Ben Hunt – Burnt Orange
There’s a sense of patience running through Ben Hunt’s debut on The Freebooter Lounges sister label Plan B. Burnt Orange is a 5 tracker that draws on decades of dancefloor experience while sidestepping many of contemporary electronic music’s more predictable tropes, the Brighton-based producer crafts a collection with atmosphere, texture and gradual emotional release.
Ben’s background is evident throughout. Having immersed himself in the rich musical landscape of the 1990s before spending years behind the decks and taking up production during the pandemic, he approaches electronic music with the confidence of someone who understands both movement and mood. The result is a mini album that sits comfortably between deep listening and late-night club introspection.
Opening track “The Rush” establishes the EP’s aesthetic with a spacious, forward-moving energy. It balances momentum with restraint, favouring evolving layers over obvious peaks. “Green Ridge” broadens the palette, introducing a more reflective character that leans into organic textures and a wider sense of space, while “Vespertine” feels particularly cinematic, unfolding with a slow-burning elegance that rewards repeated listens.
“Burnt Orange” is perhaps the album’s most immediate moment, bringing a warmer, more vivid tone. Meanwhile, closing track “The Drift” lives up to its title, offering a contemplative finale that gently dissolves the album’s accumulated tension into something more meditative.
What distinguishes Burnt Orange is Ben Hunt’s commitment to atmosphere. Rather than chasing maximalist drops or trend-driven production techniques, he focuses on carefully layered arrangements and a rich sonic environment. The album occupies a space somewhere between deep house, ambient electronica and downtempo techno, yet never feels constrained by genre boundaries. There are echoes of classic club culture throughout, but the record is ultimately driven by feeling rather than nostalgia.