Morgan Hislop

A talented visual artist in his own right, Morgan Hislop has quietly built up a reputation as one of the unsung heroes of London’s electronic music scene. Through his graphic work, he has helped bring to life the visions of artists such as AJ Tracey, UNIIQU3 and DJ Earl, while building up notoriety as one of the city’s key purveyors of effervescent, day-glo music that ignites dancefloors. Today, Morgan Hislop begins a new era; switching his approach to finally step out into the spotlight with his debut single proper, ‘About 2 Be’, featuring London-based vocalist OhEm.

A track that builds on the exuberant energy of his earlier club compositions, ‘About 2 Be’ takes Hislop’s deft ability to make an unconventional rhythmic pattern feel accessible and adapts it for a pop setting. Integrating playful yelps in amongst the song’s percussive pattern, delicate melodic tones slide in and out of focus as OhEm’s vocal, in itself a stunning centrepiece as she ruminates on the anticipation and excitement of someone’s first night with someone new. This translates in the song’s production, with Hislop taking his avant-garde approach and applying it to the composition, integrating multiple movements and a hi-octane crescendo for an idiosyncratic take on the modern pop format.