SMU - Keep Moving Forward EP [NN016] Buy: www.beatport.com/release/keep-moving-forward-ep/47… Stream: open.spotify.com/album/6XM8NRKr2zdXkklQgjhvEF?si=E… Over fifteen impressive releases into its existence, Amsterdam-based, South African-born artist Lee Ann Roberts’ NowNow label continues to go from strength to strength with a relentless flow of breakneck Hard Dance offerings from some of the genre’s brightest stars. The label’s next release welcomes rising Irish star SMU for his NowNow debut with 3 original tracks on ‘Keep Moving Forward’. The release is a blistering trio of original cuts bolstered by remixes from fellow Irishman Revoxx, Perpignan-based Klimax 82 and label head Lee Ann Roberts.   ‘Active Shooter’ kicks in the door to the EP, hitting you head-on with a fusion of rippling Psytrance, thrilling Breaks and potent Hardstyle nuances. Building around high-octane grooves and savage sirens, it’s an undeniably head-turning signal of intent for the rest of the release. ‘Energy’ is next in line, bringing another fast-paced amalgam of Hard Dance sub genre goodness crafted from sinister synths, furious percussive drive, a catchy vocal hook and massive, climatic transitions. The title cut ‘Keep Moving Forward’ is the last of three originals from SMU, cutting a slightly different musical line to its predecessors. Slower in pace to its counterparts, it carries a potent core of thumping, driven drums and raucous hat grooves, orbited by cinematic pads, rave synths and an iconic vocal that leads into several piano-laced, happy hardcore-esque throwdowns.   Lee Ann Roberts’ reimagination of ‘Energy’ leads the way with the remixes, putting a sinister spin on the original with screeching synth lines and an unrelenting tide of peaks and troughs to keep the dancefloor on its toes from start to finish. Revoxx’s remix of ‘Active Shooter’ is next up, adding even more weight to the original whilst cleverly manipulating several vital elements to carve out an impressive peak-time stomper. Klimax 82’s rework of ‘Energy’ rounds off the release with another captivating niche re-do, delivering an intriguing blend of Happy Hardcore, Psytrance, Hard Techno and everything in between.