Human Endeavour Records, an offshoot of Ransom Note Records, has announced its third release, ‘Comfort Zone’, from Geneva-based producer Reda Saiarh.

Having appeared on the label’s inaugural Various Artists release, ‘Trains Of Thought’, Reda now steps up to the plate for his first solo EP on the imprint, which showcases his fresh, forward-thinking take on Belgian New Beat.

Originally born in Brussels, and now residing in Geneva where he co-runs music and cultural bar Canal 54, Reda's music draws influence from his Belgo-Moroccan heritage and formative moments spent digging through his father’s record collection, which was heavily saturated with the iconic 80s Belgian sound.

On ‘Comfort Zone’, he approaches the traditions of the genre with a completely new twist that weaves elements of progressive trance, jackin’ 90s house and Italo disco into the mix, alongside his trusty bank of signature New Beat samples.

Listen to the snippets: bit.ly/HE003Snippets

‘Keyboard Warriors’ gets things going. As Reda rightly reminds us, “they are terrible”, though this track is anything but. Exploring the impact social media can have on our relationships, a theme which rears its head several times across the EP, the opener throws all sorts of samples into the mix, from sports announcers to stuttering vocals and ghostly whispers, which ride an off-beat bass line, warm keys and a punchy kick.

Lead single ‘Ego Slaves’ follows, wasting no time charging out of the gate. Eerie vocals wash over fat, rumbling low end, gated drums and a twitching snare, accented by Reda’s trademark New Beat stabs.

At the halfway point Reda takes us down a more psychedelic path, but those stabs still stand their ground. Underpinned by a slap bass and soft, thudding drums, ‘Hunters’ is his soundtrack to your nocturnal quest, where you’re certain to meet howling wolves and unearthly figures along the way. ‘Tele Music’ continues on that same trance-inducing journey. It’s a deep subaquatic trip through amphibious sounds, haunting, whirring samples and plinking chords that suck you in and pull you under. 

‘I’m Not Your Friend’ rounds things off on a guttural note, literally. Reda cheekily samples a burp, which is used as a percussive guide alongside tinkling bells and tittering hats, while the track's title rings out over hopeful pads, a soaring metallic synth line and deep bass groove.

Reda Saiarh: “Comfort Zone is my space of creation, no words, only feelings and apprehensions. Each track explains a piece of my environment and experiences. I also focused on the impact of social media on today's relationship. I feel free to think, produce and share music. All combined, you get a part of myself which transmits deep interpretations. Welcome to my comfort zone, feel safe and enjoy!”

Artwork by Sam Bailey.
Mastering by Leaf Troup.