Decyfer "New Surroundings"

Words: Brad Stabler
Photo: Olly Clark
Label: XVI

Deceivingly bare and slyly subtle, the stripped-down house tracks from UK producer Decyfer—whose "Hoarder" b/w "Chewed Up" single released earlier this week—rely on sneaky chords and a bit of weirdness to keep listeners intrigued. "New Surroundings" might be the producer's most captivating production yet, as swaths of low end hold down a mantra-like synthline and fragmented chords try to break out of step with the groove. Decyfer's latest is taken from a forthcoming compilation curated by the fledgling XVI label, entitled Imitating Life, which is due sometime next month.