The talents of Malta's Neil Hales are on full display for this EP for UK-based Gated. As Acidulant he's released on labels like I Love Acid and Orson, producing - let's face it - pretty banging electronic acid workouts.

This four-tracker limited to just 100 copies showcases the different sides of his sound, with the A side ripper FunKT10n kicking things off with a heads-down party starter filled with acid stabs, before giving way to QuantumX, which is deeper but no less dancefloor in its intent, with an insistent bubbling bassline and dreamy keys.

The B side brings out Acidulant's melodic side, with the EP's title track Sonic Expansion including possibly the most infectious 303 earworm you'll have heard for some time, while Terrformatika rounds things off with a spaced-out acid machine jam.[info sheet from distr.]