VA – Memories Vol. 1 (Cyanide)
Cyanide launches its debut compilation with Memories Vol. 1, a four-track EP that brings together a quartet of producers united by a shared aesthetic vision: deep house as an exercise in introspection. Far from the maximalism dominating mainstream dance floors, these cuts favour warm textures, carefully crafted harmonic progressions, and a coherent emotional arc from start to finish.
The EP opens with Quartz Girl by Parga, running at 124 BPM in D Major. A luminous track that pairs open chord voicings with a subtle, enveloping bassline, leaving ample room for the groove to breathe. Next comes Back Home by Andy Bach, dropping to C Minor at 125 BPM to deliver one of the release's darkest, most nocturnal moments: deep sub bass, spectral synthesisers, and a hypnotic cadence that echoes the finest strands of Chicago deep house.
Backward by Sinan Kaya is perhaps the most contemplative piece on the record: 120 BPM in G Minor, with a structure that evolves with near-minimalist patience, layered pads unfolding with quiet precision and organic percussion that anchors the track without dominating it. The compilation closes with Dave Pad's remix of Promise by Queemose, reinterpreting the original in Ab Minor at 124 BPM with a denser, more mysterious harmonic palette that adds a suitably weighty finale to the collection.
- EP standout: Back Home – Andy Bach
- For late-night sets: Backward – Sinan Kaya
- Entry point: Quartz Girl – Parga
Memories Vol. 1 is a confident statement of intent from Cyanide: deep house with soul, technical precision, and editorial focus. A compilation that rewards repeated listening.
