Browsing Tag

Electronic Trip Hop

Venom in the Reverb: Offworld Narcotics Lace Trip-Hop with Lynchian Limerance in ‘Siren Serpent’

Posted on 9 April 2025

As harbingering, serpentine, and seductive as the title would suggest, Siren Serpent by Offworld Narcotics is a salacious cocktail aimed at intoxicating your mind as much as the rhythmic pulses. The juxtapositions between the dark reverberant effects, chilling tones and timbres, and spectral shadows cast across the illuminated motifs and the ethereally diaphanous vocal lines as they refract light through the alchemised darkened corridors in the mix results in a hypnotic effect; you’ll be fully at the mercy of Offworld Narcotics as they build to a crescendo of Lynchian Avant-Garde beguile.

The trio behind the track – multi-instrumentalist Bryan Drummond, vocalist and producer William Fyke, and drummer-engineer Brandon Bera – have already laid down a reputation for sonic subversion. Their debut single Mariana earned spins on WFMU, and with their 2025 dual drop Siren Serpent and Chained (The Descent), they’ve proven their dedication to pushing their trip-hop sound further into the abyss.

Rooted in the rhythmic tension of artists like Portishead and Massive Attack, Siren Serpent flirts with electronica and alternative rock while keeping a firm focus on subjugating the listener through sound.

Siren Serpent is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Timothy and the Apocalypse channelled serenity into electronic emotion with ‘Say Something’

Posted on 30 January 2025

Timothy and the Apocalypse has built a reputation for composing cinematic electronica infused with intimate depth. With Say Something, now available on all major platforms after its launch on January 24th, the Sydney-based producer transcends his already impressive esteem. Crafted in the serene, off-grid hinterlands of New South Wales, the single pulls the tranquillity from the studio’s surroundings into the exposition of the raw complexities of love, vulnerability, and human connection.

The track spares all semblance of complacency as it unravels as a progressive revelation. After a sequence of trip-hop-tinged downtempo beats and subtle new wave synth-pop textures that shimmer with a syncopated vibrancy, much like the lineage of a relationship, the single evolves, taking unexpected turns to introduce everything from rock riffs to minor-key piano lines ache with quiet introspection to Sci-fi nuances which hover at the edges, amplifying the song’s otherworldly warmth and emotional resonance.

Each layer serves a purpose, building towards a heartfelt plea for connection, delivered without the weight of excessive demands. Poulton’s ability to balance tension and tranquillity creates a sonic panorama that won’t fail to inspire reflection and extend sonic solace.

With Say Something, Timothy and the Apocalypse reminds us that even within the intricacies of modern electronica, there’s space for tenderness and humanity.

Stream Say Something on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take a Celestial Trip with Timothy and the Apocalypse’s ‘The Ethereal Event’

Posted on 10 April 2022

Timothy and the Apocalypse’s latest single, The Ethereal Event, is a delicious cocktail of spacey synths, epic sci-fi-enabled transcendence, trip-hop breakbeats, and artful gravitas.

Despite the lush textures and endlessly ascending chord progressions, there are the Australian artist and producer’s signature dystopic motifs that bring gravity into this elevated, genre-hopping release. And notably, we’re not the only ones fixated on the artist’s sound. With thousands of monthly Spotify listeners, it is clear that Timothy and the Apocalypse carries the catharsis and escapism that is in high demand in his production style. We’re stoked to hear him back on trippy and Avant-Garde form after he infatuated us with his Lynchian feat of electronica, The Mindful Cherub.

You can experience The Ethereal Event for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Reactive Armor delivered dark and dirty big-beat-trip-hop from the European underground with their seminal track, ModelA

Posted on 3 March 2022

If you take your electronica harsh, dirty and cinematic, Reactive Armor’s big beat soundscore, ModelA has all the makings of a playlist staple. The European underground electronica outfit consists of the classically trained synth player, drummer, and mixer, Tamas Valkar, and Andras Czimmermann on sax, woodwind and EWI. Together, they orchestrate blockbuster-worthy mechanical trip-hop that isn’t short of panoramic or visceral feeling.

It’s only a matter of time before Reactive Armor loses their underground status or breaks into the film score industry. Their dystopic sound isn’t just massive; it’s devilishly clever and easily on the same level as the artists on the Sucker Punch OST.

The official video for ModelA’s seminal track is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast