The Feel of Letherette: “After Dawn” album review

by Max Jones

The latest release from British duo Letherette, After Dawn, starts with a slow build in the title track. It is a sound constructed specifically for that time of day, and before the listener knows it their toes are tapping and they’re ready to take on the day. The rest of the 5-song EP serves as a perfect soundtrack for productivy, but could just as easily accompany a loungy afternoon on a beach chair.

The unassuming and inoffensive electronic beats laid down on the various remixes of “After Dawn” and “Restless” (technically the only two tracks on the EP) are peppered with quick soul samples, so the beats never get too repetitive. It’s very impressive to hear the reimagined versions courtesy of other electronic virtuosos – Bibio, Jimmy Edgar, and Barker and Baumecker – but the solid base laid down by Letherette is what gives those artists the space to showcase their skills.

“After Dawn” starts with a whimper, moves quickly into a (club) bang, and doesn’t let up until the final beats of the original “Restless” fade out a mere 25 minutes later. What it lacks in memorable moments it makes up in consistency; there are no wasted beats or annoying sound effects, just straightforward electronica the Letherette way. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.