Hector Plimmer - Duality (2024)

Duality is the new EP from renowned South London producer, drummer, DJ, and graphic artist Hector Plimmer. The EP opens with ‘Water Flows’, a gentle meandering piano loop that slowly bubbles away and evolves over time, giving way to ‘Joy & Sadness’. Playing with the contrast that fuels much of this release, the track represents moments of joy or happiness that can be found in times of sadness. In the five years since his last release, these opposite emotions have played a prominent role in the changes in Hector’s life and in the wider world. Most notably around the birth of his son in 2021 and the death of his dear friend and collaborator Matt Gordon (Pie Eye Collective) in 2023. “This duality of birth and death has prompted an unexpected new outlook on my creative process, with a goal to embrace the act of creating as much, if not more, than the outcome or reception at its core.
“I present this EP as an offering, an expression of my creativity. This is also a stepping off point for me. An excuse to share my art without self-judgment and a validation for me to continue to do so freely going forward. Sadness can be found in times of joy just as joy can grow from grief in unexpected ways. I love my son and I miss my friend. I honour them in all my creative endeavours”.
‘Under’ is rooted in driving drums and a deep rolling sub bass line, drawn out guttural chords slowly emerge to expose the danciest track on the upcoming EP. As it progresses the chords become more pronounced, creating a shift in the track’s energy. Fast moving generative pips and melodies begin to weave their way through, creating an upward motion and carrying the music forward. “Something about this track reminds me of coming up through the ground, through the soil and dirt to emerge through the undergrowth”.
The meandering ‘Grief Loop’ settles into this space, pausing on the feeling of being stuck in time, revisiting lost moments through a soft lens of nostalgia. ‘Tipping Point’ exists in a similar liminal space - a vast expanse between tracks - as Hector’s creative process steps out into something vaguely familiar but slightly unnerving.
‘Playtime’ epitomises Hector’s musings on the balance between light and dark. The ethereal, organic sounds of Laura Misch’s voice and saxophone are chopped up and re-sampled into a living, breathing force. The drums sit in contrast – erratic and driving; “they are generative and unpredictable, creating an air of tenseness”, Hector adds. The track drives forward with an underlying tenderness that suggests it could all fall apart at any moment.
The EP closes with ‘Soft Laughing’, a dubbed-out, textured trip. The bass is a soft rumble that sounds like a villain laughing as light clicking noises flicker above everything like insect wings. The track closes with an impending sneakiness and anticipation – building momentum for what’s to come from Hector Plimmer as he moves forward.