- Three years after Kingdom's last solo record, Vertical XL, Shox is the first taste of new music coming from the Fade To Mind boss this year. The title track is a layer cake of drums—marching band snares, tambourines, cheeky grime slaps and tiny explosions added for emphasis. Even the screech of a motorcycle revving its engine plays a role in the ample rhythm section. Unlike Kingdom's best tracks, however, there's no big bassline or hook to provide some wow factor.
The same is true of "Punished," an expertly produced, texturally rich drum track. All of the empty space in these tracks seems to beg for a vocalist, which is probably the point. Kingdom's spent the last few years writing and producing for singers like Kelela, whose debut album is said to be dropping next month. Their relationship has been one of the most inspired singer-producer collaborations to come out of club music in recent memory. And while the two tracks on Shox might be fierce instrumentals—or lethal DJ tools if mixed in the right context—they don't quite have enough personality to make a lasting impression.
Tracklist01. Shox
02. Punished