Dark energy

"Dark Energy has all the hallmarks of footwork-its frenzied pacing, arrhythmic kick drums, a graphic command of blank space-executed with clear-eyed self-determination. This gives the album an opaque, thoughtful quality ... With the exception of vocal snippets, which appear frequently, Jlin doesn't bother with traditional sampling. She's generated her own instrumentation: from the winding, symphonic piano loop that opens the album on "Black Ballet" and the atonal moan of a Chinese erhu violin on "Unknown Tongues" to the guttural synths that skim the bottom of "Ra". Like Jlin it's unconventional, particularly within footwork".

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"Based not in Chicago but neighbouring Gary, Indiana, she's developed a musical dialect that sets her apart from her footwork peers. For one thing, she mostly foregoes sampling in favour of abrasive digital synthesis. For another, her use of rhythm is unique. Much of footwork's twitchy funk comes from the way different grooves compete for dominance. Jlin favours just one rolling triplet feel, which can stomp along mercilessly or break apart into a mess of whirring tom-toms and hi-hats. The effect is often apocalyptic".

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