Surprising no one, Flux Pavilion’s new EP “Fluxiverse” coming off his own Circus Records signifies a dominant return to the skull-rattling bass this iconic artist became known for. Every track […]
Surprising no one, Flux Pavilion’s new EP “Fluxiverse” coming off his own Circus Records signifies a dominant return to the skull-rattling bass this iconic artist became known for. Every track off this release is dripping with anthemic nostalgia for days past when the freshest releases were found on UKF Dubstep’s YouTube channel, while also demonstrating how far sound design and arrangement in bass music has evolved over the last decade and a half. With multiple genres captured and collaborations with other well-known heavy hitters, this EP has something for everyone.
The first track “Where You At” with the irrefutable Conrank, perfectly balances utilizing aggressive basslines with more melodic elements. There are a lot of shout-outs to 90s rave music between the classic stabs, dub sirens, and chopped amen breaks. The drop stands out against the brighter build and bridge sections by going for a restrained and more percussive bassline.
The next one, “24/7” with Doctor P feels like the festival anthem of the release. The catchy hook “Dirty Bass On My Mind… 24/7” is effective and unforgettable in tandem with an equally catchy synth arpeggio. Stepping away from the reserved energy of the last song, the drop focuses on delivering a much heavier and in-your-face sound design.
The third track “The Ones You Loved” featuring LINK and Terror Jr is an even greater departure from Flux Pavilion’s musical catalog. It starts out as a ravey melodic techno tune with a peaceful and ethereal vibe before releasing into a nasty dubstep drop that interplays those ethereal elements against a throaty bassline.
“Heavy Metal” with PAV4N is the most lyrically motivated song on the release. It opens with a grimy verse from PAV4N, and the aggression provided by the lyrics plays off the more reserved bassline well. The bassline utilizes ¼ notes which always adds a ton of energy, and the chunky growls have a unique almost orchestral sound to them.
The first solo effort off the EP, “Paradise” opens with a critique of social media leading into dreamy vocals reminiscent of Kid Cudi. The contrast between the darker rolling bass and brighter dreamier synth is executed beautifully.
Closing out this diverse release is “Adagio for Bass,” as the name indicates this is the most melodically motivated song. It turns Samuel Barber’s “Adagio For Strings,” which was originally made into a classic trance tune by William Orbit and Tiesto in the 90s, into a hybrid dance track that once again utilizes elements found in trance and melodic techno. Both the riddim-oriented first drop and techno-oriented second drop are lush and inspiring. The more delicate techno melody and unrelenting riddim flow is a combination I can’t say I’ve heard before and makes this one of the most unique songs I’ve heard all year.
Flux Pavilion is back with a vision that incorporates anthemic basslines, trance, and melodic techno in a way only he could do. Demonstrating the power of hybrid track arrangements and a refusal to be pigeon-holed, this release is very promising for the future of Flux Pavilion, Circus Records, and the state of dance music itself in 2023.
Excited about the return of the legend Flux Pavilion? Let us know in the comments!
2 Comments »