We haven’t had any chiptunes on Gratisvibes for some time. Looks like I’m the resident 8-bit reviewer in here! Like Bitshifter, who I reviewed a couple of months back, Rabato primarily uses the Nintendo Game Boy to make some rocking tunes. However, where Bitshifter’s music sounds like it could easily belong in some the games released for the system, Rabato’s tracks are darker and sound like lo-fi dance music versions. There is really some innovative use of white noise in this EP!

In fact, the generous use of white noise adds to that “crunchy” feel which makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over. Although the elements throughout the EP don’t really change (arpeggiated pulses, etc.) due to the limited sound palette of the technology employed, Rabato has put together some very diverse songs, ranging from the mid tempo 4/4 of Pushups to the hyperspeed rave madness of Simachip.

Standout track: I really like the intro part of AssSlap. The sequencing of the rapid fire beats sound a lot like Squarepusher!

netlabel: mp3death