Abstract Electronic UK
28 December 2025
Currently Listening to:
For me, a very specific feeling is associated with 2011. Specifically, the mundane, extraordinary fact of entering into double digits for the first time (and the rest of) my life. That feeling is difficult to put into words; optimism for the future, for the rest of my life in the two digit lane, coupled with a tinge of childhood loss at bidding farewell to being 9 years old. Nostalgia is the most apt description of that feeling and that time, and the Blackpool-born Effy captures precisely that in the title and contents of her latest tune.
“2011” is an effort, according to Effy, to capture her euphoric early days of clubbing in Northern England. It is the oldest triplet on Effy’s latest EP, The Syndicate, released on the 15th of May. The EP itself is a tribute to that youthful exploration of club culture; a little bit of sleuthing (taking a look at the EP cover, photographing a silver cube of a club, and googling said music venue), revealed the real Syndicate Blackpool club, formerly (allegedly) the largest nightclub in the UK.
The track is 2cb technicolor. It starts like a shorting livewire, with glittering abruptness; a snatching high-hat intro buoys the track upwards, with percolating bleeps and bloops heralding a glorious piano break, a joyous hat-tip to old-school house. The tune erupts into a conventional house chorus, perfectly shoulder-shimmying and danceable. Chopped-up, distorted vocals pepper “2011”,
“2011” strikes two songbirds with one stone, contrasting classic, smoother rave sounds with hyper pop-esque harshness at times. It is reminiscent of another time, retro-futuristic, glimmering with optimism for daybreak after a particularly adventurous night out, and tinged with regret that, with the morning, comes a return to everyday life.
The two other tracks on the EP, “Persuade” and “So Sound”, deserve a mention here, too – both acceptable, building songs, anchored in two-step and house influences, they better soundtrack a house party than a dancefloor.
“2011” is heartfelt and zappy. It is perfect for an ambitious prees, a lively party, or nearing a jubilant dawn, provoking an innocent sense of déjà vu.
