TCTS – Games

LABEL: MTA Records
GENRE: Electronic, Deep House
RELEASED: 2014
MP3 DOWNLOAD SOURCE: WEB
BITRATE: 320kbps / 44100kHz / Joint Stereo
TRACKS: 4
SIZE: 40.60 megs

1. Games 3:40
2. You 3:44
3. Trust 4:18
4. Forward 5:11

Manchester-born and now London-based TCTS aka Sam O’Neill is back with a brand new EP for MTA Records, the burgeoning label helmed by Chase & Status. The 4-track ‘Games’ EP follows the ‘These Heights’ EP on Greco-Roman, which saw widespread support from the powerhouses of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra including Annie Mac, MistaJam, Cameo and more.

TCTS has a habit of picking featured vocalists who are on the brink of success and ‘Games’ is no exception, with sassy new talent K Stewart kicking things off on the title track, belting it out from the get go. Assertive, strutting vocals herald effervescent percussion, lush synth work and chopped male vox for an irresistible start to the EP.

‘You’ features Sam Sure – soon to release his own material on Black Butter Records – and was recently premiered by big supporter Annie Mac and leading US blog Stereogum as the first taster of this release. A little more subdued that the opening track it’s a bittersweet emotive take on an electronic love song, Sure repeating “All I want is you” over TCTS’ signature subtle, layered production. ‘Trust’ takes it back to the club, a chunky beat and classic hi-hat propelled by metallic synth stabs, while rolling closer ‘Forward’ is house music at its very best.

TCTS first came to everyone’s attention with his debut EP ‘Hands’ on the Cool Kid Music label, and following the success of that release Bondax snapped up his underground hit ‘1997’ for their fledgling imprint Just Us. The track soon landed on the BBC Radio 1 playlist, and O’Neill has been on the rise ever since.