Andrew Veeder on October 31st, 2013

0

Chino Hills’ Vex Ruffin is set to release his self-titled full-length on Nov. 12 via Stones Throw, who signed him after getting an unsolicited demo in the mail (the only artist the label has acquired that way). Combining a variety of influences including primitive electronica, hip-hop, psychedelia and new wave, Ruffin creates understated, beat-driven music with a wide range of interesting textures. His minimalist style flirts with a variety of genres, but is hard to pin down because it never commits to one in particular. This is evident in his newest single “Prime Of My Life,” a mellowed-out and mid-tempo dance track that fuses 303 drums, a simple but catchy bassline, samples and brooding vocals, like Kraftwerk with a West Coast vibe. This should go over well as he takes his three-piece band on a European tour for the rest of the year.

||| Stream: “Prime Of My Life”

||| Live: Vex Ruffin plays tonight at the Bootleg for “A Stones Throw Halloween” with Folerio (Peanut Butter Wolf), Pyramid Vritra and Chrome Canyon.