Grade 10 mark first year with GTI004 from Unslaved

Grade 10 International launched last May as a new artist collective presenting a raw, unified vision for their output. Focussed on creating incredible art and genre-defying music, the Grade 10 statement has always been strong - no gimmicks, just consistently good music and art. Now about to reach their very first birthday, Grade 10 are proud to announce a three track EP from yet another enigmatic GTI family member, Unslaved, out as a vinyl-only offering on May 2nd 2016. Going from strength to strength in the past year, GTI004 is the embodiment of the outsider Grade 10 vision - there are no rules.

Unslaved’s GTI004 is a journey through three unconventional club tracks; hear genres entwined, sounds broken down and set free in the most spell-binding way. First track ‘Punjab’ is an eight minute creeper built from insane drum patterns and layered with an eerie, yet blissful melody. With an almost ambient quality, Punjab is a off-centre yet perfect. On the flip, B1 ‘Apogee’ is a dark masterpiece with the rawest, yet most striking of characters. A track that wouldn’t have been out of place in early dubstep or grime circles with a spine-tingling bass line, ’Apogee’ has that sparse, stripped-back feel where listeners discover hidden elements on each listen. Exploring the murkiest corners of electronica, ‘Apogee’ is an intense mover that sets a high standard for the release.

‘TTA’ makes up the final number on the ‘Punjab’ EP’s trio. Just as dark as ‘Apogee’ and just as eerie as ‘Punjab’, ‘TTA’ casually switches from genre to genre and could easily be the soundtrack to a video-game (on acid.) Mind-bending build-ups, mystery samples and wavy breakdowns make ‘TTA’ a twisting and turning journey through the underworld of dance. Check the premiere at Thump here.

Eight very different artists make up the Grade 10 collective, each with their own individual style and personality that comes across in each Grade 10 release. Classic Coke, Forever, Prayer, 8Ball, Loosewomen, Nokia Boys, Kollaps, and Unslaved himself make up the family, with an in-house designer who is responsible for the striking aesthetic associated with the label. Since Grade 10’s debut release in May 2015, the group have been turning heads with their vision, born from being heavily influenced by nostalgic cult genres that have shaped our underground. Focussed on collaboration between members, Grade 10’s purist attitude to production gives them a raw, DIY quality, and gives them total control over their output.