Oxy: Like U Used To (feat. Roni Kaspi) – Single Review

Digital

French electronic artist Oxy returns with his latest single, ‘Like U Used To’ featuring the dynamic drumming of Roni Kaspi. Bringing together inventive musicality, rich cinematic synths and Kaspi’s expressive, high energy drumming, the track is a radiant example of Oxy’s musical depth. 

Oxy, the alias of accomplished musician Auxane Cartigny, has already made his mark on the Parisian music scene, collaborating with notable bands and hosting events through the label Jazztronic. With his debut EP Freequation released earlier this year, Oxy’s talent for merging classical piano, jazz, and percussion into soundscapes comparable to Olafur Arnolds and Jon Hopkins is striking and showcases not only his abilities as a producer but his feel for emotional depth. The new single continues this trend whilst highlighting the more energetic side of his sound, amplified by the addition of Roni Kaspi’s live drums. 

Opening with pitched, cut up vocals samples, thick, warming synth pads and sub heavy bass the track quickly picks up a sense of purpose and drive as the drums enter. Progressing through some tasteful, glitchy leads, the track elegantly layers muted samples and atmospherics, ebbing and flowing towards an explosive climax of intense drum fills and cinematic production. 

At once melancholic and chilled but also providing a sense of energy that could easily make it a dancefloor filler, Like U Used To balances its musicality brilliantly. Through the track, Oxy showcases the same IDM feel and blend of live instrumentation and electronics of artists like Bonobo and Caribou that really makes him stand out and sets an exciting tone for future releases.

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All words by Simon Lucas-Hughes. More writing by Simon Lucas-Hughes can be found at his author’s archive.