Coming out of a highly prolific 2015 which saw the debut of his acclaimed Art In Color project, the release of Optikal Recordings' first compilation, Volume One, and a handful of first-rate releases including his rework of the famous track Nexus and his popular club anthem Fyre, Optik triumphantly returns to the label with his latest opus, the Appalachia EP. Billed as the last release in his traditional progressive house format, the EP is Optik in his purest form, combining his signature intricate composition with new and improved synthesis and sound design.

Title track Appalachia, based off the famous 1944 ballet and suite by composer Aaron Copland, is built around a poignant, rural chord scheme and classic progressive grooves, all masterfully integrated into an organic, ever-evolving arrangement.

The centerpiece of the EP, Prayer, juxtaposes euphoric chords with clubby drums and a haunting atmosphere. Peaceful keyboards and an angelic chorus round out the track, creating a ethereal and dreamlike effect.

Closing the EP is the beautiful outro mix of Appalachia. Foregoing the usual beat outro present in most dance tracks, the Outro mix reworks the end of the track into a breathtaking finale, replete with melancholy pads and a single, solitary woodblock, all gently fading slower and slower into the infinite.

Appalachia (Outro Mix)

Prayer (Original Mix)

The architect of Optikal Recordings returns for his final release of 2015 with "Blackbird Singing". Recalling the acoustic/electronic fusion of Redux, Pt. 1 and the dreamy melodic bent of Art In Color, Blackbird Singing blends driving bass and thick, analog drums with otherworldly vocals and a killer guitar riff. 

On B-side duties is Unkn0wn's slick remix, taking the formidable groove of the original and combining it with Unkn0wn's signature ear for sound design and synthesis.
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Blackbird Singing (Unkn0wn Remix)

Blackbird Singing

Appalachia (Original Mix)

Celebrating the launch of the official Optikal Recordings website, Optik follows up February's Appalachia EP with Voyager, another release poised to cement itself as a landmark in the Chicago artist's extensive discography. Showcasing a new, unique sound for Optik's productions, Voyager boasts a anthemic chord progression coupled with glistening synths and a lethal low end, all wrapped in a expansive 80's aesthetic. Voyager is available exclusively on the new official Optikal Recordings Store.

Voyager (Original Mix)

After a few months on break, Optikal Recordings is proud to present our first release since summer, Optik's anthemic remix of Unkn0wn classic track, "The Meaning". The remix opens with tribal percussion and haunting atmosphere, giving way to a slow build and a truly explosive drop.

Unkn0wn - The Meaning (Optik Remix)

Optik's extensive and organic discography never fails to challenge common dance music perceptions, and his new record Excelsior, the first Optikal Recordings release of 2017, is a strong testament to that fact. Liquid synths and retro percussion dominate the synthwave-inspired Excelsior, creating a track that excels at both peak-time club power and melodic technique, packaged in a supremely cyberpunk aesthetic.

Excelsior

Originally released January 18th, 2015. Digitally remastered for reissue.

The Way (Remastered & Reissued)

Producer and composer. Founder of the record label/collective/group Optikal Recordings (@optikalrecordings)

Side project: @art-in-color

Submit demos for Optikal Recordings to: optikalrecordings@gmail.com

Optik

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