Ploy

Hailing from Bristol, producer Ploy—whose real name is Sam Smith—crafts hypnotic, experimental techno centered on polyrhythmic drums and trippy effects. Beginning in 2016, his output has appeared on respected British dance imprints such as Timedance and Hessle Audio.

Before adopting the Ploy alias, Smith issued deep house as Samuel. His first 12", the 2014 release Numberuma, led into a more experimental and minimal style on 2015's Static on the Dancefloor, an approach his later Ploy material sustained. Early 2016 brought Sala One Five to Hessle Audio and Iron Lungs to Timedance. Timedance followed with two further 2017 releases—Intrigued by the Drum and a remix 12" of Footprints in Solid Rock—while Hemlock Recordings issued Unruly. Ploy's sole 2018 release was Ramos, though he also appeared on Timedance's Patina Echoes compilation and reworked Shelley Parker's Angel Oak for a Hessle Audio EP.