The Ping Pong

Like the sample source indicated in the title, this split Safety Scissors/Kit Clayton EP spends little time in one place; indeed, Ping Pong bounces through three dozen tracks in less than 20 minutes, caroming from heavily distorted computer feedback to playful electronic pop and R&B with a throwback feel — as well as a few nods to the heyday of '80s video games. Nearly everything attempted here succeeds — wildly, needless to say — perhaps because the duo never let an experiment wear out its welcome. Ping Pong is doubly impressive for its feel, that of a tossed-off jam session; unlike the vast majority of electronic productions, the EP never sounds labored. It's almost as if the duo soundtracked a video game, with individual tracks functioning for multiple cues. It's certainly not background music; these productions practically demand close attention, but they're worth every second.