Can't remember the last time EVERYONE at Lab HQ was this geeked about a Money Studies release, but maybe it's no surprise - there's something here for everyone. Secret Hangout is the new series from Money Studies, drawing inspiration from the old Mo'Wax "Headz" comps by coming with only the strongest tracks and most unique artwork from our motley stable of DJs and producers. To give it our own twist, we've divided the EP into two distinct sides - one with killer club-ready jams and one with heady downtetmpo beats. The club side leads off with the debut of Pocket Checkers (aka Blu Jemz and Ter Kahn) and their insanely catchy electro party starter, "2 O'Clock(1)." (Already a hit in LA, where Jemz kills it nightly.) People have been walking around the office singing the sample from this one for months, and we still don't know what it's from. Eggfooyoung brings the solid "Up It(2)" (a Miami bass / electro / Bmore crossbreed), but I know most of you will be skipping directly to "Young M.D.(3)" by my boys Snack & C'mish. Yes, it's a crazy Bmore edit of the "Doogie Houser, M.D." theme song, complete with Fabo acapella snippets, ambulance noises and the subtle sounds of Doogie tap-tapping into his primitive blog at the end of every show. (Snack & C'mish spent a week watching Netflix'd Doogie DVDs before making this track, just to get the true Spirit of Vinnie Delpino.) The downtempo side starts off PROPER with an instant classic from LA's Gaslamp Killer. "Dagasse(4)" is downtempo like you haven't heard in a while, full of tough drums, dark tones and a mean bass loop. Blu Jemz returns with the afrobeat / future-soul jam "Turn Away(5)," and Hefty's Eliot Lipp turns up to unveil his new electro style on "Slow & Smooth(6)." This is the best-looking Money Studies release in a while too - comes in a nice matte pic sleeve with illustration by Noah Butkus and art direction by PH. If you made this far into the review, I guess I don't have to tell you that this is highly recommended.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red