Fusing atmospherically pleasing house production over consistent afrobeat percussion, XOA's 'Way West' keeps up the tempo throughout, more akin to an atmospherically-charged carnival track than your standard four-to-the-floor house beat. ‘Way West’ is the title track off the first LP from XOA (aka Nick Tyson), who’s track record is long-established as the guitarist behind festival-favourite live act Gentlemen’s Dub Club. XOA's music is a welcome addition to the growing catalogue of afro-enthused, broken-beat-inspired house music, championed by labels such as Banana Hill and Soundway. These labels continue to flood the UK with a welcome torrent of rich, global tracks and this tune is no exception. The full LP is out in June on Five Easy Pieces. –Will Mercer