Rez

The track *Rez* by Underworld, with its extended duration of nearly ten minutes, invites listeners to immerse themselves in a soundscape built upon intense rhythms and melodies that evoke a sense of constant forward motion. The sound that Underworld developed for this period, particularly on the album *Second Toughest in the Infants*, is characterized by a fusion of powerful pulses and melodic hooks that feel expansive and commanding. The way the band worked during this phase, incorporating Darren Emerson alongside Rick Smith and Karl Hyde, allowed them to explore textures and dynamics that defined their signature style.

The recording of *Rez* involved Rick Smith directly as the engineer, while the mixing was a collaborative effort between Darren Emerson, Karl Hyde, and Rick Smith himself. The overall production was handled by Underworld. This track, along with others like *Pearl's Girl*, is part of the sonic vision that took shape on *Second Toughest in the Infants*. The album, originally released and later reissued in November 2015 with expanded editions, stands as a landmark in the evolution of electronic music. The album's title, *Second Toughest in the Infants*, originated from a comment made by a six-year-old child, Simon Prosser, nephew of Rick Smith, about his experience in primary school.