Australian newcomer Jamie Lane has dropped an addictive new house release in the form of ‘EZ’. The first thing the tune demonstrates is a detailed, delicate hand for production; the hi-hat is crisp and clear, while the snare is intentionally distant and almost lo-fi. This thin texture combined with quiet chords allows for the lead vocal to take centre stage. We quickly move beyond this, though, and into a section of deep sub-bass and trippy manipulations of the vocal samples that persist throughout much of the rest of the heavily side-chained track. On the inspiration behind the release, Lane states that “the lyrics are about the anxiety of being unable to establish a true connection with someone you have feelings for due to a sense of detachment in the moment”. This darker side to the track contrasts its hypnotic, smooth groove. ‘EZ’ proves that Lane still has an ear for quality after his impressive debut EP, Minimal Haze, last year. - Dan Peeke