Incorporating a host of unique instruments with an arrangement to match, Wing Zero’s latest project ‘Void’ brings together a collection of interchangeable and permeable bass sections, a deluge of luscious synths, and a blend of smooth hip-hop grooves to craft soundscapes that are thoroughly unique and entirely immersive. The project of Los Angeles based producer and bassist, Josh Engel has already worked with a host of renowned artists like Jhene Aiko, SiR, and The Black Eyed Peas. He also serves as the co-leader of a critically acclaimed electronic soul/future beats collective Endless Waltz.
With all that acclaim, Engel’s desire to become a musician is actually quite surprising. It all happened on a trip to Japan for the bassist. “Japan was such a special place,” Engel shares. “Laying in bed the second night when we were there, I realized that I had become my own artist and I decided to put out music that was completely my own. It really put a lot of things into perspective.”
Each track on VOID is more wacky and out there than the next. The opening, ‘surprise/uncertainty’ puts the entire project into perspective, with a metallic, unsettling and ominous production style. It’s deeply unnerving and sets you on edge with immediate effect. Its follow up, ‘shock/disbelief’ is more haywire, repelete with a host of little pitter pattering sounds that combine to mellow. You’ll hear more and more on this record alone how impactful and unique effective usage of the synth can be. The closing track, ‘anguish/acceptance’ is the most powerful to me. It’s remarkably subtle and soothing, in stark differentiation from the opening piece on the album.
And these emotional expressions aren’t just me extrapolating random meanings from Engel’s work. VOID is quite literally about mental struggles, particularly in regard to coming to terms with cancer and tinnitus. Going through two surgeries and ten rounds of radiation to beat the cancer is an immense emotional struggle as much as it is a physical one. The tinnitus was even harder to deal with than the cancer according to Engels. “You can not get away from it…it just dominates your thoughts because it is literally in your head. It got really dark for a while. It took about a year for me to accept it and not let it ruin my life.”
At only four tracks long, this instrumental record is bound to awaken a whole lot of feelings and sensations. It’s weird and wonderful.
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