A change of direction for Exillon (Jay Fields), several years after his album The Keening Dithers. This time moving into club territory, OK To Dance is devoid of the subtle IDM prevalent on Fields’ previous glitch-based sound, instead it’s a side swerving acid/electro album, with some marching techno beats.

Although tracks such as Hairyback Acid and T11RMX2 are cleverly produced and should cut the mustard on the dance floor, I’m not so sure about the rest of It’s Ok To Dance. Techno handclaps and the sound of 303 dominate the album, but much of the music – although undeniably listenable – is actually slightly slow-paced and rather motoric.

Regardless, Office Work has really nice electro house feel to it, whilst Joqav2 has a malevolent, seedy edge and a highly atmospheric aura – even if it peters out rather dejectedly. It’s a shame these tracks couldn’t form the basis of the album rather than stand out on a limb.

There’s much to admire about It’s OK To Dance, it’s intelligently produced, bright and agile, but by the same token occasionally sounds rather over-efficient and sanitary. Fields does not appear to be entirely comfortable creating music to dance to, which means the album lacks cohesiveness and tends to sit awkwardly between electronica/techno and acid; even individual tracks sometimes struggle to stay on course throughout their duration.

Ultimately, however, this is an experimental offering that whilst not wholly successful still manages to produce some decent tunes and retro acid rhythms.