Out With The Old, In With The New

Dälek are best described as hip-hop noise pioneers and they have completed another album, Asphalt For Eden. The group has not released a full-length album since 2009, which was Gutter Tactics.

The band is known for their dark and somewhat twisted sounds that they have brought into the hip-hop scene since the late 1990’s. The dark ambiance of their work is still present in Asphalt For Eden, but the resurrected group brings something new to their fans. The album consists of seven tracks, and is slightly over 38 minutes. Its consistent evolution throughout the album follows through with their distinct sound, without losing their 90s feel.

The new lineup in the band consists of Mike Manteca on samples and effects and DJ rEk on turntables. This new squad began working together last spring of 2015. Their first single as a new band was “Masked Laughter.”

Dälek brings a unique spin on shining light on the importance of changing the way hip-hop sounds in the DIY hip-hop movement. Many journalists and artists describe Dälek as one of the most genuine DIY hip-hop artists in the industry.

The band’s rhythmic escape into their music is like no other. It leaves the listener in a trance with the great production of dark melodies conjoined with a hip-hop ambiance. It’s definitely a raw sound that many articles have described to be“ the mix between Public Enemy and My Bloody Valentine.” While some fans doubted how the band would sound without their ex-producer Oktopus, it isn’t hard to hear that the band is as strong as ever with their soundscapes.

“It Just Is” starts with a calming trance like sounds that eventually transition into a darker sound. There is only one verse in the entire song and then leads into an inspiring sample. The hook of the song is looped until the song is over while the transient sounds continue. “It Just Is” is a hypnotizing sensation from the beginning to the end of the song.

Hip-hop fans that want to hear a change in the industry should listen to Asphalt For Eden. A specific artist to compare their beats to is Kid Cudi, however; the texture in their lyrics is completely different.