Kode9 & the Spaceape: Black Sun - review

Dubstep pioneer and doctor of philosophy Steve Goodman, aka Kode9, is also an impressive curator as boss of the Hyperdub imprint. The release of the 5: Five Years of Hyperdub compilation in 2009 felt like the closing of a chapter; since then, Goodman has steered the label through the British electronic underground while also carving out its own niche within it. His own music has also transformed: while 2006's Memories of the Future captured the nocturnal smokiness of traditional dubstep, Black Sun is more about richly textured, pitch-shifting synths and spidery rhythmic workouts. It's often engaging, but the way it discomfits is rather expected, a well-worn sonic language of alienation and dystopia. The Spaceape is on electric form on Am I, but more often just hits keywords (darkest fears, anxiety, wars) through pursed lips. Black Sun is more than adequate – but compared to the artists Kode9 has brought to prominence (Ikonika, Scratcha DVA, Funkystepz, Ill Blu), falls a touch short in terms of surprising ideas.