@infinite-machine

Having unleashed music from producers spanning multiple continents in 2021; (from China to Hungary to Mexico to Greece...), Infinite Machine is poised to release the sophomore EP from the Moscow-via-Montreal producer Softmatter - entitled Hyle. Anna Pavlova, aka Softmatter, is an artist and vocalist whose output is characterised by twisted and distorted electronics, heavy-hitting drumwork and mutant vocal samples. With a keen interest in post-human theory, neuroscience and quantum physics; her musical practice explores the fluidity and uncertainty of experience and perception. In Anna’s own words “When I begin the creative process without expectations and embracing uncertainty, I get results that represent me the most.”

Hyle EP opens up with Levity, a track that’s equal parts unnerving and beautiful. Underpinned by bassy snarls and percussion that clicks and whirrs like a demonic ticking clock, Softmatter delivers lyrics (in both English and Russian) that revolve around self-acceptance and a refusal to let the judgements of others affect this self-conception. “Throw your shade if that’s your thing while I am moving freely. Don’t be so sure your expectations carry little weight here.” The icey, affected vocals and the densely layered beat they glide over on Levity seem to acutely pair up Softmatter’s love of both witch house artists like Salem and contemporary innovators like Fatima Al Qadiri and Aisha Devi. Whilst these references are very much on display, Levity still sounds utterly unique and sees Softmatter operating in her own lane.

Whilst the vocals on Levity are basically another layer of sound design in the mix, Softmatter’s voice takes centre stage on the following track, Morphe. The tracks refrain (“Reaching a new high, blood rushing through my vessels”) seems to tap into the euphoria depicted on the EP’s artwork, where we see a light-carrier bringing illumination into the uncertain darkness, providing realignment and acceptance to self. Woven in-between these pitched vocals is a driving, deconstructed beat full of idiosyncratic sonic surprises.

Rounding off Hyle EP, Who Am I 2 U is a ferocious and moody track whose intensity grows and swells over it’s duration. A nightmarish array of guttural samples and snatched synths groan whilst Softmatter sings of how we perceive and connect to each other as individuals; “Am I means to your goals or you see me as an equal? Who am I to you?”

Jumping from rigidity to fluidity, from otherness to unity, from controlling the immaterial to dancing with uncertainty; Softmatter’s Hyle EP packs a mighty punch built on an intriguing conceptual framework and crammed full of bold musical ideas. 

released August 27, 2021

Mastered by Fausto Mercier
Artwork by Olia Svetlanova

Hyle

IM093 - @soft-matter - Hyle
Label: @infinite-machine
Release Date: August 27th, 2021
Format: Digital

Having unleashed music from producers spanning multiple continents in 2021; (from China to Hungary to Mexico to Greece...), Infinite Machine is poised to release the sophomore EP from the Montreal producer Softmatter - entitled Hyle. Anna Pavlova, aka Softmatter, is an artist and vocalist whose output is characterised by twisted and distorted electronics, heavy-hitting drumwork and mutant vocal samples. With a keen interest in post-human theory, neuroscience and quantum physics; her musical practice explores the fluidity and uncertainty of experience and perception. In Anna’s own words “When I begin the creative process without expectations and embracing uncertainty, I get results that represent me the most.”

Hyle EP opens up with Levity, a track that’s equal parts unnerving and beautiful. Underpinned by bassy snarls and percussion that clicks and whirrs like a demonic ticking clock, Softmatter delivers lyrics (in both English and Russian) that revolve around self-acceptance and a refusal to let the judgements of others affect this self-conception. “Throw your shade if that’s your thing while I am moving freely. Don’t be so sure your expectations carry little weight here.” The icey, affected vocals and the densely layered beat they glide over on Levity seem to acutely pair up Softmatter’s love of both witch house artists like Salem and contemporary innovators like Fatima Al Qadiri and Aisha Devi. Whilst these references are very much on display, Levity still sounds utterly unique and sees Softmatter operating in her own lane.

Whilst the vocals on Levity are basically another layer of sound design in the mix, Softmatter’s voice takes centre stage on the following track, Morphe. The tracks refrain (“Reaching a new high, blood rushing through my vessels”) seems to tap into the euphoria depicted on the EP’s artwork, where we see a light-carrier bringing illumination into the uncertain darkness, providing realignment and acceptance to self. Woven in-between these pitched vocals is a driving, deconstructed beat full of idiosyncratic sonic surprises.

Rounding off Hyle EP, Who Am I 2 U is a ferocious and moody track whose intensity grows and swells over it’s duration. A nightmarish array of guttural samples and snatched synths groan whilst Softmatter sings of how we perceive and connect to each other as individuals; “Am I means to your goals or you see me as an equal? Who am I to you?”

Jumping from rigidity to fluidity, from otherness to unity, from controlling the immaterial to dancing with uncertainty; Softmatter’s Hyle EP packs a mighty punch built on an intriguing conceptual framework and crammed full of bold musical ideas.

Released by:
Infinite Machine
EP release date:
27 August 2021

Levity

DOWNLOAD

Single from "Hyle," the new EP from Montreal-based producer @soft-matter forthcoming 27.08.21 on @infinite-machine.

Pre-order

PREMIERE: Softmatter - Morphe [IM093]

IM093 - @soft-matter - Hyle
Label: Infinite Machine
Release Date: August 27th, 2021
Format: Digital

Having unleashed music from producers spanning multiple continents in 2021; (from China to Hungary to Mexico to Greece...), Infinite Machine is poised to release the sophomore EP from the Moscow-via-Montreal producer Softmatter - entitled Hyle. Anna Pavlova, aka Softmatter, is an artist and vocalist whose output is characterised by twisted and distorted electronics, heavy-hitting drumwork and mutant vocal samples. With a keen interest in post-human theory, neuroscience and quantum physics; her musical practice explores the fluidity and uncertainty of experience and perception. In Anna’s own words “When I begin the creative process without expectations and embracing uncertainty, I get results that represent me the most.”

Hyle EP opens up with Levity, a track that’s equal parts unnerving and beautiful. Underpinned by bassy snarls and percussion that clicks and whirrs like a demonic ticking clock, Softmatter delivers lyrics (in both English and Russian) that revolve around self-acceptance and a refusal to let the judgements of others affect this self-conception. “Throw your shade if that’s your thing while I am moving freely. Don’t be so sure your expectations carry little weight here.” The icey, affected vocals and the densely layered beat they glide over on Levity seem to acutely pair up Softmatter’s love of both witch house artists like Salem and contemporary innovators like Fatima Al Qadiri and Aisha Devi. Whilst these references are very much on display, Levity still sounds utterly unique and sees Softmatter operating in her own lane.

Whilst the vocals on Levity are basically another layer of sound design in the mix, Softmatter’s voice takes centre stage on the following track, Morphe. The tracks refrain (“Reaching a new high, blood rushing through my vessels”) seems to tap into the euphoria depicted on the EP’s artwork, where we see a light-carrier bringing illumination into the uncertain darkness, providing realignment and acceptance to self. Woven in-between these pitched vocals is a driving, deconstructed beat full of idiosyncratic sonic surprises.

Rounding off Hyle EP, Who Am I 2 U is a ferocious and moody track whose intensity grows and swells over it’s duration. A nightmarish array of guttural samples and snatched synths groan whilst Softmatter sings of how we perceive and connect to each other as individuals; “Am I means to your goals or you see me as an equal? Who am I to you?”

Jumping from rigidity to fluidity, from otherness to unity, from controlling the immaterial to dancing with uncertainty; Softmatter’s Hyle EP packs a mighty punch built on an intriguing conceptual framework and crammed full of bold musical ideas.

Softmatter - Who Am I 2 U

bookings: david@transatlantic.earth
contact: softmatter.x@gmail.com

-


—  select past shows  —

Oct 19, 2024: Creamcake, Berlin
Apr 21, 2024: Abadir, Chago, Tufi, Isaka; Berlin
Jul 07, 2023: Soulfeeder x Club Sirens, Berlin
Dec 16, 2023: XO Noir: Live set w/ Nthng and Blue Hour, Montreal
Aug 20, 2022: World Creations Studio, Montreal
July 7, 2022: SUBSTRAT Festival at Société des arts technologiques
May 7, 2022: Andy Stott at Newspeak, Montreal
Dec 12, 2021: unrar.me w/ Bloomfeld, Personal Brand, Neutralized, Berlin
Aug 25, 2021 : MUTEK https://montreal.mutek.org/en/artists/softmatter
Mar 13, 2021: COMMON MULTIVERSE by Currents.fm x Infinite Machine w/ Swan Meat, Laughing Ears, Bungalovv, Benfika, Koi, Fausto Mercier & Bonebrokk
May 2, 2020: Club Quarantine w Nkisi, Minimal Violence, Countess Malaise, Korea Town Acid & Venus In Foil
Dec 22, 2020: Untitled: Holiday Edition w/ Reka, Toronto
Nov 2, 2020: SOAKed w/ Korea Town Acid, Honey Drip & Venus in Foil, Toronto
Aug 14, 2019: Solo Show Klub CH25, Warsaw, PL 
July 14, 2019: I Love Promise w/ Fred P (NY), Cherry Beach, Toronto
June 18, 2019: Showcase w/ Cucina Povera & Raf Reza, June Records, Toronto
May 30, 2019: Showcase w/ Bénédicte, Khedo, Embassy Bar, Toronto
Jan 31, 2019: Showcase w/ Korea Town Acid, Embassy Bar, Toronto
Jul 01, 2018: ACT! (FKA Egyptrixx), Così e Così & Cares, Baby G, Toronto
Apr 26, 2018: Showcase w/ Joanne Pollock, Leucrocuta & Sages, Handlebar, Toronto