Newly founded NY-based imprint Samsāra Music follows up its maiden voyage with another scrumptious compilation for ‘SM002’. Somewhere between primal and futuristic, organic and mechanical, this gripping compendium sees the label tapping bawab, Dunbar, Cam Steen, Deisen, Dysco, and HVED for collaborations and singles that work together in perfect balance for a memorable installment in the brand’s budding storyline.
Alluring from the first beat, bawab & Dunbar’s ‘Calculated’, which also features the collaboration of Cam Steen, draws us in with its restless low-end pulse and wonky percussive patterns before a carnival-esque chord sequence slowly surges to the fore, subduing us under its spell. In an instant, a low-hanging lead starts working its restrained magic as we strut across the piece with calculated demeanor, as guitars strum us deeper inside for a rousing blend of romance and introspection. A tantalizing clash of worlds, ‘Calculated’, is a rich and flavorful introduction to Samsāra Music’s sophomore delivery.
Following up, New York’s Deisen and Dysco come together for ‘Secret Society’, a masterclass in depth and precision. Cavernous, yet expansive, this collaboration’s gravitational pull thrusts us down an uncharted chasm as we glide across a series of dazzling effects that sway in and out of frame. It’s a complex ecosystem that comes alive with each passing beat, unfurling in mesmerizing ways before leading to a minimalistic breakdown where ‘Secret Society’ is stripped down to its bare bones before resuming its march inside this interstellar rift.
Returning to Samsāra Music for a second time, HVED wraps up the brand’s second EP with the warm ‘Solace’. A restrained epic, this final piece follows a throbbing bassline as it treads over a tight frame, unearthing a series of meandering synthetic blankets that ebb and flow in gorgeous contrast. Suddenly, the piece starts to wail and contort in fascinating fashion without ever becoming stifling, undulating and lingering as the landscape shifts while melodic strikes echo at the forefront for an intricate outing that defies imagination at every turn.
Sophisticated, yet brimming with energy and a thirst for curiosity, Samsāra Music’s ‘SM002’ is a most alluring collection of tracks that expand the label’s unique aural proposal, and invite exploration of the more immersive side of organic and downtempo music with a cerebral twist without compromising passion.
Samsāra Music’s ‘SM002’ is out now. Purchase your copy here.
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