- Hip-hop meets techno and hardcore on this intriguing experimental release.
- The Pennsylvania-based producer JAK3 is an affiliate of Waistdeep Clique, a collective of artists from across the US with all-caps names like DRAGG, CALSUTMORAN and AGNARKEA. Representing an experimental offshoot of Memphis rap, Waistdeep Clique fuses hip-hop beats with techno and hardcore before submerging them in distortion and sludge. It's abstract but emotional music, shot through with dystopian pessimism. Last year's collaborative EP KWANTUM ENTANGLEMENT is a good introduction to their music.
JAK3 is a versatile producer, even when working within such a defined aesthetic. Moods range from the blissed-out vaporwave of R4VER's opener, "Finally, I'm Free," to deranged but euphoric hardcore on the final track, "Raverboy." If there's one track to listen to it's "Chase The Sun," which comes with these amazing video game visuals. Starting as an extra-terrestrial trap beat before morphing into breakbeat, it distills his sound into a thrilling four minutes.
TracklistA1 Finally, I'm Free
A2 Lies
A3 Too True
B1 Chase The Sun
B2 My Blood, My Soul
B3 Raverboy feat. AGNARKEA & Big Up Menace X