Niv Ast is an artist who very much operates 'out of the box'. His work on Correspondant, Optimo, Disco Halal, Watergate Records and Get Physical - as well as his work via his own label Band Apart - is bold, line-blurring club gear making him a perfect candidate for an Exploited Club release.

Niv Ast is inspired by the psychedelic waves of acid, the attitude of the punk-rock and the light headed groove of disco. His music is regularly played by DJ Tennis, Jennifer Cardini, Polo & Pan among others. He has performed alongside Tale Of Us, Seth Troxler, Amelie Lens, Blond:ish and many more.

'Tainted In The Sun' kicks things off with a Manchester chorus beaming out over stroppy power chords and a throbbing kick. Progress marches on, gathering colour as it blooms into a synth-driven haze adorned with brass flashes, spiralling sequences and a straight-talking snare. The vibe is heady, infectious and a touch subversive - a slice of euphoric recall for anyone who barely remembers the 90s.

'Don’t Belong' follows up with an Indie-Italo hybrid. Tough, muscular drums anchor the groove while a flexible synth line gently pulls things astray. Clever sequencing has the track swelling in layers as a brooding intensity builds up towards a bridge of darting strobes. The refrain drives back in, hooking the listener back in and capping off a boisterous pastiche; one that strums a certain nostalgic chord whilst also presenting something fresh and novel.'

Artist: Niv Ast
Release: Tainted In The Sun
Label: Exploited Club
LC: 96788
Cat: EXP152
Publishing: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing/Sony ATV
Beatport Pre-order: 08.11.24
Release Date Streaming/Beatport: 15.11.24
Release Date Global Download: 29.11.24

Tainted In The Sun

Buy / Stream

Niv Ast - Don't Belong (Exploited Club)

Shir Khan started Exploited in 2007. Exploited Rec now plays host to some wide-ranging and innovative electronic talent - including Adana Twins, Claptone, Budakid, Joyce Muniz, James Curd, Shir Khan (to name a few) - and its artists have been receiving numerous supportive spins from the likes of Solomun, Pete Tong, Soul Clap, Wolf&Lamb, Azari&III, Jesse Rose, Axel Boman and A-Trak.
This is serious dance music at it's most cutting edge with all the juice to really get you going. It's totally contemporary, innovative and has a chunky dirty feel. "Exploited" take you on an invigorating roller coaster ride back to your youth when you first listened to dance music with all the thrills and spills you so enjoyed about clubbing. It's heavy, exciting and special.
'"Exploited Records" is a seamless melting pot of varied styles that simply can't fail to please even the most discerning ears. Highlights here are plentyful. Not to be missed at any cost.' (Clash)
'Musical hybrids are truly the flavour of today, but few have managed to capture the atmosphere of an unpredictable microcosm of a night out on a recordlabel - until now. Shir Khan's label "Exploited" bottles the zeitgeist's giddy thrills with plenty of style and substance. This is dance music hybridism in all its most glorious forms, and Shir Khan is an expert at making square pegs fit round holes.' (DJ-Mag)
'"Exploited Records" boss Shir Khan has been gaining a lot of acclaim recently, and deservedly so - as he has shown us the high quality, diversity and forward-thinking nature of his label. Engaging, riveting and diverse.' (Data Transmission)