Whispers In the Dark

Although 2012’s *Whispers in the Dark* is the debut album from Chicago’s Supreme Cuts—the electronic duo of Mike Perry and Austin Kjeultes—it plays with the assertiveness of a more seasoned project, especially in comparison to Supreme Cuts\' 2011 EP *Trouble*. Starting with the shape-shifting opener “Lessons of Darkness (Apology),” it’s evident that Perry and Kjeultes have spent the time between recordings honing their craft and their ability to mix several genres into their own signature sound. Much like London-based producer William Bevan (a.k.a. Burial), Perry and Kjeultes put ambient, house, dubstep, and two-step garage into a blender and hit the “pulse” switch. They then spread this concoction over a foundation of hip-hop beats. This is best exemplified in the outstanding “Belly,” as well as on the bookending title track, which gradually builds like a sonic snowball. When Supreme Cuts downshift into a mellower speed, they make good on their \"R&B with a winky face\" description—check out the murky “(Youngster Gone off That) Sherm.”

The Chicago duo's debut album brings together new age textures, plenty of clipped and distressed vocals, lush R&B notes, rhythms that nod to Southern hip-hop.