Morroco based artist Anas M starts his own vinyl label with a diverse four track EP. Each exploration taps into a range of dance floor moods, expressed through an elegant and minimalist lens that encourages atmospheres to develop gradually over subtle, yet buoyant beats.
Here we dive into the most peak time pick in the premiered ‘Mission Possible’. There’s a fizzing feeling of optimism oozing out of the track, wrapping a fiery acid bass around nimble percussion and series of joyous melodies.
Classic 909 drums build momentum with a stripped back beat of sharp rides and a piercing clap eventually welcoming a funky western-like guitar to complete the hopeful mood. There’s almost a freshness you could label to the likes of Daft Punk’s early tracks, moulding a relatable and uplifting feeling through clever sampling.
‘Element 115’ opens the record on a deeper tip, placing a neat sub bass beneath lush, swimming pads glossing overhead. There’s a similar positive vibe to the track, whilst leaning into a deeper and more emotive territory.
The B-side dips into dense dub territory with ‘Dubass’ and it’s sultry vocal trip. It’s deep, dubby house music gasping for a big sound system. ‘Bossa Nova’ returns to slick sampling with a heavily swung weapon littered with funky samples of wah guitars and slippy vocal exerts.
This debut vinyl marks a significant moment for Worst Date Records, a label that’s been quietly building an impressive catalogue on Bandcamp with 37+ releases from the likes of Tom Constant, Mahar and Gisco. While the digital output has been flowing steadily, there’s something special about committing these four tracks to wax. It’s a statement of intent, a physical manifestation of the label’s vision to champion minimal house in its purest forms whilst giving space to artists carving out their own lanes within the genre.
Founded by Anas M, Worst Date Records has always operated with a clear mission: providing a platform for emerging talent in minimal house, focusing on artists who might otherwise slip through the cracks of an over saturated market. The label’s aesthetic leans into the understated and the carefully crafted, music that rewards patience and doesn’t need to shout to make an impact. It’s about those subtle shifts in groove, the way a well-placed sample can transform a track, and the kind of productions that reveal new layers with each listen.
This first pressing feels like the natural progression for a label that’s spent time nurturing its identity through digital releases. The four tracks work as a cohesive narrative, each one complementing the others whilst standing strong on its own. From the peak time euphoria of ‘Mission Possible’ through to the more introspective moments across the EP, there’s a thoughtfulness to the sequencing that speaks to Anas M’s understanding of how dance music should unfold, both on the dance floor and in more intimate listening settings.
Buy the record at deejay.de.
More info on Anas M
Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Instagram
More info on Worst Date Records
Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Instagram
