next up on aus music is the welcome return of a good friend and label regular - the ever ascendant marquis hawkes. having released 4 eps on aus thus far, he makes his return in the form of a blazing, floor-focused 2 track ep which sits neatly with previous outings on the label. ‘the basement is burning’ takes it’s name from a near-fateful experience stemming from an electrical fire in hawkes’ home which culminated in him and his family being evacuated from a 5th floor balcony. having ensured the safety of his family, he made a dash across berlin to make a 10am live show, a few days later with the power back on ‘the basement is burning’ was born. the title track kicks off with splashy, live drum samples that are armoured with electronic layers before a feel-good piano lick glides into the mix. bursting synths are introduced before ducking strings chords bring the track to an ecstatic conclusion. ‘tower block boogie’ then tumbles short funk samples through bold drums as a fervid sense of tension burns throughout.