Michael And Mattis ‎– Hoes Before BrosHivern Discs ‎– HVN018

In addition to John Talabot and Pional's ongoing flirtation with West London types Young Turks, the Hivern Discs label have had yet another quietly impressive year, welcoming Dublin act New Jackson into the fold, enlisted Legowelt and Heinrich Muller to remix Spanish pair Fasenuova and dropped a limited one-sided 12" that's currently commanding some ridiculous Discogs prices. The label sign off 2013 with another debut in the shape of unknown quantity Michael & Mattis, with the Hoes Before Bros 12" this NYC/Norwegian combo's debut vinyl release. On the basis of the three original productions here, Michael and Mattis fit snugly into the Hivern family with the title track presenting a fine balance between understated poppy elements (the vocal from Chris Hess in particular) and bold, club ready rhythmic and melodic elements. Genius of Time provide an excellent remix of this track, whilst B Side cut "Hokey Pokey" is a real gem, sitting somewhere between acid house and sample heavy hip hop.