Once known as Laurence Blake, then as CITIZEN, the revered UK producer has subtlety added an extra "n" onto his moniker, and added more than an extra hit to his sound.
Teaming up with former Azari & III member SYF, CITIZENN's newest track BE is a thumping, hard-hitting, late-night house track raising the bar for exciting new things to come!
Expansive, dramatic electronics flow perfectly alongside the soulful, passionate vocals of SYF, the trademark retro-futuristic sounds CITIZENN is known for are still evident despite the slight name change. However, citing a more "mature and harder-edged approach to production" as the reason for the extra "n", BE highlights just that.
Darker, more direct and definitely a more matured sound, BE is an exceptional first release for Blake's newest moniker, showing off his new name and new style in all it's gritty glory.
Surprisingly though, BE comes just a week after Blake released Jaded - still under the original CITIZEN. The differences between the two are as evident as the similarities, and both show Blake seriously stepping up his production game. BE is to be released alongside remixes from CITIZENN himself, labelmate RALPH LAWSON, and HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR.
Having already accomplished quite a lot under his original moniker, releasing material on MADTECH and LOVE FEVER as well as being named DJ MAG's 'Best Breakthrough Artist' in 2013, this track sees Blake with his strongest, and most impressive work yet. BE is to be released later this month on 2020VISION, and will definitely lead to even bigger things than CITIZENN has already seen come his way.
Words by Emma Jones.
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