DJ Earl’s take on Chicago footwork moves at its own pace. While the Teklife crew member still crafts music that reaches the genre’s high-speed 160 BPM standard, Earl is less interested in dancing at this point. His new EP, Meditate on Bass, hints at the calmer and more texturally rich place his footwork occupies. On the EP’s standout track “KickinYaMInd,” he chooses to explore elements less associated with footwork, namely ambient music and old school soul. He uses syrupy slowness and soulful synth tones to lace emotion into his composition, and “KickinYaMInd” oozes with warmth as the drums move in and out of focus, and the funky keys establish the song’s easygoing tone. Earl’s emphasis on texture is most apparent during the track’s final minute, as the drums drop out for good, and he’s left to explore his keyboard, alternating between sultry, warm tones and a biting, high-pitched yelp. It’s equal parts funky jam and experimental noise, floating in an unlikely space between groove and ambience. Meditate on Bass is a quick trip, but it’s another example of DJ Earl’s rule bending take on footwork.