Chicago-based Mike Inzano, known by his production persona Inzo, has been swiftly capturing the attention of audiences around the country with his unique take on bass music that puts a staggering emphasis on funk. A veritable King Midas of forward-thinking audio, everything this man touches is instant gold, with each release of his garnering over 100,000 plays a piece on SoundCloud alone. Now, he’s packed up his suitcase and joined the Professor X of bass music, Martin Staaf, also known as Liquid Stranger, in his tirade of musical domination. Just as Professor X curated a place for mutants to be themselves and to grow into the people they were meant to be, Staaf has formed the Wakaan label, a Hoover vacuum for artists pushing sonic boundaries. Today, Inzo has blessed the label with his first EP release, the Multiverse EP, a true showcase of his intensely broad range of styles and talents.
Stepping up first to the plate on the EP is the title track ‘Multiverse,’ a miraculous piece brimming with originality and attitude. The intro is reminiscent of a brisk summer morning where you wake up feeling fully refreshed, light gently pouring into your room, sunning your face and instructing you to get up. You make coffee and hold the cup in your hands, taking that first sip and delighting in the warmth on your hands and your eyes getting a tad bit wider. The build of the track is you getting in your car, you’re about to meet up with some friends. The color of the day is a mix of yellow and orange, full of energy and positivity, but keeping it mellow overall. The drop is you putting the top down, feeling the rush of the acceleration around you, thrilled just to be existing in that very moment. The bassy undertones of this track mixed with the melody create this space of innocent giddiness, eliciting an instinctual grin sure to keep fans coming back for their fix.
2nd in rotation is ‘Let it Slide,’ an almost disco-esque glitch-hop funk fest that possesses one to head bop like a sassy voodoo doll. Presenting impeccable sound design and absolutely thrashing danciness, this song will have you practically catapulting off your feet to hit the dance floor to bust out your most alien moves. Aided by Blookah in the production and with the added bonus of Leo Napier’s silky-smooth vocals, ‘Let It Slide’ is a prime example of a whole ass vibe. This is a perfect pick-me-up song as the whole package oozes uncontrollable amounts of good vibes, and should surely not be a piece you “let slide.”
Smack dab in the middle of the EP is ‘Y,’ a palette cleansing midtempo banger that transports you straight to a robotic realm of mystery. The builds into the drops are the belts leading our automaton through the factory to completion. Once it reaches the end, it’s fully prepared to take on life, a feeling you’ll be all too familiar with as the sound waves will thrust confidence into every facet of your being. Incorporating quick switch ups and expertly timed builds, this song is a true testament to Inzo’s incredibly well-rounded talent. Listening to the full body of work in order, this will be the first song that makes you grip your chair that much harder as your pulse quickens and you think “oh shit here we go again.”
Next comes ‘Spectrum’, a fitting title for a track that hits such a wide range. The intro is this airy, light, beautiful soundscape that incorporates birds chirping and other noises from nature that leaves this full-bodied clean feeling emanating from your center. The first drop is very reminiscent of Flume’s style, stylistically hollow melodies entwined perfectly with satisfying kicks that feel like your mind is being transported to a higher plane of consciousness. The latter drop is in stark contrast, warning the listener of their incoming doom with a scream right before the deluge of bass. A clever play on the overall Multiverse aesthetic, this is a prime example of a light and dark dichotomy within the same piece.
Rounding out the EP is ‘Helluvadrug,’ a collaboration with fellow Chicago native Stratus. Easily the hardest-hitting track in this body of work, this is perfectly placed in the rotation as it’s a pristine grand finale. Fans will be hard-pressed to decide which bangs with more authority, this song, or their heads listening to it.
If there’s anything to take away from the Multiverse EP, it’s that Inzo can grapple with whatever style he pleases in that moment. Combining his sheer raw talent with the push for individuality and creativity that is so important to the Wakaan label, fans should be eagerly awaiting to see just how much this bright young artist can grow in coming years. With the chance to push in any direction he pleases, the world really is Inzo’s oyster.
Make sure to check out the Multiverse EP in its entirety for yourself below!
