Metaphysics II is an EP of instrumental hip-hop. It follows up on the original Metaphysics EP which came out in 2016.

Like the original EP, the tracks in Metaphysics II explore the lines between hip-hop and electronica. The inspiration for the second entry came quickly after a visit to NYC - picking up where the original left off but with more east-coast edge.

Hip-hop brought me into electronic music in the first place. Those early days with turntables taught me about rhythm and flow in ways that shaped everything I’ve done since. House music might have taken over once I got deeper into production, but those hip-hop fundamentals never left.

Hip-hop has evolved since those early days, and so have the tools for making it. Metaphysics II reflects that evolution - classic hip-hop structures processed through modern electronic production. Each track captures a different piece of that ongoing conversation between where hip-hop has been and where it’s headed.

Although this turned out practically happy-hardcore adjacent, it started with a (maybe surprisingly?) much darker vibe – I think it turned out the right way, reflecting in the melody what the words were saying.

The new single is accompanied with “The Exchange (Hard House Mix)“, a ravey hard house remix of a favorite from Existential Funk.

You can enjoy “Bring Me Joy” anywhere you listen to music, and can download this from Bandcamp, cheaper than anywhere else.

The original “Dawn of the Dread” came out in 2015, but was re-released in this single in 2021.

I wanted to have the remix in time for a Halloween 2020 release (which would have put it at about 5 years to the day after the original), but it just didn’t happen. After getting a little more time to bake, the remix gave this slow-roller breakbeat track some “oomph” with a proper drum & bass remix.

I had always thought this would be a good translation. Like Mirror-world, the remix sources many samples from the original work, while turning those elements into something slightly different.

The premier track on this one is “Speaking in Tongues”, a hard, fast slice of hard dance which draws a lot of influence from psytrance. I suppose this follows a thread I started with The Gateless Gate but with a little more gas.

The B-side “Shrieker” has a little different energy, but doesen’t underwhelm; this bouncy hard house track has an equally dark vibe with a bit of modern “donk” which will give your subwoofer a workout.

Together this release follows up on another recent hard dance release, and I hope you enjoy! You can pick this up anywhere you listen to music, but you can get it cheaper than anywhere through the Bandcamp player.

“Shocking” could now be considered an older favorite of mine (Way back from 2013!), having been a central part of the mix SHOCKED. Although there weren’t enough originals in this mix to warrant an EP release, I really liked this track.

I had been thinking about this track a lot recently, and got inspired to create a drum & bass remix. This fits in really well with the original’s electro style while updating it with some more energy and modern touches. I think the remix is the high point of this release, but I also still like the original.

Shocking is available wherever you listen to music, but is cheapest from Bandcamp. Check it out by clicking through the player.

As the name “Fractal” implies; a complex, multipartite piece which weaves in a few different directions. Cerebral, minimal acid techno.

“Cubism” is a techy track which starts with subtle space and peaks with a big acidic bassline. Minimal, yet big on the buildup.

“Cubism” was produced alongside the other exclusives created for FOUNDATION. It probably took the most time to produce, and it’s also the longest. The latter is one of the reasons I decided to reserve this track from that release; another reason is that it just didn’t fit in with the straightforward nature of the rest of the EP.

“Dubstep” is maybe a misnomer here. “Future Garage” might be more accurate, but more important than the label are the influences; these include Burial and Jon Hopkins, a couple of artists whose work I really enjoy. This music is hard to describe because it’s much different than any electronic music that’s been produced in the last 20 years.

As the title implies, this is a floaty piece, but with a good pace. This went through a couple of revisions, but the end result is one I’m happy with.

Deep, moody dubstep. This is a dramatic piece which goes a lot of different directions, but ultimately is driven by the heavy bassline.

The electric piano was the last addition to the track, but has become the glue putting the whole thing together.

The remix adds some pace for a slightly different vibe.