At this point, it’s pretty safe to say that the UK bass scene (and its sonically similar tendrils around the globe) is suffering from a glut of artists. Just a few years after people first started uttering things like “post-dubstep” (and quickly therafter began making qualifications for doing so), it seems that new producers are constantly coming out of the woodwork, all of them with their own permutation of the sound. And although a lot of exciting and interesting music has been (and continues to be) created by a select number of producers, there are plenty of also-rans out there. For a while, Throwing Snow could be safely filed into the latter category. The young UK producer wasn’t turning out bad music by any means; his various tracks and remixes—many of which have been posted here on XLR8R—were perfectly enjoyable, but none of them really stood out as particularly unique or special. However, with the release of new single “Shadower” b/w “Spectrum,” it seems possible that Throwing Snow has made the proverbial leap.

Both sides of the 12″ are impressive, but “Shadower”—which also has a cool video—is especially strong. Built upon a rather simple, shuffling drumbeat, the song slowly brings in spooky synth tones and ominous vocal loops, creating something akin in mood to Demdike Stare or a John Carpenter soundtrack. The track’s principal melody, which sounds something like a steel drum, has been pitched and filtered just enough to make it sound alien. There is a lot happening on “Shadower,” yet Throwing Snow doesn’t take the time to smooth out all the layers, which somehow creates an even more unsettling—and compelling—listen.

More straightforward is “Sanctum,” which pairs a fairly rigid 2-step beat with some ghostly vocal snippets, a growling bassline, and a driving violin melody. Once again, the whole affair sounds as though it’s been hastily assembled, insofar that the song certainly hasn’t been overworked or overproduced. Yet it somehow works, as these Throwing Snow offerings exude a real looseness and a raw, organic feel. More importantly, they also represent his best work yet.