Raffertie - Visual Acuity

Newly signed to renowned electronic label Ninja Tune, 21 year old London producer and DJ Raffertie has been making waves among the electronic music community for a while now with his commitment to experimentation and innovation and desire not be restricted to any one specific style or sound. Raffertie’s debut release for the label, ‘Visual Acuity’ sees him further expanding on this theme of diverse experimentation.

The opening title track immediately explodes into a barrage of glitchy sound patterns, beats, samples and all manner of strange noises all coalescing around a rising synth crescendo. There is certainly a lot of stuff going on here, it really should not work but the effect of this sensory sound assault is thrilling.

The pace drops for the rest of the EP after the title tracks frantic start and both the dubby ‘You Could Be Forgiven For That’ and ‘Twitch (It Grows and Grows)’ are more laidback, sultry tracks but still no less compelling. ‘Mimetic’ closes the EP in a similarly subtle style but its low slung groove and soulful house beats are a glorious way to finish.

2011 has seen electronic producers like Jamie XX and James Blake cross over into the mainstream and on the strength of this outstanding debut EP there is no doubt Ninja Tune’s new star signing Raffertie deserves to follow them.