Over the last few years, Manchester-based producer Fthmlss has rapidly built a name for himself, stitching together curious and characterful beats that have readily caught the attention of Spotify and Apple Music Editorial playlists and the heads in the alternative beats landscape.
Since joining Asta Hiroki’s Folded Music imprint with his EP ‘Anxious’, he has quickly gained even more high-profile fans across radio and press, including BBC 6Music, FIP, France Inter, Radio Eins, XLR8R, CLASH, Magnetic Mag, and College Music.
Continuously expressing a clear desire to grow his sound further and explore more conceptual work, unlike many producers in similar beat-based spheres, he has readily taken in new sonic influences from a wide array of electronica, hip hop, and ambient styles of music, and isn’t afraid to explore them with enthusiasm.
His second full-length album ‘Cycles’ focuses on a central theme of the water cycle, the various forms taken by the liquid, and the impacts that this lifeblood of humanity and earth has. From still and meditative to powerful and hard-hitting the tracks cover various stages of the cycle and specific scenarios in which it plays a role.
Fthmlss traverses more ground than ever before through 12 new works, yet despite its expansiveness the record remains a delightfully cohesive listen throughout and sculpted unmistakably in his own unique and musically rich style.
From the opening notes of the ambient and new age inspired ‘Nimbus’, the heavy hitting deep bass hip hop of ‘Niagra’, and the bittersweet smokey neo-soul of guest vocalist Christie’s two contributions - Maelstrom and Estuary, the broad horizons are evident. As the record progresses, it covers even more miles - with touching and expansive Jazztronica on ‘Overflow’, crispy head-nodding oriental beats on ‘Effervescent’ and unpredictable downtempo glitch on the closing track ‘Orka’.
It’s a fantastic long-form listen from start to finish, perfect for experiencing on vinyl LP. And indeed Folded Music have pressed a limited number of black 12” vinyl to satisfy the wax lovers out there who are keen to expand their beat collections with this gem.
Speaking on the project in his own words:
“‘Cycles’ follows the journey of water on its natural quest. As it falls from the sky onto the mountains and begins its journey into the ocean through various different paths, we immerse ourselves in its perspective. The album conceptualises the different forms and states that water takes on this journey, from high-energy waterfalls smashing through rocky cliffs to serene streams running through the meadows. This project is an ode to water and gives thanks to the life it provides on this peculiar planet.”
Fthmlss
credits
released June 9, 2023
Production / Mixing by Fthmlss
Vinyl mastering by Asta Hiroki
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