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Pushloop releases mind blowing EP, George Orwell [Album Review]

There’s an almost sinister voice urgently speaking about the dangers of boredom and how boredom is all part of a plot for mind control by our government. No, that’s not my own brain spewing so-called “conspiracy” theories (because come on, aren’t we realizing so many of them are true?). No, it’s the beginning of Pushloop’s George Orwell EP. A cleverly sampled scene from the 1981 film My Life With Andre, the message that is being said in the first track “George Orwell” is a perfect introduction into the next thirteen minutes of dark, thought-provoking bass. Released on June 28th, Pushloop produces intricate minimalism that provides a fresher way of listening to those grimy, stank face-inducing beats: because this time, we are deeply immersed in the bottomless void of trying to answer the unanswerable questions of the universe.

Deep inside this dark void of guttural bass beats, Pushloop introduces a hauntingly beautiful violin in this first track. It’s stunning. Rarely is a singular orchestral instrument used in today’s underground bass music and then given so much space to breathe. (Side note: Huxley Anne’s sunrise set at Emission 2017 featured a melancholic yet incredible piano sample. I had some rather profound realizations in that moment).

Pushloop’s violin sample stands out, and is the prominent feature on the track. It gives the track more depth as it cascades into a myriad of industrial sounds that sound like they’re pulled right from the darkened alleyways of a city after sunset.

The second track “Purple Tapestry” is like walking through old chambers in a forgotten city, 1000 years in the future. The melodies are dusty chandeliers, reminiscent of an ancient time once filled with light. These melodies are melancholic and beautiful, shrouded in mystery. With a production that is as rich as the many hues of purple, this second track is shimmering; the ethereal sounds weave together to become a cohesive, intricate map of the grand city.

When at once we are completely captivated and enclosed in this ancient city, Pushloop transports us directly to the jungle. On this third track, appropriately named “The Jungle”, the listener is thrown right into the lion’s den (quite literally, there is a scowling, growling lion that sounds as if it is breathing down on your neck). We hear a warning from an elephant followed by a chirping of birds, frogs and other insects. However, Pushloop begins to transform those background-noise birds into catchy melodies that suggest that not all is predictable about the jungle. He slowly and deliberately places bass at just the right time, leading us by the hand deeper into the mystery of the unknown landscape. Suddenly, we escape the voices of the jungle and begin to hear other voices, appearing out of the mist of the forest.

“Voices” is by far the most spine-tingling song in this 4-track EP. It is dystopic and mind-bending. The sampled voices (that seem to be children at a playground) climbs up the walls of sound, tangling and scratching around amongst the beats. That may sound kind of creepy, but this track is slightly jarring and definitely intense. The imagery I receive is running around endless corners in dark, narrow passageways. Amongst numerous unsettling noises, Pushloop provides a grinding, consistent beat. “Voices” is the final track on the George Orwell EP, leading us from ancient, dusty cities to industrial passageways and dark paranoia. It ties in well with the beginning track that speaks of conspiracies with a prodigal urgency.

It seems that Pushloop’s latest EP is a sonic journey exploring the deepest and often darkest moments of the experiences humans have in the walls we have created around ourselves. It keeps your mind always questioning and your body dancing in never-ending mysterious movement.

Listen to Pushloop’s George Orwell EP on SoundCloud now.

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