Pitchfork

This is the first of what will be a regular series of posts featuring tracks discussed in some of Pitchfork's columns. Our hope is that we can introduce you to tracks and genres you may not be familiar with, as well as highlight some of the (if I may say) terrific writing happening below the fold every week. We start things off with the latest dispatch from Martin Clark in London, who writes our The Month in: Grime/Dubstep column. Here is what he had to say about new tracks from Peverelist and Lewi White and Ghetto. Martin's full piece can be found here.

"Punch Drunk has had releases from Bristol stalwart, Rob Smith plus new producers Monkeysteak and Gatekeeper. But it was Peverelist's own single 'The Grind', that caught the zeitgeist late last year with its galloping Mala-esque kicks and Basic Channel influenced vibe. He's since remixed Pole for future release.

"But it's his new single, 'Roll With the Punches' that really catches the ear. Wistful and sparse, it deploys a simple melody for what seems an age, harking back to the earlier, more meditative era of dubstep circa 2005 and early Mystikz material. Then, seemingly ages into the tune, a heartbreak theme is unleashed. Peverelist dropped it on Sub FM recently and had HENCH MC, Jakes drawing for the reload. "

"By far and away the most exciting grime tune this month comes from two former NASTY Crew members, Lewi White and Ghetto. Entitled 'Commandments', and co-produced by Bliss, it breaks into hip-hop's sacred church, steals a piece of a classic, and then roughs it up rudely, UK style.

"Alongside Durrty Goodz, Trim and Skepta, Ghetto is one of the four or so best MCs in grime right now, his energy and venom combining in a unique flow that's mesmerising to listen to. But while he's been on countless hype tunes, 'Commandments' takes him into darker territories. He breaks down the rules of the road, how to avoid jail and make moves. It's electrifying, as Lewi pings Ghetto's vocals around with effects and delays not normally deployed on grime vocals. 'I think a lot of grime producers limit themselves,' says Lewi of the vocals, 'but I listen to everything.'"