'Soondaze EP' by Dragon Trax

"What we do not say will destroy us"

The haunting and somewhat prophetic words that accompany the latest release from Dragon Trax paint an elegantly vivid picture of the need to address our own demons, regardless of the challenges that may raise.

As proponents for "the art of electronic music", the Sheffield-based label have offered a varied and dynamic selection of music across the wide expanse of the genre.  With releases that have heralded the infectious dancefloor beats of DJ Soo, JG Stockton's 90s-inspired dance aesthetic, the otherworldly electronics of AJ&JG or the sublime sounds of Socool, the Dragon Trax label has been propelled by a small and close-knit ensemble of friends, DJs and musicians that have found an incredibly supportive avenue for a litany of their musical endeavours.  

Across the releases of their burgeoning catalogue, the label's latest EP offering - 'Soondaze' - sees Dragon Trax take a decidedly bold and creative step into imaginative new territory... a four-track release that features an A-list assembly of the label's stalwarts including label founder and multi-faceted artist in his own right Andy Stockton, Vancouver-based DJ, producer and vocalist Socool and Scotland-based electronic musician Ireless.  The works of author, painter and musician Mark SaFranko serve as something of a springboard or catalyst for the project with each of the EP's tracks each exploring the context of things falling apart and trying to piece together what's left - it's a notion beautifully captured in the version of 'Sophie' present here which was initially created hours after SaFranko's mother had passed away.   

While 'Soondaze' embraces these aspects of loss and self-doubt, it's still a project that desperately pines for remnants of hope.  Through Andy Stockton's existential spoken word narratives that weave from hard truths to transcendental releases, in true Pandora's Box fashion the EP's subtext openly acknowledges that the night is always darkest before the dawn.  And on that note, musically 'Soondaze' is bolstered by a fitting musical soundscape that veers from moody trip-hop to poetic ambience.

As in this article's opening quote, if what we don't say can destroy us then the honesty that 'Soondaze' strives for is ultimately the rebuttal.  A bold and compelling project from Dragon Trax and one that will stand tall amongst their ever-expanding catalogue.