Greek label Not Now Records returns with a hybrid EP by Poor J’Darr, blending UK Bass, Club and Grime
A high-voltage encounter between Athens, Thessaloniki and British sound
Not Now Records, a label based in Thessaloniki (Greece), makes its big comeback on 28 November with Poor J’Darr‘s EP Over The Top. Following a remarkable debut release on Madam X’s Kaizen label, the Athenian wonderkid continues his ascent and unleashes a hybrid sound where UK Bass, Club, Dancehall, and Grime collide with precision. The record bears witness to the emergence of a Greek scene that is connected to the changes in global club music, while asserting a strong local identity.
Throughout the four original tracks, Poor J’Darr demonstrates a unique talent for manipulating tension, working with percussive material and playing with electronic textures, alternating between abrasive passages, syncopated grooves and electrically charged atmospheres. From the raw energy of saturated basement anthems to futuristic Dancehall constructions that shake up rhythmic reference points, via killer Grime-fuelled drops, the EP unfolds an intense and kinetic journey, designed above all for sound systems. The project closes with an inspired and melodic reinterpretation by Akito (UK/JPN) — a long-time member of the Not Now Records family and NTS Radio resident — who offers a dreamy conclusion by softening the contours of the original track.
Polyamory Tool, a heavy and hypnotic riddim
At the heart of the project is ‘Polyamory Tool’, unveiled exclusively on Couvre x Chefs via this article. A percussive 100 BPM track, this DJ tool stands out for its massive riddim, combining polyrhythmic world percussion, metallic hats and sliding bass supported by warrior vocals that strike like incantations. Designed for pure effectiveness, the track transforms tension into immediate energy: a perfect precision weapon for the club, designed to pivot a set at the critical moment. Instantly recognisable, ‘Polyamory Tool’ stands out as one of the EP’s peaks of intensity and further demonstrates Poor J’Darr’s ability to reinvent the codes of the modern banger.
Pre-order Over The Top by Poor J’Daar on Bandcamp, released on 28 November on Not Now Records.
