Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Getting Frenetic With Conduit's Debut Duality EP

With over 14 years of music production hanging off of his toolbelt, Sam Rivkin has taken the patient path to musical maturation, gradually stirring his ingredients at the right pace and temperature to guarantee hearty results through his Conduit project. Rivkin is certainly no stranger to sound, having been a multi-instrumentalist for much of his life, and has been concurrently performing through his collaborative duo project Betafuse for over a decade. Up until now, Conduit releases have been kept close to vest. The payoff for this patience is release of his debut Duality EP through the veteran Colony Productions label, an apt home for such a granular set of tracks.

With over 14 years of music production hanging off of his toolbelt, Sam Rivkin has taken the patient path to musical maturation, gradually stirring his ingredients at the right pace and temperature to guarantee hearty results through his Conduit project. Rivkin is certainly no stranger to sound, having been a multi-instrumentalist for much of his life, and has been concurrently performing through his collaborative duo project Betafuse for over a decade. Up until now, Conduit releases have been somewhat scattered, making appearances on compilations and through remix tracks for contemporary artists. The payoff for this patience is release of his debut Duality EP through the veteran Colony Productions label, an apt home for such a granular set of tracks.

If there was a single word to best describe Duality, it’s “staccato”; the syncopation of percussion and bass synthesis is the driving motif of the EP, taking center stage across every track. Tracks like “Confined by the Demiurge”, and “As Above, So Below” are driving in their compositions, they build pressure in short bursts akin to a turbocharger. The constant frenetic energy serves as a clear bedrock for the whole collection of tracks, and it all dovetails to its conclusion with “Dynamis”, showing off the marriage of intensity, melody, and sound design in the way contemporary bass music best showcases. From start to finish, with a high polished sheen, Duality easily earns its place amongst many of its likely influences in the Colony Productions catalog.

While this might mark the first official Conduit release, its far from the first time the name has been on our radar. While keeping the recorded productions close to the vest, Rivkin has been performing under the Conduit moniker all along the way, showcasing his material in its prime context. Testing first and unveiling later has clearly paid off, and we’re confident that Duality is far from the last studio productions we’ll hear from Rivkin’s array of projects.

You can purchase or stream Duality on Bandcamp, Soundcloud & more


FOLLOW Conduit: Soundcloud / Instagram / Facebook

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Reviews Alyssa Barnhill Reviews Alyssa Barnhill

Entangled Mind Puts Collaboration Front and Center with Latest LP

Marissa Barbato, the creative force behind Entangled Mind, has carved out a place for themselves through their consistent blends of instrumentalism and exceptionally high production standards. Three years after the release of their debut LP, Eternal Motion, they’ve poured their energy into a sophomore album that expands on the thematic psychedelia at the center of the Entangled Mind sound, and reaches new heights against their personal catalog.The Lucid Living LP bridges the gap between emotive and somatic compositions, employing sound as a conduit for fostering connection and introspection.

Written by Alyssa Barnhill


Marissa Barbato, the creative force behind Entangled Mind, has carved out a place for themselves through their consistent blends of instrumentalism and exceptionally high production standards. Three years after the release of their debut LP, Eternal Motion, they’ve poured their energy into a sophomore album that expands on the thematic psychedelia at the center of the Entangled Mind sound, and reaches new heights against their personal catalog.The Lucid Living LP bridges the gap between emotive and somatic compositions, employing sound as a conduit for fostering connection and introspection.

The album opens with “Ossicle”, featuring the work of flutist Mattie Rosi; a delicate yet powerful composition that effortlessly blends listful flutes and chimes with a pulsating bassline, the result is a auditory painting complete with rich color and hue, evoking dreamlike sensations with every vivid note. “Tree of Life”, suffused with the harmonized tones of violins thanks to Matthew Rennick, introduces semitonal melodies overtop textured bass lines and precision rhythms. The composition is seamless, with each successive phrase paving its respective chunk of the narrative road. Raw and flamboyant. “Ghost Pipe”, a collaboration with Denver based producer Xenolinguist, delves into darker territories with its percussion-heavy arrangement and aggressive psytrance elements. The track's back-and-forth rhythms bounce the perspective between each pocket of tension and pressure. Capped off with “A Sunny Spot”, the relaxing final chords of the album ring out with in tandem with the gentle tones of the baserite flute and table, expertly handled by Eric Fraser and R!llo, respectively, and cladding the collaborative DNA of the record with an amber sendoff. 

Throughout Lucid Living, Entangled Mind offers their vision of a transcendental musical journey. With its intricate compositions and evocative soundscapes, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who chooses to embark on its voyage, and invites listeners to spend time in a state of diligent listening and introspection. Each new project from Barbato’s creative well adds to her repertoire of songs and effusive musical moments, and Lucid Living just the latest taste, with sure more to come.


FOLLOW Entangled Mind: Soundcloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram




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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Seppa Gets Straight to the Point with See It Through LP

Another year comes, and another stellar release makes it’s way out into the wild from the heart of Bristol in the UK; Sandy Finlayson’s Seppa moniker needs little and less introduction these days, with his extensive catalog of EP’s and LP’s doing the majority of the talking. With four years having come and gone since his last solo album release, and his current spate of US shows kicking off this evening, he’s primed to flesh out a grip of new tracks across each stop from his latest See It Through LP across the eponymous 11-stop tour.

Another year comes, and another stellar release makes it’s way out into the wild from the heart of Bristol in the UK; Sandy Finlayson’s Seppa moniker needs little and less introduction these days, with his extensive catalog of EP’s and LP’s doing the majority of the talking. With four years having come and gone since his last solo album release, and his current spate of US shows kicking off this evening, he’s primed to flesh out a grip of new tracks across each stop from his latest See It Through LP across the eponymous 11-stop tour.

Flitting back and forth between his trademark punishing bass lines and more effusive blends of melody and harmonics, See It Through is perhaps the most well-rounded of Seppa’s longform releases. The opening track, “Pyana” flirts with dainty keys and fluttered arpeggios against the backdrop of a stereo-compressed drum break, giving a small taste of most pronounced productions on the record. From “SDIG” through “Cru”, it goes pound for pound with any of Seppa’s heaviest releases to date, ripping through ungulent low end and imposing drum programming. Harkonning back to the core sounds of the Seppa project, these tracks are primed for the dance-floor and feel at home amongst his more classic palate. The ending run of the album, save for the break-out aggression of “Film”, is markedly different from much of his established catalog; from “Lacuna” to “Sole”, each track takes on fresh rhythms and striking melodies, giving listeners a chance to get acquainted with the further edges of Seppa’s arrangement and songwriting philosophy.

Whether it’s the early days of Whack Lack, Vol. 1, the sumptuous collaborative Chalky x Seppa records, or the latest machinations on See It Through, there’s an undeniable Midas’ Touch to every Seppa release. On and off the decks, his tracks have become staple anthems amongst the wider bass music underground scene and beyond, granting him thoroughly earned recognition has a top-flight producer and musician. With two months of tour teeing off later tonight, we sure to hear to the lion’s share of this record as it was intended, roaring and tearing through whatever speakers it can sink it’s teeth into, and we’re just as excited as you are.

 

Coming up in NYC!

don’t miss Seppa at Eris Evolution (5.24) in Brooklyn on May 24th with the SubSanctuary crew!

Back in the states with a bag full of psycho-naughty system-centric bangers, the Bristol-born technician of growling basslines and genre-defiant soundscapes Seppa will grace the 4-point Funktion-One dance lair of Eris Brooklyn on Friday May 24th. Bring a friendly freak or three to this special one-off collaboration between Pittsburgh, PA-based SubSanctuary and the enigmatic artivism powerhouse, Garlic.

Mutashi Xero (Asheville, NC)
Wink (Pittsburgh, PA)
Garlic (Brooklyn, NY)
Garage Sale (Pittsburgh, PA)

Tickets
RSVP
 
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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Observatory Records Zeroes in on the Dance Floor with Pure Energy Compilation

Punching through to new territorial waters, the collective cross-atlantic bass music culture has been steadily seeking out fresh inspiration and deeper dance floor integration for several concurrent years, with breaks, house, and drum and bass feeling particularly syncretic for so many stalwart producers and fans alike. Recently stepping into the arena for a slice of newfound sonic territory, Observatory Records has tapped the efforts of several cutting-edge acts to craft their sophomore release, the Pure Energy compilation EP.

Authored by Pasquale Zinna


Punching through to new territorial waters, the collective cross-atlantic bass music culture has been steadily seeking out fresh inspiration and deeper dance floor integration for several concurrent years, with breaks, house, and drum and bass feeling particularly syncretic for so many stalwart producers and fans alike. Recently stepping into the arena for a slice of newfound sonic territory, Observatory Records has tapped the efforts of several cutting-edge acts to craft their sophomore release, the Pure Energy compilation EP. Coming off the heels of their late 2023 triple-sided Detox Unit and Sortof Vague release, this compilation flips the rhythm from low and slow to upbeat and cerebral, bringing sheer groove and hefty attitude to the table.

Rocking a potent list of talent to pack out the compilation, tracks from Gaszia, Nic Baker, Villain Era, Sortof Vague and Seppa place a serious amount of firepower behind this release, and it certainly shows it off. Across five tracks, front-loaded breaks and basslines dominate the record, putting the focus squarely on the dance floor. Foregoing obtuse sound design palates and the quirkier rhythmic demands of mid-tempo bass music, each producers’ mettle gets a new lease on life through no-frills, all-business compositions that hit with the right throttle through the right sound system. It’s the kind of recipe that makes this Observatory Records release so striking against the competition, 

With the clear intention of platforming polished, professional productions, and the added weight of an already top notch list of associated acts, Observatory Records is striking while the iron is hot with their Pure Energy compilation. While we’re enjoying the fruits of this especially well crafted collection of tunes, we’ll have our eyes and ears peeled towards the Observatory Records in the near and far future.\


FOLLOW Observatory Records: Soundcloud / Bandcamp / Instagram / Official

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Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson

pheel. Carves out his Territory through Debut echo chamber. LP

Closing out another monumental year in a career built on its own momentum, Phil Gallo continues to deliver a sultry, vivacious package through his musical alias, pheel.. The New York-born producer is a crucial member of Denver’s venerable all:Lo record label, injecting his distinct blend of boom bap and groove-driven bass music, and paying homage to the music of his childhood while nose-diving into the sounds of the future. Much to the delight of his fans, Gallo’s latest release is his long-awaited debut album, echo chamber., demonstrating his ever-evolving talent and ability across nine tracks of shifting moods and nebulous hues.

Closing out another monumental year in a career built on its own momentum, Phil Gallo continues to deliver a sultry, vivacious package through his musical alias, pheel.. The New York-born producer is a crucial member of Denver’s venerable all:Lo record label, injecting his distinct blend of boom bap and groove-driven bass music, and paying homage to the music of his childhood while nose-diving into the sounds of the future. Between his solo project and collaborations with Morning Coffee (pheel. & Parkbreezy) and Groovsauce (pheel., Parkbreezy & Thought Process), he’s managed to stay rather busy the last two years with a string of releases, a national tour with Lone Drum, and debut performances at Tipper and Friends and Red Rocks Ampitheater. Much to the delight of his fans, Gallo’s latest release is his long-awaited debut album, echo chamber., demonstrating his ever-evolving talent and ability across nine tracks of shifting moods and nebulous hues.

Beginning with the infectious head-nod track, “afterglow.”, and followed by “dust bin.”, “suss.” and “blip hop.”, the front half of echo chamber. stirs eerie soundscapes and infectiously pulsating low-end, all atop pheel.’s signature drum breaks. Falling directly in the middle of the album, “i’ve had it all.” is his lengthiest track to date; an absolutely stunning five-minute composition, “i’ve had it all.” showcases the growth in his songwriting ability, stirring up joy and sorrow through effective blends, turnarounds, harmonies, and potent arrangement. Past this point, the album increases in tempo and intensity, with tracks like “dripp.” and “solivagant.” putting a veritable bounce in each downbeat. Come the very end of the album, “blue skull cap.” and “yutia.” bring the vibe back home through sheer flavor and swagger, mingling the constituent elements across the entire album for a stellar two-track ending. Between the consistent arrangements, the infusion of high-end sound design, and the walking bass lines he’s become so known for, echo chamber is truly Gallo’s most comprehensive work to date.


The release of echo chamber proves that while pheel. is continuously improving his production chops, he still holds firm to his roots, remaining in a state of uniquity and staying on our radar as a direct result. Prior to his massive New Years Eve appearance opening for CloZee at Denver’s Mission Ballroom, we took some time to toss the man a few questions about his debut album and his last few years on the road.

Wes Johnson: Where does the title of the LP come from?

pheel.: I was very back and forth when picking the name for this album. echo chamber was one I’ve been sitting on for awhile. Its definition is “an environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own”, which felt a bit dark to me, but also felt like it really related to this point in time in our lives where there is a lot of darkness and debate going on. The other definition, “an enclosed space where sound reverberates,” really resonated with the artwork Veggie Tempura made for me 2 years ago when I first started working on this project.

Wes Johnson: How has the way you approach making music changed since the release of your last EPs in 2021?

pheel.: I feel like my approach is similar, just more refined. I try going into session with more purpose of what I’m trying to accomplish instead of just fucking around and seeing what happens. Sometimes that’s fun and gets fun results but lately it has turned more into time waste. My goal I’ve been working on since COVID started is to improve my sound design. I feel like I’ve improved a bunch but still have a lot of work to get where I want to with that aspect. I’ve always had a love for finding old tunes to sample or chop up to get a vibe going, but my main goal is to have a fluid combination of both of those styles.

Wes Johnson: What does this release mean to you?

pheel.: This one has meant a lot to me. It’s the first album I’ve ever put out - some of these tracks are from the 2+ years ago draft idea of this, and some are from this summer. For me, usually the older tunes I end up getting tired of and [they] go to die in my projects folder, but these ones still feel like what I want to show, where I’m at at this point and time. A combination of the chiller boom bap style stuff, building up to more sound design-esqe tunes then taking the energy back down to top it off.

Wes Johnson: What have been some of your highlights of the last year of your project and what are you looking forward to?

pheel.: Man, it’s hard to really pick, but the tour with Lone Drum really made me feel a lot more comfortable with the scratching part of my performances. Ever since that, I’ve felt so much more confident with it - even though I still feel like I have a lot of work to do to get to where I want with it, I’m happy with the results. Secret Dreams and Sonic Bloom were huge to me because it was our whole all:Lo crew, and these festivals trusted us with a whole 4+ hour block to showcase all our styles.

Wes Johnson: Anything else you’d like people to know about you/echo chamber?

pheel.: Thanks for listening and reading ⁃ love, Phil


FOLLOW pheel.: Souncloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook

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Reviews Alyssa Barnhill Reviews Alyssa Barnhill

Lipphead Dive One Step Deeper in From The Back LP

The dynamic New York-based production duo Lipphead has gradually built out a sonic playground of funkadelic slides, swinging trumpets, and tipsy, on-the-nose rhythms, bringing their energetic and eclectic instrumental hip-hop style out to play. With already potent pool of established tracks between the two, Blockhead and Elliot Lipp continue to outdo their stereophonic dance floor motif with the sensual blends and lush progressions of their latest record, “From The Back”.

Authored by Alyssa Barnhill


The dynamic New York-based production duo Lipphead has gradually built out a sonic playground of funkadelic slides, swinging trumpets, and tipsy, on-the-nose rhythms, bringing their energetic and eclectic instrumental hip-hop style out to play. With already potent pool of established tracks between the two, Blockhead and Elliot Lipp continue to outdo their stereophonic dance floor motif with the sensual blends and lush progressions of their latest record, “From The Back”.

Illustrated by the talented artist Maddison Chaffer, the album cover’s recognizable Lipphead character serves as both the group mascot and a personification of their fused musical styles, gesturing back to the likes of Mad Lib’s Lord Quas from hip-hop’s narrative-driven past. The delectable 10-track album easily delivers more of the duo's signature genre-blending mix of head-nod and electro-funk, infused with a groovier spin, with their trademark sense of humor in full swing. Showcasing Lipphead's distinctive style, "From The Back '' seamlessly merges Blockhead's groovy, sample-based palette with Lipp's upbeat electronic melodies and distinctive hardware synthesis. Tracks like "Studio 69" boast a velvety backbone with long synth tones dancing along the melody, while the decadent vocals add a veneer of class to the song’s attitude. In positive contrast, Blockhead's traditional sample-collaging shines in tracks like "Rolling Loud," filled to the brim with recognizable samples that slide across one another like a weave.

As Lipphead gains traction and expands their pool of minted works, the duo is swiftly establishing themselves as one of the most exciting new underground electronic acts. Their infectious and evolving synth-laden swing makes them a powerhouse production combination to watch out for in the ever-evolving music landscape. With each release, they continue to push the boundaries of their appeal, leaving eager fans curious about the future directions they may explore both on and off the stage.


FOLLOW Lipphead: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Official



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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Rasp-5 & Tygris Return with Their Smash & Grab EP

Long after the divergence of hip-hop music and its swing-centric instrumental arrangements, both lyricists and producers find themselves coming back around to their time-tested partnership of songwriting and studio finesse, with a few choice sets of creatives finding their stride with contemporary flavor. Continuing their gradual dive into the murky waters of lyricism and bass music, Rasp-5 and Tygris follow up their rambunctious Cheap Thrills EP with a dual serving of brackish low-end and sauntering wordplay, with The Gradient Perspective hosting their latest release, Smash & Grab.

Long after the divergence of hip-hop music and its swing-centric instrumental arrangements, both lyricists and producers find themselves coming back around to their time-tested partnership of songwriting and studio finesse, with a few choice sets of creatives finding their stride with contemporary flavor. Continuing their gradual dive into the murky waters of lyricism and bass music, Rasp-5 and Tygris follow up their rambunctious Cheap Thrills EP with a dual serving of brackish low-end and sauntering wordplay, with The Gradient Perspective hosting their latest release, Smash & Grab.

Duck & Cover” cracks the seal on the EP with a sharp bite, with every word and stab of synthesis cutting hardest on each successive downbeat. Dipping the intensity and raising the intrigue, “Get The Money” glides across a potent, tightly-wound neuro-hop beat that props up a tale of territorial paper acquisition, with both ends of the spectrum dovetailing into a choice breakdown. Instead of reinventing the wheel, they choose to lean into the syncretic relationship of broken-beat electronic music and its lyrical forebear, and Smash & Grab feels right at home with the bouncy, driving hip-hop compositions of the 90s and early aughts.

With a growing body of work between the two artists, and clear musical relationship on their own merits, Rasp-5 and Tygris never miss the mark when they emerge from the lab. Doubling down on that relationship, they’re a frequent pairing on the stage, often times as a last minute combination as well as a prepared performance, and the chemistry between the two has never failed to make pure sparks. Keep your ears perked and your eyes peeled as 2023 comes to a close and 2024 comes into focus, as we’re sure to see these two intrepid ne’er-do-wells pop up again on plenty of occasions.


FOLLOW Rasp-5: Soundcloud / Spotify / Instagram

FOLLOW Tygris: Soundcloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram

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Reviews Alyssa Barnhill Reviews Alyssa Barnhill

5AM Enhances Growing Catalog with Aperture EP

Amassing a reputation and a fan base that answers first and foremost to quality, Sam Andrus has developed the 5AM project into a high-fidelity multi-tool; from the live solo performances and evolutionary 3-piece band, to the numerous sound design and composition workshops, his pronounced graphic design skill set, and his modest catalog of studio release, he's a veritable jack of all trades and a remarkable powerhouse amongst the wider field of his contemporaries. Earlier this week, he gave eager listeners the next taste of that developing discography; the Aperture EP.

Amassing a reputation and a fan base that answers first and foremost to quality, Sam Andrus has developed the 5AM project into a high-fidelity multi-tool; from the live solo performances and evolutionary 3-piece band, to the numerous sound design and composition workshops, his pronounced graphic design skill set, and his modest catalog of studio release, he's a veritable jack of all trades and a remarkable powerhouse amongst the wider field of his contemporaries. Earlier this week, he gave eager listeners the next taste of that developing discography; the Aperture EP.

Aperture is a pronounced, mesmerizing journey through the modern inflections of electronic music, showcasing the 5AM penchant for weaving together electronic production and live instrumentation. Rich and dynamic, the three track EP opens with “Intangible,” a jam-inspired and atmospheric track that features ethereal vocals and juicy low end synthesis. Crescendoing into a glitched-out, percussive breakdown, the recurrent focus on vocoder lines and driving guitar chops bears the hallmarks of the evolving 5AM sound. “Feeling”, by contrast, is the predominantly soulful highlight of the compilation. Featuring the vocal chops of lyricist Maya Elise, churning bass lines give way to her impassioned lines and bed of lush keys and skittering horns. Melting away just long enough to engender a choice bridge and solo, courtesy of Keith Wadsworth, the track matures several musical motifs that have dotted numerous 5AM Trio performances in recent years. The EP’s title track, “Aperture", features the widest range of textures and effects to create a vivid landscape of sound. The track’s driving beat and underbelly are augmented by an array of manipulated and distorted vocal samples, cuts of modulated synthesis and choice, overdriven guitar lines. The track builds to a thrilling climax, with everything from the dynamics to tension flexing into novel and charismatic forms.

Overall, Aperture showcases 5AM’s ability to blend jazz, fusion, funk, bass music, and futuristic compositions into thrilling sonic experiences. The EP is a testament to both Andrus' individual strides and that of his numerous frequent collaborators and band mates. With a slew of recent trio and solo performances recently under his belt, as well numerous upcoming appearances, fans new and old are sure to be treated to a few lasting variations of these three salacious tracks.

FOLLOW 5AM: SoundCloud / Spotify / Bandcamp / Facebook

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Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson

Thought Process Leans into Constant Evolution with Always In Changing Form EP

Coming off of another milestone year in an ever-blossoming career, Joseph Rich continues to stoke the flame of his musical alias, Thought Process. Two years following the release of his last EP, Thought Process treats his fans to his most recent project, “Always in Changing Form”, proving to be another clearcut example of Rich’s continual prodigious talent spread across six tracks.

Authored by Wes Mateo Johnson


Coming off of another milestone year in an ever-blossoming career, Joseph Rich continues to stoke the flame of his musical alias, Thought Process. Having found a home amongst friends and fellow hip hop conesures in the all:Lo collective, Rich and company having been constantly cooking up new ways bridge the gap between the music of their upbringings with the sounds of tomorrow. One of the keys to Rich’s rise is his relatively sparse offerings of previously released music. While Rich tends to release music on a yearly basis, typically via one of his annual mixes, his growing fanbase knows that the best way to stay current is to see him live and experience the sound the way it’s meant to be heard. Two years following the release of his last EP, Thought Process treats his fans with his most recent project, “Always in Changing Form”, proving to be another clearcut example of Rich’s continual prodigious talent spread across six tracks, including a collaboration with his fellow all.Lo contemporary pheel. 

The first track off of his first 2023 release is an introspective head-nod tune called “Corduroy Moon”; alongside tracks like “The Fate that Remain” and “Forever Winter”, these compositions bring you into the dream-like soundscape, as playful synths are draped over rhythmic and layered bass lines, all propped up against a signature drum break reminiscent of 90’s hip-hop. Embodying what all:Lo records is about is the second track, “Study Hall” brings to life a sound system demolisher with the help of fellow label-mates pheel. & Brother Nature. The tune begins with a slow and eerie intro before coming to life at the same moment Brother Nature hops on the mic and brandishes bar after bar with effortless ease. As his first verse ends, Thought Process and pheel. take the reins and unleash a series of bass notes that have rocked several systems in the last few months and will surely continue to punish systems through the coming years. With the help of newest addition to the 5AM Trio and longtime member of Wax Future, Keith Wadsworth, the EP even receives an injection of electro-funk through their collaborative track “To Pursue”. Taking a step in a bold new direction is the tune “Cocoon”, where Rich demonstrates his clear progression in songwriting ability while offering his take on house music infusing the piece with worldly percussion and serene violin melody lines courtesy of Alicia Kiah. With all these ingredients firmly boiling in the pot, it's no wonder this release feels so particularly dialed in.

The release of Always in Changing Form confirms to the listener that while the sound of Thought Process gestates and matures, he’s still carving out a lane that is entirely his own. High-fidelity sound design and stoic riffs used in conjunction with outstanding DJ fundamentals create the inectious grooves and the truly emotive music his fans have grown so accustomed to. Adding to the excitement of this EP's landfall, The Rust chose to tap Rich's keen ear and tastes for our latest Rusty Selects Playlist on Spotify, covering ground from his inspirations to his contemporaries and back again, giving fans a chance to get further acquainted with the man behind the mission. As he ventures into the remainder of the year with a head full of steam, we’re keeping our eyes on Thought Process and making sure that Always in Changing Form stays in rotation until the next coveted release graces our airwaves.


FOLLOW Thought Process: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook

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Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson

Visages Showcases Their Expansive Style in Debut LP

Since their inception, Visages has honed their own sound through a rapidly growing discography, with each release feeling fresher than the last. Having a veritable home with the globally-admired 1985 Music crew, the group is perpetually plugged into the nexus of their distinct flavors and motifs. Brandishing their well-regarded midas touch for their lengthiest release to date, the From Lead to Gold LP showcases an undeniable style over the span of eight-tracks.

Authored by Wesley Mateo Johnson

Hailing from southern France, the quartet of producers by the name of Visages have gained the respect of both the dubstep and drum and bass communities across their stint in the studio thus far. Since their inception, the group has honed their own sound through a rapidly growing discography, with each release feeling fresher than the last. Having a veritable home with the globally-admired 1985 Music crew, the group is perpetually plugged into the nexus of their distinct flavors and motifs. Brandishing their well-regarded midas touch for their lengthiest release to date, the From Lead to Gold LP showcases an undeniable style over the span of eight-tracks, including the group’s first ever collaboration with their label-head Alix Perez.

The first track of the group’s final release of 2022 is a larger than life dubstep tune entitled “MK Ultra” This track sets the tone of the album with a dark and foreboding sample referencing the highly controversial CIA experiment before blasting through rippling bass lines and snarling synths over air-tight percussion. The next tune, “Sheitan”, continues the foreboding theme at pace. The track picks up the tempo, showcasing rock-solid low end in combination with dashes and elements of breakcore. Following up the darker duo, the collaboration with Alix Perez, “Black Katana”, channels every facet of 1985’s legendary appeal and design, brimming with scintillating synthesis across sauntered downbeats. The final arc of the record showcases the soulful side of Visages, including a refreshing liquid drum and bass tune “Emotional Software”, before dropping into the high energy “Ace of Spades” collaboration with fellow 1985 label-mate Monty.

The aptly-named From Lead to Gold puts everything on the table, from high-fidelity mixdowns to the breadth of sound design, percussive programming, and sheer groove. Continuing on their journey into the depths of system music, we’re keeping our ears perked up for any future movements from this fantastic production quartet, and keeping From Lead to Gold repeat until then. Make sure you stay up to date with Visages, as well as their veteran labelmates on 1985 Music wherever good tunes find a home.


FOLLOW Visages: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook

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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Emancipator and Lapa Hit Their Uptempo Stride in 11th Orbit LP

With well over a decade of history as collaborators on and off the stage, Doug Appling and Ilya Goldberg have defined the Emancipator sound as a veritable rolodex of vivacious music. Now, pushing into lightly-trodden territory at full speed, the Emancipator and Lapa projects have met in the middle for the collaborative, dance-floor centric LP 11th Orbit.

With well over a decade of history as collaborators on and off the stage, Doug Appling and Ilya Goldberg have defined the Emancipator sound as a veritable rolodex of vivacious music. Of his own accord, Appling has already released two LP’s and two EP’s across the last two years under the Emancipator moniker, continuing his solo production work alongside a cast of other musicians and instrumentalists. Goldberg’s last full-length LP, Spirit Vessel, released through his individual Lapa project four years ago and expanded upon the soft-spoken motifs found in his debut Meeting Of The Waters LP. Now, pushing into lightly-trodden territory at full speed, the Emancipator and Lapa projects have met in the middle for the collaborative, dance-floor centric LP 11th Orbit.

Moving across tempos and temperatures in composition has engendered a vast studio catalog spanning a variety of rhythms, modes, and attitudes that have made Emancipator not just a mainstay veteran of instrumental electronica, but a malleable force onstage in virtually any context. Uptempo grooves have always been part and parcel of either musician’s compositional gait, but 11th Orbit is a quintessential house album with a potent infusion of world music and classic Emancipator hallmarks. Hitting it’s stride out of the gate, “To Infinity”, “Mamba”, and “Vortex Cortex” all set the major flavors of the record, introducing steady-beat cocktails of spacious and pocketed arrangements made with footwork in mind. Maintaining it’s cruising altitude at variable speeds, tracks like “Leopard Shepard”, “Crow Nebula”, and the closing song “Hailo” bring the energy down to subtler pace, showcasing more effusive musical tangents and rhythmic interplay that record has to offer without cutting the overall vibe and tone set from the jump. From start to finish, 11th Orbit paints a clear and potent picture of the dance-friendly side to the Emancipator and Lapa mindsets, adding yet another grab bag of hearty ingredients to future Emancipator performances.

In a modern paradigm currently dominated by brackish, full-throttle sound design and unrelenting downbeats, Emancipator and Lapa continue to suffuse a palatable and organic approach to electronic music across an ever-growing swell of appreciators, curious revelers, and unsuspecting new fans. With the addition of 11th Orbit to the available arsenal, the rest of 2022’s Emancipator performances are sure to include a host of uptempo choices and surprises, keeping the package as fresh as it’s ever been. If you’re feeling a dire need to scratch the itch left in the wake of this lush new LP, check out the Submersion Festival tab in our websites header above for ticketing information and the full weekend lineup!


FOLLOW Emancipator: Soundcloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Official

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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Nimbo Shows Off Tactile Songwriting in Shapes EP

Continuing the 2022 pattern of upstart producers hitting their stride, Nashville's Nimbo has shown up with a particularly nimble blend of tracks in the form of the Shapes EP. Putting on a succinct display of production prowess and maturity in arrangement, the EP pushes thoroughly polished frequencies through a creative sift that leaves behind the faintest residue.

Continuing the 2022 pattern of upstart producers hitting their stride, Nashville's Nimbo has shown up with a particularly nimble blend of tracks in the form of the Shapes EP. Putting on a succinct display of production prowess and maturity in arrangement, the EP pushes thoroughly polished frequencies through a creative sift that leaves behind the faintest residue.

Shapes begins with the pensive and interpolative synthesis of "Adrift”, showing off the flexible phrasing and broken rhythms that will come to dominate the EP. Likewise, Nimbo maintains a solid palette of tones and patches that will define each tracks runtime, threading the release together through the tasteful use of up-cycled characteristics. "Mind Raiser" and "Cypher" offer this generous blend alongside a fistful of moxie, showcasing the heavier hand of Nimbo's compositional style. Bringing the EP to a close, "Self Expel" fuses these various hues into a notable egress, diffusing the tension and impact with a gradual bell curve.

Nimbo's brief time as a public-facing creative has already yielded ripened fruit, with all signs pointing plainly at a studious songwriter and producer. Through a mix of know-how and gumption, the Shapes EP bares all the hallmarks of the brightest releases of 2022, and that puts Nimbo squarely on the radar for The Rust and beyond. If you're looking to spice up your personal listening catalog, this collection of tactile tunes should be your next impending purchase.

FOLLOW Nimbo: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook

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Reviews Alyssa Barnhill Reviews Alyssa Barnhill

An Interstellar Expedition with Brassell and Ace On Earth

Intergalactic Rhodes features two New-England bound producers, Brassell and Ace On Earth, following a melodious interstate of their own architecture and engineering. The duo take inspiration from modern Lofi, 90’s club dance tunes, and summer day beach music to create this elegant, warm, and inviting listening experience that’s laced with plenty of flavor.

With airline prices escalating faster than a midwestern dad on his first beer of a long weekend, many of us have found ourselves traveling winding roads by car and on foot, hunting a feeling of wanderlust through more terrestrial exploration. With that same sense of exploration in mind, the New England producers Brassell and Ace On Earth have curated a light and feathery 4 track EP that fleshes out local adventures in the mental terrain.  For those looking to kick back and roll down the windows, Intergalactic Rhodes is a must have for the voyages to the near and far.  

Self released on July 13th 2022, Intergalactic Rhodes features both artists following a melodious interstate of their own architecture and engineering. The duo take inspiration from modern Lofi, 90’s club dance tunes, and summer day beach music to create this elegant, warm, and inviting listening experience that’s laced with plenty of flavor. Even at its heaviest, this EP remains an insightful combination of both harmonious, fluorescent moments and titillating melodies. Casually and with style, the dynamic duo invites the listener to splash through sonic rest stops and envelope themselves in expeditious inquisition. 

Recently featured at Nocturnal Funktion in Tolland, Massachusetts, both Ace On Earth and Brassell have made an impactful presence on stage. Audiences with the fortune to catch them live have been invited to tune in and turn on to their poignant and satisfying sonic escapes. Intergalactic Rhodes is an artful tribute to the more amenable styles within beats music and should be a must-have grab for any discerning head’s next digital crate dive.


FOLLOW Brassell: SoundCloud / Spotify / Facebook
FOLLOW Ace On Earth:
SoundCloud / Facebook / Official

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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Nowfeel Explores the Space Between Style and Impact through Kin LP

Nowfeel is the artistic alias of Ben Rissin, a Canadian producer and songwriter whose watermark is a distinctly fluid brand of electronic music. Fusing contemporary, innovative arrangements with driving sound design inspired by the UK's love affair with sine compression, Nowfeel captures the precision of modern engineering principles alongside impeccable phrasing and pace. Expounding on the motifs and breakthroughs of his Spectrum LP in 2019, Rissin has achieved terminal velocity once again through his latest release, the kin LP.

Nowfeel is the artistic alias of Ben Rissin, a Canadian producer and songwriter whose watermark is a distinctly fluid brand of electronic music. Fusing contemporary, innovative arrangements with driving sound design inspired by the UK's love affair with sine compression, Nowfeel captures the precision of modern engineering principles alongside impeccable phrasing and pace. It's both a difficult balance to achieve and a difficult position to maintain, and it invariably sets Rissin's work apart from the veritable pack. Expounding on the motifs and breakthroughs of his Spectrum LP in 2019, Rissin has achieved terminal velocity once again through his latest release, the kin LP.

kin wastes no time hitting its stride, with the opening track "reach through me" dancing wide spectrum percussion across earthy reese bass and spatial harmonies. It lays out an audio topography that will endure across the rest of the album, elucidating the positive relationship an album can have with a strong, relatively singular hand of tones, patches, and drum programming. In general contrast to his contemporaries, Rissin avoids the rat race of constant, invariable change in the timbre of an album or EP, and instead flexes that singular hand in the way a live band can channel visceral changes in energy without necessarily changing its core sound throughout an entire evening. Moving through the rest of the LP, the dynamic movement between tracks at half time and full time breathes an extra pulse of life into the release, with rhythms stretching from downtempo to midtempo, drum and bass, and variations on drumstep motifs. It's an ideal spread of the vibe, avoiding the trap of lingering too long in one discipline of songwriting or another, and it positively tees up kin for a place amongst some of the best albums and EPs to come to light so far in 2022.

The Nowfeel project has only been planting roots for a short few years, but the distance gone in both composition and design speak volumes about his otherwise frugal catalog. Rissin's ample control over the trajectory of his craftsmanship will undoubtedly continue to pay off with even more visceral musical moments, but in the meantime, there's plenty stuffed within the grooves of kin to keep even the most ferocious appetites satisfied.




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Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson

Shredding the Infinite With Duffrey Behind the Wheel

Within the American bass scene, Duffrey has proven himself in the studio and on the stage with a revolving door of tracks and projects. With the returning tide of drum and bass to the forefront of young palettes across the country, he’s been a keen player in pushing that resurgence, mingling his own time-tested production toolkit with a significant tempo ramp, and the release of his Shred the Infinite EP leaves nothing on the cutting room floor.

Within the American bass scene, Duffrey has proven himself in the studio and on the stage with a revolving door of tracks and projects; his solo work has had its own prolific impact on the developing sound of his contemporaries, and he simultaneously brings innovative collaborations and raucous dance floor rollers as ⅓ of the producer supergroup, Ultrasloth. With the returning tide of drum and bass to the forefront of young palettes across the country, he’s been a keen player in pushing that resurgence, mingling his own time-tested production toolkit with a significant tempo ramp, and the release of his Shred the Infinite EP leaves nothing on the cutting room floor.

The EP is driven by a masterful control of low end, with potent synthesis ranging from subtle and rounded to brackish and full-throated. Throughout the release, his keen ability to build a carefully concocted symphony of delightful chaos is on full display, with four tracks that will afford listeners the experience of world class production with a particular focus on all things frenetic. “Shred the Infinite”, “Yesterday Tomorrow”, and “Bring ‘Em In” each push a varied take on high-powered, full-time rhythms, cutting between brooding and manic at a dizzying pace. After three full servings of pedal-to-the-metal impact, “Feel You” rounds out the release with a more liquid approach that forgoes the heavy infusion of grizzled bass design, and instead features ethereal synth tones and keys churning together for an emotive ending to a journey through infinity. It’s a choice formula for injecting a new bevy of choice tracks into an already thoroughly polished catalog, and signals a significant page turn for the overall sound of Duffrey.


It’s never a dull moment with Duffrey’s compositions coming through the speakers; his discography has grown to cast a wide net across numerous genres and disciplines, all the while finding clever and nuanced ways to further showcase his specific blend of sonic ingredients. With a smattering of appearances on the horizon, it’s a surefire chance we’ll hear this material in its proper format, but until then, Shred the Infinite is available across all major outlets and streaming services for your discerning enjoyment.

FOLLOW Duffrey: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Official


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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Blockhead and Eliot Lipp Reprise Their Roles in Lipphead for In The Nude EP

In the spaces of trip-hop, electro-soul, and nu-disco, Eliot Lipp and Blockhead are particularly known quantities, with both having been progenitors within their lanes of choice. In 2019, the two joined forces under the Lipphead moniker, releasing a self-titled EP that exposed listeners to the vibrant and salacious combination when their skillsets are mingled in symbiotic fashion. Reprising their respective rolls for Lipphead, they’ve gone to ground and back again to create In The Nude, their latest and most impressive collaborative record to date.

In the spaces of trip-hop, electro-soul, and nu-disco, Eliot Lipp and Blockhead are particularly known quantities, with both having been progenitors within their lanes of choice. With just under and over 20 years of professional musical experience under both belts, respectively, they each have their own expansive and evolutionary catalogs; Blockhead’s prolific sample-collaging and Lipp’s unmistakable penchant for warm, analog synthesis have become the mainstay tropes that make their music so instantly identifiable across two decades of minted works. In 2019, the two joined forces under the Lipphead moniker, releasing a self-titled EP that exposed listeners to the vibrant and salacious combination when their skillsets are mingled in symbiotic fashion. Reprising their respective rolls for Lipphead, they’ve gone to ground and back again to create In The Nude, their latest and most impressive collaborative record to date.

Landing with a total of 13 tracks, In The Nude is a full service dive into a plethora of rhythms and sonic perspectives, all threaded together by a constant and unmitigated command of groove. Tracks like “D.I.A.”, “The Squirrel From Ipanema”, and “Wait Til You See My Outro” all wield the classic, downbeat-centric flow that has been so indicative of Blockhead works across his entire career, while “Shallow Halal”, “Proud Dad”, and "Nocturnal Omissions” exude the dance-centric, often frenetic energy of Eliot Lipp’s most impactful compositions. Even with sonic signifiers bending towards one or the other producer, there’s no majority dynamic to In The Nude; every track features a mingled web of hallmarks and classic tones that have made the two artists in question such recognizable acts, suffusing a parity of elements throughout the 33-minute runtime of the album. With jazz and soul thematic elements at play across every arrangement, there’s no moment where the vibe falls victim to lethargy, making every second of the LP’s journey a consistent and sultry bite of the Lipphead apple.

There’s no doubt that we’re often suckers for a solid collaboration, but there’s a notable difference when combined palate is so complimentary before the first notes are even struck. Eliot Lipp and Blockhead have carved out their own specific territories seemingly parallel to one another, making the act of bridge-building a natural step for this key-turn pairing. For discerning fans of broken-beat music with movement in mind, as well as appreciators of either respective discography, Lipphead’s In The Nude should undoubtedly be next on your must-have list.

FOLLOW Lipphead: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Official

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Reviews Erin Hill Reviews Erin Hill

Verdance Channels Equatorial Heat through Islands LP

Riffing on the lighter side of electronica and dance-floor music, the UK-based sound designer and producer Verdance is looking to make a positive splash with his latest LP; released through Loci Records, Islands is an 8 track album that moves like a puddle-jump through sound. Verdance transports listeners across a variety of environments, and brings organic, lush, natural soundscapes to life with IDM-inspired motifs and progressive songwriting fundamentals.

Riffing on the lighter side of electronica and dance-floor music, the UK-based sound designer and producer Verdance is looking to make a positive splash with his latest LP; released through Loci Records, Islands is an 8 track album that moves like a puddle-jump through sound. Verdance transports listeners across a variety of environments, and brings organic, lush, natural soundscapes to life with IDM-inspired motifs and progressive songwriting fundamentals. Sitting amongst the Loci Records cast of musicians and creatives, it stands out as a particularly upbeat, driving collection of pointed tracks. 

The album begins with “Rudolf Island”, an homage to spoken word poetry met with the powerful emotional ride of downtempo electronica, and it's the kind of dynamism that allows the listener to gently engage with the album’s conceptual field of play. Then as if waking up from a dream, we enter into “Brava”; located off the coast of Portugal, the song pays homage to the namesake islands’ verdant ecology. The spectrum is awash with lush tones, humid vibrations, and soft broken beats juxtaposed against delicate harp plucks that decorate the melody. The further one travels into this sandy repertoire, the more pronounced the blissed-out compositions become. Building these expansive musical worlds is Verdance’s speciality, with Islands' airy canopy providing fertile ground for lively, organic arrangements.

The relaxing and engaging nature of this album sets the scene for release and introspection, letting the waves roll over and let the tide come in. Dreamy, thought provoking textures and sonic ecosystems make Verdance’s latest collection a must listen on a warm summer day, with a cocktail to match. Uplifting, adventurous, and inventive, Islands is an exquisite equatorial experience that warms the air and soothes the soul, and couldn’t have a better home than amongst the roster of like-minded producers at Loci Records.

FOLLOW Verdance: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook

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Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson Reviews Wesley Mateo Johnson

Spectateur Leans Into Softer Edges in Nocturne LP

Loci Records has an extensive, if relatively quiet history of showcasing a distinctly grounded, featherweight approach to electronic music. Their latest release comes in the form of the Nantes-based producer Spectateur’s Nocturne LP, showcasing a fluid evolution of musical modalities and a fresh perspective on electronic music’s softer edge.

Loci Records has an extensive, if relatively quiet history of showcasing a distinctly grounded, featherweight approach to electronic music; spearheaded by Emancipator, their roster and catalog follows in the footsteps of numerous trip-hop, downtempo, and electronica progenitors. Their latest release comes in the form of the Nantes-based producer Spectateur’s Nocturne LP, providing a poignet soundtrack to an evening's journey. Implementing various musical modalities that fluidly evolve throughout the album, Spectateur demonstrates a complete control over a diverse use of instrumentation, ranging from ethereal percussion, to licks and melodies reminiscent of the Fertile Crescent, to infectious call-and-response bass lines, invoking a myriad of emotions along the way.

Settling into Nocturne begins with the easy egress into “About Last Night”. It lulls you in with a juxtaposition of airy keys and rhythmic humming, gradually giving way to intentional dissonance that creates the tension lines of the track. Slowing only for a moment, the track meanders and builds toward a crescendo dash towards the conclusion of the composition. The album progresses onto a lighter path with tracks like “Inner Jungle” and “Lazy Boy”, featuring determined head-nod rhythms and laid-back house archetypes that both play off of instrumental dialogue and compositional whimsy. “Inner Jungle” cruises at chilled-out speeds, fusing a grab-bag of primal animal samples and syncopated 808 phrases. In contrast, “Lazy Boy” fuses bass guitar plucks, six–string licks, and clavinet runs into a jubilant dance-floor party. Wrapping up Nocturne’s journey from dusk to dawn, “Under The Sun” allows the listener some final moments of introspection as sweeping bass tones, a snare-centric beat, and lightly arranged cymbals mimic that feeling of catching the sun rise over in the distance, and those first salient moments of sun-touched skin.

Spectateur’s Nocturne is a fresh perspective on electronic music’s softer edge, putting the focus on clear, clean songwriting and tight dance-floor fundamentals. While there’s no telling when the next Spectateur release or performance will be seeing the light of day, we highly recommend that you dive into his five previous releases, or his bombastic Stereo Utopia project, to hold you over in the meantime. 

FOLLOW Spectateur: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook


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Reviews Alyssa Barnhill Reviews Alyssa Barnhill

Mufunka Crosses the Emotional Rubicon with Samsara LP

Mufunka’s latest release, Samsara, covers a dynamic range of musical concepts, evolving emotion, and symbiotic intensity. The Buddhist metaphor for the wheel of life, including all things we experience and are unconsciously aware of, is given a new narrative journey in a masterful 8 track album. “In Buddhism, Samsara represents the wheel of life, [and] I wanted to share what I thought the journey in between could be like.

A new subspecies of exploratory bass music has been discovered amongst the high mountain peaks and the effervescent pine trees of central Colorado; Music producer Mufunka’s latest release, Samsara, covers a dynamic range of musical concepts, evolving emotion, and symbiotic intensity. The Buddhist metaphor for the wheel of life, including all things we experience and are unconsciously aware of, is given a new narrative journey in a masterful 8 track, full length album, with Mufunka’s use of clever reverb and odd time signatures impressing upon us wide vacuums of space for our imaginations to frolic. 

As we begin to peel back the skin and examine the innards of Samsara, Mufunka’s command over snare-centric beat progressions, tantalizing dissonance, and clearance of the frequency spectrum put his compositions into crystalline focus. In tracks like “Event Horizon”, the blend of automated triggers and ever-growing background of bass tones packs a punch for even the most critical of heads. Conversely, with tracks like “Chrysanthemum”, the swelling kicks give the listener a feeling of rebounding through endless tunnels, bouncing from wall to wall, end to end, never quite knowing which is up or down.   

When asked what inspired his album, he replied, “In Buddhism, Samsara represents the wheel of life, [and] I wanted to share what I thought the journey in between could be like.” Motivated by a recent passing of a family member, Mufunka is determined to showcase his own musical progression. To end the album, Mufunka decided to save the best for last, “Slipstream”. In a single track, the listener can see the culmination of ideas presented throughout the album; with all vibrations aligned and dissonance dissipated, Slipstream transports us to the end of our sonic journey, placing a cherry-flavored bow atop an electrically charged and emotionally uplifted album. 

With free downloads of Samsara on Soundcloud, it’s too easy to get plugged into Mufunka’s nucleic prowess, and with such a steller landing for the LP, there’s no telling what sorts of iridescent productions still sit up his sleeve for a later date. Additionally, you can catch Mufunka opening for Kursa, K.L.O, and friends on April, 9th, 2022 in Chicago, IL.

FOLLOW Mufunka: SoundCloud / Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook


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Reviews Pasquale Zinna Reviews Pasquale Zinna

Somatoast Displays Maturity in Composition with Creation is Creation LP

Somatoast is the working history of Mark Rubin’s musical evolution, charting a journey that has always been grounded in prodigious composition and instrumentalism. From Goop to Dreamhop Jazzytime, each of his releases turns the page on his musical exploits, bringing time-tested concepts on a collision course with uncharted territory. In a fashion true to his form, Somatoast has once again brought the vast surfeit of his ideas into a psychedelic melting pot, crafting a new and lucid brew; the Creation is Creation LP.

Amidst the flurry of evolving genres, scenes, and passing generations of producers, Mark Rubin has been steadfast in his creative lane, bending his trajectory ever so slightly to encompass new fascinations in the production and sound design communities within his ever burgeoning umbrella of interest. His longtime project, Somatoast, is the working history of his own musical evolution, charting a journey that has always been grounded in prodigious composition and instrumentalism. From Goop to Dreamhop Jazzytime, each of his releases turns the page on his musical exploits, bringing time-tested concepts on a collision course with uncharted territory. In a fashion true to his form, Somatoast has once again brought the vast surfeit of his ideas into a psychedelic melting pot, crafting a new and lucid brew; the Creation is Creation LP.

In an era of producers often choosing to ride out of the gate with a bang, Somatoast opts for the smoother route; “Tapping in Boyd Hill” sits like the layer of cream atop a good dessert, hitting the palette with a velvet richness designed to get the glands salivating. There’s no momentous crash or rousing tension, just the exposition of choice, emotive note relationships in the medium of full-bodied textures that starts and ends on the same gentle egress. After wetting the palette, “Dawn” serves as a faithful and melodious bridge, riding gentle harmonies and forthright percussive shuffles. It’s abrupt end is met with the rising energy of the LP’s namesake track, featuring a delicious half-time interpretation of a steady dance-floor rhythm. “Creation is Creation” channels the classic Somatoast infusion of jazz, space, vocoders, and an undeniable groove, all swelling into the blissed-out, scintillating breakdown that dominates the latter half of the track.

At the LP’s midway point, “Kokoa” calms the rising intensity, featuring an arrangement heavily dominated by harmony and vocal interplay. It floats a permeable atmosphere above the central elements in the mix, putting the focus squarely on the journey, as opposed to the individual steps. The penultimate track, “Icicles”, personifies its title through generous reverb, ride tails, and potent chimes that follow the arpeggiated melodies throughout. At the height of the track, those elements dovetail into stabs of throaty synthesis, bringing the LP’s experience to the peak of its impact. Bidding farewell to the LP’s original compositions is “Ooh Yea”, a sensual dance through swelling chord progressions and delicate juxtaposed textures. There’s a certain shine to the track’s arrangement that feels as sharp as it is sultry, and that is precisely what gives Creation is Creation the Somatoast seal of quality. 

As if six resplendent Somatoast tracks weren’t enough to satisfy new and old fans alike, the back half of the LP features impressive remixes by Lapa, Edamame, Skysia, and Kaya Project, bringing a number of top flight composers under one roof. As with previous Somatoast releases, Creation is Creation is indicative of a producer and musician who’s sitting squarely in the zenith of their creativity, and even with the momentous arrival of this new suite of Somatoast productions, we can’t help but wonder what’s in store for next time.

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