Heavy Drug

By: UNKLE
Label: Surrender All
Written by: R_EXile
Rating: 8/10

A key track on the Global Underground 37 Bangkok compilation, UNKLE’s euphoric affair Heavy Drug (Surrender Sounds Mix) has reappeared in the form of 4 remixes by King Unique, Steve Mac and Future Beat Alliance.

Keeping the ecstatic and driving synths of the original, King Unique aka Matt Thomas, who is still going strong after the departure of former production partner Matthew Roberts, adds his own twist with the tough tech beats and industrial riffs.

The remix by Steve Mac has a darker and colder feeling, as he shifts the focus to his bold, industrial synth riffs and stabs, and leaves the hands-in-the-air euphoria at the main breakdown. Without the euphoric synths, his dub mix gets even darker and tougher.

The rework by UK producer Future Beat Alliance then wraps up the EP by restoring some tenderness and floatiness, with its catchy melodic layers interwoven with the main synths of the original to render a colourful and dreamy soundscape.

Nothing groundbreaking here, but these 4 big room tracks should work pretty well on the dancefloor. If you’re a fan of the original, then this release on James Lavelle's very own Surrender All imprint should be useful in various sets of yours.