This year is set to be another vivid chapter for Rarefied, whose special brand of Dubstep has stretched the genre into outer-national and psychedelic headspaces with transmissions from Soukah, T.A.R and Sibla.
The newest artifact from Primer is par-for-the-course. Four tracks that weave field recordings from windswept bogs, worldly sample digging from molding phonographs found in dusty basements, and loose rhythmic constructions that are a mongrel blend of contemporary rap, Croydon Dubstep, and Brainfeeder.
From the ghostly oud playing that graces across the homespun percussion of “Nowhere and Nothing”, the refracted horn sections of “Drowned” to the shimmering addendum of “Tal pt.II, Primer chalks a fine line between headphone moments and dance floor material. Ultimately, the melodic, hypnagogic fragility of “I Had a Faraway Dream” is an especially poignant curtain call for Rarefied’s first record of 2019.
Rarefied’s newest sonic assault finds label mates Sibla and Zygos in some chthonic dwelling performing occult rites for sub bass dominance. Three prime cuts of out-there dubstep for fans of moldy, decrepit basements, decaying houses in the middle of woods, and fog drenched nights.
“The Path” heaves underneath pneumatic infrabass pressure and a din of percussion that sounds like a warehouse falling apart. It lurches forward on broken ankles, scanning with cataract eyes, for its next victim.
The aptly named “Haunted” is built from the ground up on EVP recordings, static hiss, and disintegrating tape reels. A lone scream echoes towards infinity until the mid-way point where black stars crack the void.
The circle is complete with “Sigil”. Hewn together with horror flick soundtracks, whispered voices and a feral half-step foundation. It seems Zygos and Sibla’s golem has breathed life for the first time.
Rarefied return after a deliciously jazzy release from their sister label.
This time label mainstay Zygos is at the helm for a release that blends Rarefied’s penchant for outer-national sample digging, trap rhythmic formations, and psychedelic soundfields for a three track EP that feels like some other-wordly VHS tape found in the woods.
Welcoming back the artist who kicked things off for Rarefied back in 2016. Soukah returns to the label in style delivering 3 tracks, including our first collaboration with label homeslices Primer & T.A.R, and serving it up for us on a slab of 180g heavyweight vinyl.
First contact has been made: Primer is poised to elevate listeners into the stratosphere, with RARE6 coming through as Rarefied's answer to the Voyager Golden Record.
After almost a two year break in releases, D-Operation Drop returned with releases on Lion Charge, ZamZam & Moonshine to cement their place as one of the finest Dubwise acts in the business.
October will see D-Operation Drop link up with Rarefied to bring three darker, purpose built cuts under the DPRTNDRP moniker, each track carrying their signature production qualities while also delivering a darker edge which is synonymous with the Rarefied imprint.
Onwards and downwards - T.A.R's debut vinyl release takes Rarefied deeper into a world of distortion, compression and the macabre. Bon Ding Ding - time for round three!
After a series of successful digital releases, Soukah bursts onto the vinyl scene, presenting a sound crafted over the course of almost a decade. His past works range from Industrial Noise to his own unique take on Dubstep. RARE1 showcases Soukah's versatile approach to production - His organic style, based on dark synthesis and unorthodox drum patterns, is a true representation of the Rarefied sound.
'JAK FOU' is the result of six months of studio time; the classical piano riff combined with haunting percussion results in an experience akin to ingesting 18 grams of psycobilin. On the flip side 'Loner' is a far darker, moodier affair. Written solely by candlelight, the production evokes the darkest elements of Soukah's soul. This track is best enjoyed alone, in the wilderness.
