“The amygdala is one of two almond-shaped clusters of nuclei located deep and medially within the temporal lobes of the brain in complex vertebrates, including humans. As part of the limbic system, the amygdalae perform a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making and emotional responses (including fear, anxiety, and aggression).” End of the neurology lesson, back to the music.
To be honest, when it comes to this new Amygdala EP (out on YUKU), it’s not so easy to separate the music from the concept behind it. We’ve already written many times about yunis’ renowned sound-craftsman skills, but never as in this project, has he built such pervasive storytelling around his productions. Knowing what an amygdala is, is just the first step of a long stair that climbs down into the artist’s vision of himself and the surrounding world. These were yunis’ last words before starting to speak through basslines and synths.
“I see myself as a receiving unit—sensing my surroundings, processing the emotions of others and myself, never knowing what’s true or untrue, never knowing if I have processed things in the right or wrong way, because somehow, one’s decisions will always be influenced by something or someone else. The emotional and physical contortions that society puppeteers us into manifesting.” – Yunis
‘Kosmos’ (produced in collaboration with SRP) is the incipit of the Amygdala experience, and let me say, what a hell of a welcome is this. It immediately states loud and clear that the EP will be a challenge where, from the very first second, yunis will play with our perceptions. The long, heavily filtered intro for example, resembles a menacing war march, but as the seconds pass, it’s clear that the climax our brains expect won’t arrive. This unease feeling of stalling continues even in the drop, which arrives without warning and charges the atmosphere with further repressed tension. It’s like watching a formidable thunderstorm from far away, that however will never come closer. As thunder and lightning arrive at your ears and eyes, you know that out there, in front of you, there’s an immense power way greater than you. Although, this distance acts as a barrier that will allow you to fathom just an illusion of its real potential. As the thunders and lightning in this vision, ‘Kosmos’ dry kick, deep sub and grave synths trigger a similar psychological game, keeping our fantasy on its toes and never letting this veil of mystery fall. How would the track have sounded with a more explosive drop? I’m afraid we’ll never know. Talking a bit more technically, the design here (and across all the seven tracks) is on absolutely crazy levels. The oscillating effect that pervades the track wonderfully conveys the ambiguous and uncertain atmosphere while every single sound reaches us clear and crystalline, from the smallest percussion to the deepest sub’s note.
You can now experience ‘Kosmos’ below and be sure to check out the whole Amygdala EP (which also includes a collaboration with Rohaan).
