Abstractions: Collected By Somatoast brings some of the best up-and-coming downtempo producers together for a special release hand-crafted by Somatoast and his top-tier production and eye for talent. This marks the first Artist EP from Gravitas Recordings, as they pave a new kind of release focusing on their main artists lifting up-and-coming producers. Somatoast hand-picked artists that fit his sound to showcase along with his own music for this special release, and the end result was an insane collection of downtempo bass tracks. Full of drippy sound design, heavy bass and downtempo grooves, this release is a collection of ideas and a look into the talented mind of Somatoast. Featuring Gravitas-affiliated artists and some fresh faces that have impressed Somatoast, Abstractions is ready to melt minds and offer a journey through modern bass music.
‘Vox Populi’ from Somatoast opens with beautiful synths and distant trippy sound design, building into a crunchy downtempo beat that immediately puts the listener in a trance. It slowly adds in booming 808s and eventually heavier growls and intense sound design, but never loses its downtempo feel and pulls back in a perfect way.
‘Galaxies’ from Nyquist builds an insane soundscape of echoing percussion to build into a heavy stripped-down drop full of wubs and a groovy beat. This call and response was perfect and made the drop slam hard for how simple it is, perking the listener's ears and leaving them wanting more.
‘Kaleidoscopia’ from DeemZoo & Martins Garden brings down the energy and is an absolutely beautiful downtempo track full of catchy vocal chops and floaty synths. The second drop brings in heavier sound design but never loses its original beauty or takes away from the infectious soundscape it created.
‘Wisteria’ from Dillard & Entangled Mind is another surreal track that blends the two artists' sounds in a perfect way. With their unique use of foley, live instruments, and vocal resampling this is a dreamy track that could stay on repeat for days.
‘Balance’ from 18 Hands truly brought some balance to this release with one of the heavier tracks on the compilation while still keeping the downtempo drums and style. An epic cinematic build to heavy growls and bass paired with an arpeggiated synth that blows our minds in a way we can’t explain.
‘Blueberry Bubbles’ from EOS spares no time and jumbos straight into funky blends of glitch hop and downtempo. A heavier end to this release that teases something much more, and we can’t wait for what is in store.