Nobody understands the feeling of working hard for success more than Barnsley-born producer Daley Padley, or as you may know him, Hot Since 82. Cited by many as one of the ‘breakthrough’ acts of 2012, for Daley last year was but another chapter in his long and relentless quest for success: a perennial battle between his own perfectionism and the ever-changing demands of the Underground House scene. Daley sees his arrival as one of the UK’s most exciting prospects not as an overnight success, but a practise he has been honing and remodeling for little over 12 years. So self-critical is Daley in his nature, his dissatisfaction with his own productions and dwindling creativity led to him to a 2 year hiatus: a period which seems to have had a profound effect on his artistic vision.
On the back of Daley’s Beatport-topping remix of Yousef’s ‘Beg’, it is with no surprise that ‘Mr. Drive’ comes as one of the most anticipated dance releases of 2013 thus far. Taking us on a pumping reverb-drenched journey through the soundscape that is Hot Since 82: the punchy kick contrasts harmoniously with the warm rising pad sounds and crisp hi-hats. All this entwined neatly with an eery synth ‘cackle’ and relentless pumping bass melody, we are presented with a panoramic version of what hard work and devotion can lead to. Hot Since 82 isn’t just ‘getting it right’; he’s taking elements of everything that was great about UK House music in 2012 and re-written the manuscript. Moving to Leeds seems to have been the new lease of life that was needed to propel Daley as one of the leading lights of the flourishing UK underground dance scene and the working partnership of Daley and Noir seems to be a match made in heaven.
Words By: Charlie Burley