The Astrodynamics EP further demonstrates the shared intuition for rhythm and texture that Chicago duo Hakim Murphy and Ike Release have jointly showcased as Innerspace Halflife. Arising on the white label Episodes series, you can’t help but feel impressed from the lead track “Metropolitan” which stealthily expands into a deep groove of analogue patterns and spacious, horizon wide waves of luxuriant synths whose hypnotic powers can’t fully woo your attention away from the excellent procession of rasping drum sounds that drive proceedings forward. Flip over and the tables are turned, with the swampy textures of “Hidden Mist” looking to intoxicate from the off, raw percussion poised tautly fighting for prominence amid the growing presence of other worldly, cosmic melodies. “Cold Fusion” presents a darker, more scattered sounding side to the Innerspace Halflife palette, with nervous jazz influenced keys darting in between the crawlspace between the loose, crunchy drums.

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