Illum Sphere - The Plan Is Dead

When the sky turns black, why do I feel so blue?

2010 has been a hell of a year for Illum Sphere. Ryan Hunn a.k.a Illum Sphere has been rushed of his feet, not only is he the co-creator of Manchester’s (and probably the UK’s) freshest club night Hoya:Hoya but he also claimed a spot in the much sort after Red Bull Music Academy at the beginning of 2010.

In between his hectic schedule he managed to drop his massive Titan EP for Martyn’s 3024 label whilst also releasing two EP’s via Fat City Recordings. The first of this two-part release being the excellent Long Live the Plan and now to conclude proceedings he has released the much anticipated The Plan Is Dead.

The EP opens with the psychedelic Hip-Hop sounds of One For Dimlite with Illum Sphere tipping his cap to the much respected Swiss producer. With its swirling vocal samples set against its relaxed Hip-Hop beat, One For Dimlite is a great opening for the listener to ease themselves into.

Next on the agenda is Diablo Day Out, a futuristic take on Hip-Hop in a similar vein to artists such as Flying Lotus. Based around an awkward yet appropriate melody Diablo Day Out shows why Illum Sphere is a master of the leftfield Hip-Hop sound.

Supercharged begins with its upbeat shuffling percussion, which then collides with a deep and futuristic bounce. This then morphs into a synth ridden beast which reminds of the LuckyMe member Hudson Mohawke at his best.

Illum Sphere then takes us down a dark and dystopian path with An Old Escape (Kill Them Kill). Starting out with a tribal sounding introduction the track is then drenched in dark synths and heavy beats to create a menacing dancefloor cut.

The EP concludes with Aftermath which carries on from where An Old Escape left off. With a deep synth bassline juxtaposed against a Sci-Fi inspired melody, Aftermath clatters against a distorted drum n bass rhythm to finish things off nicely.

Although I have likened his sound to artists such as Flying Lotus and HudMo I use these names only as a reference point as I feel that Illum Sphere is making music way ahead of its time. The plan may be dead but that isn't to say it didn’t work.

The Plan Is Dead is available now physically and digitally via Fat City Recordings.

Listen to EP opener One For Dimlite below:

One For Dimlite by Illum Sphere