[review] STL - 51-degrees North (Something Records)

Artist: STL
Release: 51-degrees North
Label: Something Records
Digital Out: Now (4/16/11)

While the release itself is nothing new by any means, Something Records releases 51-degrees Northin digital format by label founder Stephan Laubner (STL). For anyone that has been paying attention to deep electronic music for the past decade, STL is a name you have probably become properly acquainted. For DJs looking to add a bit more depth to their sets, STL releases often come packed with a grip of tools that work in numerous ways, from layering to loop-ready snippets of sound. 51-degrees North features the mysterious percussion and chords of Inner Silence, an amalgamation of lo-fi sounds and sensible production. The packed loops are not relative to the lead track on the EP, but listeners will still find that warm signature sound of Stefan emits from each minute-long track. Paperboy is the only other full-length tune on the release, and its purpose lies somewhere between the live tool mindset and a standalone song. The grainy feel to 51-degrees North's digital release remains true to its previous vinyl counterpart, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to obtain individual tracks off of the release without having to rip the tracks themselves. Whereas certain digital releases do not seem as fitting, STL proves himself a worthy candidate of releasing digital EPs of past records.