The "Masks/The Valley" 12" evokes warm currents of hope hovering above desolate, urban sonic scenery. "Masks" unapologetically makes use of the complete definitive dub techno toolset, being driven by a unrelenting yet gentle 4/4 kick, awash with abyssal dub chords. A left turn is taken when it comes to composition, however... the chord progression is in perfect balance between wistful melancholy and untethered euphoria, with Troy cleverly borrowing from trance in his use of filter cutoff to softly lean more toward one or the other. The vocal cuts depart from usual contemporary trappings of either going helium or deepthroat... instead, they are very human, sparse and elegantly understated.

On the flipside, "The Valley" aims to be an outstanding DJ tool, with a consistent percussive workout, drenched in chilling dub pulses every other bar. A profoundly autumnal, goosebumps-inducing number.

Eyes closed, ears at peak receptiveness for this one. Sweet dreams.