It has been long known that when an artist has cross-over appeal they can soar to far greater heights than those focusing on a niche market. Dirt Monkey, a seasoned producer who came up in the dubstep scene, is someone who understands that with variety comes freedom to fully express oneself. His new album, Chroma, is a declaration to his fans that the old Dirt Monkey is gone, and in his place is a versatile producer who will be known more for his unique and recognizable sound, instead of making one specific genre.
The album’s title track doubles as the intro, inviting the listener “put your hands up” and partake in the fun that is to come. The track embodies the album’s declarative nature by changing up in the 2nd drop in to a bouncy drum and bass tune, complete with snippets from the classic amen drum break.
Dirt Monkey’s use of the aforementioned sample is just one instance where he shows his inspirations from the near 15 years he’s been producing. The following track, “Combination Style”, is a unique. breakbeat tune with lush melodic pads that feel like the were plucked straight out of the Chicago house scene. “The Juice”, found later on the project, also draws from house history, blending infectious vocals and plucks with the phat brass stabs and wobbly bass found in many bass house tunes today.
Fans of the producer’s roots needn’t worry though, there are a quite a few heavy tunes on the album as well. For example, the recent single “Super Saiyan” is a trap banger where Harvey J’s auto-tuned vocals lay over top of a dark synth line, leading into a fast paced drop complete with chopped vocals and phat 808’s. The dubstep tune “Battlestar Dirtlactica (feat Seraiah)” focuses on complex but clean basses, filled with eargasmic internal movement.
Some chill future bass inspired tunes are also scattered around the album to break things up. These tunes, while short, are complex, beautiful, and give the album a lot more replay value outside the club. Our favorites include “Maui Sunrise”, which feature uplifting arpeggios and crunchy claps, and the album closer “Gum Drops”, which is a fast paced tune with wide supersaws and a colorful lead synth.
Besides the quality of the songs itself, perhaps the best thing about the album is the fact that it flows so nicely, which as we learned in our interview with the producer, was achieved through meticulous design. From the moment it starts Chroma is a sonic journey that leaves the listener on the edge of their seat wondering what’s going to come next. If Dirt Monkey’s goal was to paint himself as someone unpredictable he certainly achieved it, leaving us at Raver Rafting eager to see what his next release will hold.
Connect With Dirt Monkey
https://www.facebook.com/dirtmonkeymusic
https://twitter.com/dirtmonkeymusic
https://soundcloud.com/dirtmonkey
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