Heard It Here First

As a basshead living in Connecticut, the scene has always been intimate, to say the least, with limited venues and a diminutive community. Therefore, I take any opportunities to fill my need for bass therapy and support the local talent. Early 2023, I attended an ill.Gates show in my hometown, New Haven, where I discovered local bass producer Vedran Jahic, AKA VED. Today, VED is gassed up to announce the release of his EP, Convergence. VED fueled Convergence with some high-octane, pushing the pedal to the floor at full throttle, so buckle up because this EP is one wild ride.

VED, originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is influenced by many different forms of music. His impassioned adoration for melodic music, dubstep, metal, and hip-hop delivers a sound that takes many forms. His discography and live performances can go from reposeful to ominous in the blink of an eye, keeping listeners on their toes as they wander through every passage he forges. Here is what VED had to say about the message behind Convergence:

“The song/EP is about not being afraid to take chances to get where you need to be. It’s okay to take a different approach or route to get to where you need to be that is different from others.” – VED

Convergence commences with its’ title track. It begins with a soothing melody, sinking the listener deep into the enigmatic heart of the EP. Before long, “Convergence” pops off with atmospheric synths and deep resonating bass. I love the vibey feel this track gives right off the bat, setting the mood for the EP. VED’s production masterfully shines in this track, layering each synth and thump of bass to percolate seamlessly.

“Menace” plunges listeners into the grimy and grungey mind behind VED’s epic sound design. It’s virtually impossible to listen to it without busting out a mean stank face. VED teamed up with collaborator NGHT VZN to deliver a fierce, bass-heavy banger that can only be described as an unadulterated menace. The last time these two yoked up on a track was on their volatile collab, “MOVIN,” which exhibited a more downtempo low-end bass while “Menace” cranked up the savagery. This fast-paced avant-garde track features impressive syncopation between an expansive layering of synths and explosive bass, topped with the addition of vocals that take this track from killer to thriller.

The next track is easily the most relatable for listeners. VED paired up with a new collaborator, Resonant Bass, on “Like That,” a track about looking back at the end of a day at all the nonsense one can experience over twenty-four hours. This effort features critical bass levels, and the vocals are a nice touch as the synths ebb and flow. “Like That” sounds spectacular through a pair of high-end headphones, but I could undoubtedly see this being a mainstage banger.

The last tune, “Surfaces,” beautifully completes the EP, delivering just the right amount of bass while creating an distinctive vibe. I love that VED chose this as the closing track, as it feels like an extension of the title opening track, “Convergence.” 

VED took his gloves off for Convergence and delivered an exquisite EP that proudly displays his talents for creating atmosphere and enhancing emotions through epic sound design. I personally can’t wait to see what he is cooking up next in his arsenal.

Let us know what you thought of VED’s new EP down below in the comments!

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