Appearing on Sheffield based Bad Taste Records, Can’t Love Without You marks the debut of 19 year old Timbah. As a reminder of how quickly things progress, the university student cites influences such as James Blake as paramount to the development of his sound.

It shows, especially in the EP’s namesake. The padded, isolated percussion, coupled with warm, vibrant synth-work mark the introduction, which could just as easily be an early Blake effort. There’s a myriad of influence in Can’t Love Without You, and the EP stands out due to the producer effectively splicing these styles across 5 tracks, each revitalising his sound without ever sounding too detached from each-other.

‘Eski-Hugz’ combines a ferocious grime-inspired hook with gently tugging vocal samples, demonstrating not only the marriage of influence but a constant intensity that manifests itself throughout the EP. Each track draws upon a certain aesthetic, but it’s the little details that make Can’t Love Without You, personally. The ascending notes that dart in and out as quickly as they arrived in ‘Cuckoo Clock’, for example, or the sequence that acts as a bridge in ‘Eski-Hugz’. Its these bursts of colour make the EP worth listening to again, traits that reward immersion and immediacy in tandem.

Lean Low’s remix of ‘Can’t Love Without You’ also serves as a highlight, a slippery bass-line the main attraction as it’s converted into an infectious house groover. It’s as emotive and effective as the original.

There’s a lot to be excited about in the EP, the debut effort suggesting a producer with experience beyond his years, a versatility that should see some exciting variation in the future. With Mary Ann Hobbs and The Independent notable admirers, expect big things to come.