Back again for an al fresco mix from one of our very own OUEMS crew, LJ Balance. LJ balance is the new kid on the Oxford block, originally from London, he recently arrived back last October and has firmly cemented himself within the Oxford scene in an impressively short amount of time in the city. LJ Balance has a dynamic approach to electronic music, rarely looking back, he is at the forefront of UK inspired sounds and this mix is chopped full of it. 

Kicking of proceedings, LJ Balance begins with a skewed drum 'n' bass sound intertwined with frissons of rhythmic excitement. Tensile beats make way for airy pads and snappy arpeggiated synths; the archetypal regimented kick drums lose shape and fragment, joining the melodic elements throughout this early section.

As we proceed, percussive elements precipitate through and the mix transforms to a more familiar, driving beat. The interplay of percussion and groove meld so seamlessly that teasing apart their individual components becomes almost impossible; the sharp beats and rhythmic patterns interlock with a fluidity that mirrors the natural flow of movement. 

Towards the peak of the mix, we transition into electro-infused sounds. Heavy bass patterns, shakingly-deep resonant vocals and distinctive, unpredictable synth patterns surge through with an intense, pensive energy, dominating this section of the mix.

The tail end of the mix slows things down, with the forceful and propulsive bassline giving way to a gentle, fluid bassline with a warped texture. Percussion is there to gently aid the colossal pads and acutely chopped vocals. A positive and vibrant conclusion. 

This mix is a rejection of what we all know electronic music to be, sometimes a rigorous and repetitive affair, LJ Balance breaks this down with a highly produced mix with some incredible forward thinking sounds.

TRACKLIST:
Kincaid - Sudden shifts in perspective [Grid]
Elephas - E.O.U [PAL.Sounds]
Lithe - Second Pavilion [Self Released]
Konx-Om-Pax - Rez (Skee Mask Remix) [Planet Mu]
Sentinel 793 - Movements [Universal Magnetic]
Hagan - Right Here [Future Bounce]
Destrata - Low Sun [INDEXLIFE]
(?) - [Cloudcore]
Gavnlig - Brands [INDEXLIFE]
Otik - Clairvoyant [Graded]
Surusinghe - BAD GIRLS [Steel City Dance Discs]
Gafacci - Wabisabi [Self Released]
Dotorado Pro - Macumba [Enchufada]
Mercy System - Troika Shuffle (Pluralist Remix) [Meld]
Y.A - Juggling [Emoticons]
LCY - Cherubim [SZNS7N]
Mr. Mitch - Trusss [Gobstopper]
Desert Sound Colony - Another Fish in the Pan [Unknown to the Unknown]
Front Bench - TEMPTING [199]
Yarn Init - A1 San City [Mind Controlled Rectifier]
DJ Karawai - OPERATOR [Sauce Traxx]
Aloka - View Source [Haws]
Soft Grunge - Bass in Your Chest [Posse Up!]
Thodén - Gush [Electroménager]
Stenny - Blind Corners [Ilian Tape]
Kenji Ko - Coaxer [3024]
Nico - Passage (feat. Tristan Arp) [Grid]
Moodrich - 4:44 AM [Self Released]
Skee Mask - CZ3000 Dub [Ilian Tape]
Tom VR - Soared Straight Through Me [all my thoughts]

EMS Mix #007 - LJ Balance

English, Ecuadorian record collector and DJ based in London. Organiser of the Climate Controlla climate fundraiser events and founder of Bit'a Summat. Previously radio host at AAJA and Keakie music. 

Fascinated by fast, hypnotic and dark sounds from across the bpm and genre spectrum, with focus on 90s/00s psy, trance and techno with progressive arrangements, and contemporary IDM infused, ritualistic te-ch/k-no.

Always down to craft something interesting for your mix series or radio shows!

The official electronic music society of the University of Oxford.

Join the Whatsapp group & mailing list to stay updated!

Promoting the absolute best in EDM from upcoming producers!  Follow us and submit your music, producer: awesometrackspromotion@gmail.com

EMS Mix #007 - LJ Balance

Oxford University Electronic Music Society