My love for SATURATE had highs and lows over the years, but I’ve never ever dared to question the quality of their work. Their team has been nurturing the bass scene for over a decade now, providing us, hungry listeners, with first-class singles, EPs, albums, vinyl, and videos. SATURATE‘s discography has always been my go-to reference to hear what the future of bass music had in store for us. They’re simply, always ahead.
With no surprise, 2023 is set off to a paramount start for the German label, with an EP that “is the future of Leftfield Bass, Trap, and Hybrid Grime” and “it’s going to define a new era on the dance floor, reimagining 140 beats that typically are stereotyped into narrow categories.” The mastermind behind such a project, called SELF TITLED, is RATIONAL SOUL a Virginia-based, veteran electronic music producer. The EP is coming out in full on January 13, digitally and on vinyl, and it features six originals and four remixes. Today, we have the pleasure to premiere ‘Ghost Rare.’
As the most minimalistic cut on the project, ‘Ghost Rare’ relies on just a handful of elements to deliver its message. Kick, sub bass, and one, single pluck synth. What sounds like a disorienting emptiness at the beginning, makes perfect sense when read as part of the overall narrative of the composition. “One moment you’re living happy-go-lucky, almost like it’s the script of a Disney movie, the next moment you’re questioning why you exist- how is it you’ve become a slave to the 9 to 5? Phone by your side as digital anti-anxiety medication, entertaining yourself with something nostalgic to remind yourself of better times…war against yourself, to reset your identity.” The fight against this subconscious condition was RATIONAL SOUL’s starting point while writing SELF TITLED and ‘Ghost Rare’ seems to be the origin of the story. That repetitive single sound seems to simulate the artist’s attempt to light a lighter to ignite a spark in our consciousness and thus reveal the void in which we are immersed. “Wake up” he seems to want to tell us. Don’t be a pawn, be a player of your life. Let’s riot against this status quo and, quoting RATIONAL SOUL himself, “Let’s be gangsta and fuck shit up because we are mad at why our world is falling apart: twerk on a cop car with a fine cigar in your mouth type beat.” He then concludes by spilling one, big truth, “what better genre of music could describe these feelings than bass music?” How could we not agree?
SELF TITLED EP is out in full on Friday. Get yourself in the mood by watching this exclusive short film by DRANQ, which features teasers of all the tunes.
