Each night, she climbed out of the top floor window onto the roof - it had become her favourite place to be with her thoughts. From up here she could see the entire town, the houses lit up like a handful of tiny diamonds scattered across the horizon. It felt peaceful beneath the stars; away from the rat race of waking hours, away from the worries of daily life…

West Coast producer Dave Aju introduces us to his latest musical venture with the launch of his new artist imprint Elbow Grease Records. Taking care of the inaugural release himself, on ‘X17’ Dave pays reference to the hypothetical particle and potential Fifth Force discovery, delivering a deep and soulful cosmic trip that teeters between warm and cold textures. The lead single is joined by two versions: an ambient ‘Viiibe’ mix and a stripped back ‘Rhythm Dub’, which suit different spaces and times.

PREMIERE: Dave Aju - X17 (Rhythm Dub) [Elbow Grease Records]

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.