DC Salas returns to his own Higher Hopes imprint with the ‘Pixelated Dream Theory’ EP. A club-centric, no nonsense four tracker, the EP is a collage of influences drawn from various strands of dance music knitted together in Salas’ imitable style.

Kicking off proceedings we have the aptly named ‘Acid Breathe’, a brooding number punctuated by spooky synth work and a gnarly (you guessed it) acid line that sets the tone for a release loaded with peak time madness. Next we have the title track ‘Pixelated Dream Theory’, a track that nods back to the rich heritage of the Belgian underground, effortlessly fusing some of the key motifs of New Beat & EBM with a modern perspective.

The B-side opens with a secret weapon of Eclair Fifi's ‘Blaes’. Named after the street Fuse is situated on, it is crafted with the institution’s dancefloor in mind. A bassbin warping, head spinning affair that’s sure to be a critical part of DJs sets throughout spring and beyond into summer. For the EP’s final stanza we have the impressive ‘Phased Dance’. A suitable closer, the track leans slightly more into house than previous offering with flourishes of progressive, balearic all whilst maintaining the chugging fundamentals of the EP, teasing whats to follow with Salas’ planning a new album for the second half of 2024.[info sheet from distr.]