Entrepreneurs - Uv Been Robbed (Joking, But Not)

Pop music that defies comparison. You might think that’s something of a contradiction, but then you most likely haven’t heard what Adam Crisp has been up to. The producer extraordinaire, a former member of Elle Milano, has carved out his own little niche, creating accessible music that is simultaneously rather unnerving and strange, but nonetheless consistently brilliant.

In a broad sense, the music on ‘Uv Been Robbed (Joking But Not)’ can be described as glitch-pop, but the EP reveals itself over time to be much more than just that. Over twelve minutes that disorientate as much as they dazzle, Crisp calls on all sorts of influences.

There’s the twisted funk of ‘Revenge Platter’, which stumbles along on a clattering beat and Crisp’s stuttering vocals. We also have the token Massive Pop Songs in the forms of closer ‘Bubblegunk’ (driven by fascinating rhythms and swooping synth melodies) and ‘Hunting Roger Rabbit’, which throws some beefed-up choruses into the equation.

At the other end of the spectrum lies the abrasiveness of ‘Six Severed Hates’, a song which features some inspired lyrics, such as these: ‘Whilst you were playing ping-pong with atomic bombs, I was in the bunker writing’. That’s quite an effective image, as it highlights the underlying tension present in the song, as the EP reaches its bleakest point.

This comes after the 5-track release’s high point ‘[Du Juste Milieu]’, an all too-short atmospheric idea that coasts along on a soaring melody and garbled, unintelligible vocals. As it is, it’s a perfect song. It’s just a shame that it isn’t longer.

Crisp has left us desperate to hear more, and that’s entirely a good thing. He’s proved himself to be an exceptional talent, so we can wait. Just don’t leave us in the lurch for too long, alright?