Arian Alexander (aka White Afghani) hits the Apparel Tronic main catalogue with Tales From The Backyard, a three-tracker that sounds like it was recorded on a dusty cassette left out in the sun, full of stunningly beautiful imperfections, minutiae and sonic history. It's a Lo-fi EP at heart but rhythmically very sharp, drifting between grainy textures, deep techno grooves, and a subtle eerie, nostalgic, elegant touch you keep on discovering after each listening session. From the off-kilter bounce of the opening Escape Congo to the fast-burn swagger of Cougar, and finally the profound and intense haze of Before Leaving, there's a kind of casual intimacy running through it all. Nothing here is trying to be flashy, just music that knows what it's doing and lets the many hidden details do the talking. Arian's been building a name for himself through a very personal brand of sound that wander between breakbeat, ambient, UK bass and oddball techno, always with his own logic and his classy style. This EP feels like an off-mic moment from one of his sets, something personal, a bit sideways, and totally comfortable in its own skin.