Emerging with a distinct amalgam of drum and bass, Detroit techno, and UK hardcore—exemplified in releases on Sneaker Social Club and Ghostly International—X-Altera expands further into d&b territory for Groundswell EP. The appearance of a familiar breakbeat on "Run" harkens back to the merciless drum patterns he sequenced as SK-1 with Soundmurderer for their cult jungle label, Rewind! Records. The brisk tenor of "Groundswell" and the sinister "Eye Saw It" fortify the EP with sharp futurism. Closing out, "Citybound TV" sets adrift on a heavy dose of downtempo sampledelia.
Groundswell EP is the first release of 2024 by X-Altera, alias of Tadd Mullinix (Dabrye, Charles Manier, JTC) following the single "Motor Murk" in 2023.