Phonophage is a producer from Cincinnati who is part of the Fort Ancient Records collective. His last solo effort was an EP called What Waits in the Woods, which came out last October. Now he’s back with another EP, Bakewell.

At first listen, you might think that this is just another downtempo instrumental hip hop release. While you wouldn’t be completely wrong, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t listen a little closer to hear all of the interesting ways Phonophage is complicating the subgenre. The EP opens with the gorgeous one-two punch of “Bakewell Summer” and “Bakewell Winter,” which feature a really gentle touch with the melodic elements, really lush and full arrangements, and interesting percussive elements. On top of all of that, “Bakewell Winter” introduces us to another Cincinnati talent in vocalist Blasé. She has an incredibly strong voice with an excellent sense of melody, but never overplaying her hand. It’s a less-is-more approach that works incredibly well alongside Phonophage’s production. From there, we get West Coast electro-boogie influence on “CBD,” then the menacing sci-fi sounds of “Lunken Loop,” which relies on distortion, off-kilter drums, distorted samples, synthesizers, and some key vocal samples. The last third of the EP takes us home with the beautiful and meditative “Stanbery at Dusk,” and then closes with most exciting track on the EP, “Deliquia.” It’s song that slowly builds with layers of synthesizers playing melodies, countermelodies, and harmonies with a triumphant tone, while this subtly progressive drumbeat drives the track forward without overpowering anything. Just when you think you’ve got the song figured out, Phonophage takes you to the second movement, where the tone becomes tenser and darker, with a classical guitar samples are looped and paired against some eerie synthesizer melodies, with somewhat Latin shuffle to the drumbeat. It all comes together nicely, and makes for a really enjoyable listening experience when taken from start to finish.

Phonophage isn’t reinventing the wheel with this EP, but he showing us how good and interesting instrumental hip hop can be when done properly. Bakewell flows well from start to finish, and it’s varied enough to keep your interest from track to track. It’s also incredibly well developed and arranged in such a way that the music will stay in your head long after the EP is over.