Electronica
Driving Force Behind US DnB Scene Justin Hawkes Drops Debut Album
Justin Hawkes charged onto the DnB scene under his Flite moniker with the self-released track Blue Spark in 2013, with Liquicity featuring the seminal track on their influential YouTube channel. His ability to span soft-toned character to sheer euphoric brilliance through the dark, earth-shaking depths of bass music soon found him many fans, including some of the world’s top DJs, such as Andy C, Porter Robinson, RL Grime, Netsky, Friction, Sub Focus, Wilkinson and many more.
His relationship with UKF started when they featured his releases Featherfall and Colorless in 2014, released on Bass Explorer’s label Sup Yo! And Liquicity Records, respectively. His 2017 EP ‘The Cure,’ however, dropped on Liquicity, truly marked a momentous shift in his music career, releasing a flurry of bangers on labels such as Hospitality, Monstercat, and UKF and a slew of festival appearances in Europe and the US.
In 2020 dropped the Flite moniker in favor of Justin Hawkes, arising like a phoenix from the ashes with roof-tearing releases Lift Off The Roof (D&B Arena) and The Underground. He channeled his experiences in the US rave scene with songs such as IJDK and a remix for REAPER’s Barricade. And even though these releases were incredibly successful, the controversy surrounding the Flite moniker, with personal attacks against Hawkes’ honor during a global pandemic and huge politically uncertain times, left a serious mark – one that he would explore on his debut album ‘Existential.‘
“Existential manifests as a self-portrait,” says Hawkes. “It weaves between my thoughts, philosophy, and history, both within my career as a Drum & Bass artist in America and internally through the unknown future. The title itself represents the existential scenarios that have formed who I am, exploring my journey through crisis, the weight and forgotten wisdom of the past, and even the sometimes-comedic power of being an outlier.”
Having grown up in a small town in Virginia, Justin wasn’t born into the DnB scene. Influences such as Justin’s early stint in his school’s marching band playing trumpet and his love for blues, rock, jazz, folk, and gaming, have found their way onto the album. His family was deeply entrenched in more ‘traditional’ American music genres such as Country and Americana, with his uncle Andrew Hellier playing guitar for Modern Yesterday and Rotoglow. His family, as well as his family’s influences, can be heard on the standout single ‘Better Than Gold,’ featuring none other than his uncle on vocals and father on mandolin and acoustic guitar. If there was ever a genre-busting tune, this Country Rock-meets-DnB would be it.
But it’s not all fun and games – Existential explores deeper themes, such as the idea that humanity is encouraging its own extinction and what it means to be alive at a time when the world feels like it’s collapsing in on itself. Tragedy, humanity is one such track that describes the many beautiful yet tragic paradoxes humans go through or create for themselves.
Featuring 15 tracks that showcase Hawkes’ flawless and diverse style as a producer, ‘Existential’ feels less like an album and more like a sonic journey through the artist’s psyche. From the opening notes of tracks like ‘Inheritance’ and ‘Arbiter’ (featuring PAV4N from Foreign Beggars), which convey power and intensity, to the more mellow and rock-infused ‘The End of an Empire,’ Hawkes brings a fix for a very wide palette of emotions. Says Hawkes: “I’m a big film guy, often leaning towards the existential questions and mysterious possibilities of human progress. The organic and moving sounds of composers like Jon Hopkins and Hans Zimmer really interest me as well, and that played a key part in my mindset while producing the album. I am pleased that ‘Existential’ as a body of work grasps the essence of what makes me think, feel, and makes me myself, all within a musical format I am exceptionally passionate about.”
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The talented Producer, Cyazon, is back again with another smash remix, this time injecting his powerful signature style into Dimension’s “Where Do We Go.” Fresh from the release of his own production, “Before You Leave,” a collaboration with Au5 and Tyler Graves, Cyazon has had a busy year so far, dropping striking productions and electrifying remixes; now, showing no signs of slowing down, Cyazon delivers this dynamic new Drum & Bass remix that is poised to conquer dancefloors globally with its energetic beat and uplifting vibe. As he continues to showcase his impressive talents and skilled production style, Cyazon emerges as a powerful force within the Electronic Music realm and one to watch closely, as he keeps developing his style and finding new and exciting ways to elevate his soundscapes.
Cyazon has curated a distinct signature sound that blends elements from a range of genres like Dubstep, Electro House and Midtempo, to name a few; as he incorporates Futuristic and Cyperpunk elements, he innovates with his productions, presenting a unique and refreshing style. With such a hard-hitting signature sound, it is no surprise that Cyazon has already enjoyed several milestone achievements, including reaching over 2 million streams across leading platforms and receiving radio support from top names within the genre, like Don Diablo and Zomboy.
The track opens with a dreamy and ethereal vibe, quickly building momentum as a driving beat, powerful bassline, and punchy arpeggiator enter, adding an intense party-starter groove to the track. The uplifting energy continues through to the breakdown, where the atmospheric arrangement guides listeners through full-bodied string pads, bubbly synth progressions, and intensifying colourful sonic elements; the catchy vocals and dynamic low end create the mighty sound at the drop, delivering an anthemic vibe that showcases Cyazon’s signature production style. This new remix is an energetic and exciting listen that is unmissable for not only Cyazon’s followers but for all fans of the genre.
As Cyazon promises to keep delivering high-quality productions that consistently raise the bar and set him apart from his peers within Electronic Music, the talented Producer is poised to keep building momentum and reaching new creative milestones with each new release. Be sure to follow Cyazon across social media to keep up to date with his upcoming releases and exciting new projects. ‘Where Do We Go’ is out now and available to stream and download.
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I’m absolutely thrilled to share everything I’ve got on Aezon‘s soon-to-drop album, ‘Life Unknown.’ Undoubtedly, this 10-track masterpiece translates the deep thoughts of the mind and soul into electronic melodies. Make sure to jot down September 12th in your calendars!
To satisfy your curiosity, fascinating and intriguing aspects are detailed accurately below.
1. A Fusion of Emotions and Soundscapes
‘Life Unknown’ is an incredible blend of Dubstep, Techno, DnB, and PsyTrance, all woven together to create cutting-edge Electronica that pushes boundaries. This album draws inspiration from the depths of human feelings and the complexities of evolving perceptions.
Aezon’s own experiences with ups and downs serve as the catalyst for this unique creation too. Besides, you can expect dark themes throughout.
2. The Artist Behind the Sound
Aezon’s transition from a classically trained pianist/percussionist to an electronic music producer has infused ‘Life Unknown’ with a distinctive sonic fingerprint. Plus, her innate ability to translate raw emotions into harmonies and beats, gives this material a deeply personal touch that resonates with listeners.
3. Collaborative Project
In this case, collaborations with artists such as Ex-Inferis and Rare Holo enrich the whole album, adding layers of depth and dimension to the already striking tunes. Obviously, this peculiarity stands as proof of Aezon’s willingness to embrace new concepts with an open outlook.
4. Embark on a Transformative Expedition
Clearly, ‘Life Unknown’ isn’t merely an album; it’s an invitation. An invitation to embark on a transformative expedition through the corridors of self-reflection.
Although the instrumental elements outweigh the vocals in complexity, each tune will get you grooving to the beat while also prompting you to contemplate its sonic textures.
5. An Enigmatic Finale
As the album comes to an end, Aezon throws in a curveball: an alien invasion! This last part makes you think about things in a whole new way, making you wonder about how you see things. It’s a mysterious ending that’ll keep your mind spinning even after the music stops.
Without further ado, stay tuned for this electrifying release that promises to redefine modern electronic music and the very essence of life itself.
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Having ventured into music production during the onset of the pandemic, Timothy Michael Immen proudly presents today his skills in “Electric Dynamo.” With cheerful beats and bright synthesizers, the track exemplifies Micro EDM to perfection!
Currently, he has taken his talents overseas to Korea, where he plans to continue developing his eclectic style. In fact, he has a massive and highly formal release planned for next year, but it’s all hush-hush at the moment.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic film Bladerunner and even ABBA, Immen’s creation transports listeners to a futuristic underground club. Certainly, the instrumental arrangement speaks volumes, as well as the intense and energetic drops.
Not to mention, its lack of lyrics does not diminish its allure. Hit the play button below.
You know what’s cool? “Electric Dynamo” kinda feels like the soundtrack of a Sci-Fi odyssey. And, of course, the melodies stand out more because they have a concise and condensed structure without the build-ups you’re used to in commercial tunes.
Lastly, the Skype-recorded robotic vocals totally embrace the Space-Age vibe of this jam. So, it’s crystal clear that this simple yet essential element adds some extra flair and originality to the whole shebang.
Keep your headphones on, I’m sure there’s more excitement ahead with his forthcoming unconventional pieces.