Breakcore, Drill&Bass, HyperJungle, DrumFunk, Jungle & tunes that blur those lines. 🥁🔊🧬🫠

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SERA022: Satellite Era presents “Signals From The Uncharted Expanse EP,” an array of acidic sound baths by Julian La Brooy, best known as Hitori Tori.

Out now on all major platforms: ffm.to/sera022

The braindance movement of the 90s was a pivotal era for electronic music, marking the sharpest left turn up to that point. As we began to connect through the World Wide Web, it was only a matter of time until producers would inspire each other to outpace their newfound internet peers. What would a post-braindance ecosystem look like?

Early adopters of drill ‘n’ bass, a neutral zone between braindance and jungle, likely could not have imagined what would come next. Enter the realm of breakcore - a high-stakes, high-octane subgenre that completely shook the experimental music scene in North America. From this point forward, there were no rules left to break, and with technology improving in quality and accessibility, the underground circuit of the early 2010s bloomed with fresh talent. To defeat oversaturation, beatmakers undoubtedly had to adapt to the obscurities within newly developing sound palettes; it is no surprise that we eventually landed on Vancouver-based artist Hitori Tori and his standout collection of eclectic sonics.

After mysteriously setting free demos from the early 2000s that made waves on Soulseek, Hitori Tori went on to become one of Canada’s best exports in experimental electronics. His consistent output landed him on grassroots record labels worldwide such as Kaometry, Occult Research, Concrete Collage, and recently - our friends at Evel. His signature sound evolved from fuzzy and rustic braindance elements, to pure breakbeat chaos. His approach to breakcore diverges from his predecessors, incorporating more atmosphere in the stereo, melodic sequences, and playful vocal samples to round it up. His latest contribution to the experimental music sphere expands on all these ideas, with a slight acidic aftertaste.

We welcome Hitori Tori to our crew with “Signals From The Uncharted Expanse EP,” an otherworldly project that takes his breakcore proficiency a step further while under the influence of acid techno. The basis of each track, unpredictable by nature, is a live performance that incorporates real-time sampling and improvising jams on his drum pads. At the heart of his production is the use of a tracker software, which is masterfully pushed to its limits throughout the EP. This can be heard in the single “Respite Compote,” a track that rapidly progresses from a sole acidic bassline, to a collage of disorderly drums and carefully selected vocal cuts. Keeping the energy up is “Younger Loves Phone,” a perfect showcase of his dedication to the renowned 303 synthesizer for this project. For those unable to process such rapid drum work, “Birdtits” and “Knots Will Fring” turn the tempo down to serve as accessible breakbeat workouts made for the dancefloor. “Racepatoc” is a suitable conclusion to the EP, with twitchy percussion proceeding into its outro that sounds like it belongs on a video game soundtrack - an arcade fighter, perhaps.

“Signals From The Uncharted Expanse EP” is a caustic celebration of what Hitori Tori has always excelled in - creating shapeshifting soundscapes full of disorderly drums and memorable samples. Though his forward-thinking style has progressed throughout the years, it still pays homage to what made experimental electronic music inimitable. The project becomes mutated with a newly discovered acid techno obsession, complementing his off-kilter drum programming and nostalgic vocals effortlessly. 

Written & produced by Julian La Brooy
Mastered by Amir Mashayekhi
Cover art & visuals by Nic Juister

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