Drift EP by Maarten VX

Belgian prolific producer Maarten VX emerges with his most personal EP to date yet. On his third EP 'Drift', he continues to make profound and compelling electronic deep listening music.

Making music is a form of therapy for Maarten VX. His latest EP Drift was created during the gradual break-up of a long-term relationship. It was the only constant during this mentally oppressive period: a digital place where emotions could be processed and kept like a diary.

The sound of his third EP therefore reflects the restlessness and agitation of this period. The mood, production and arrangements feel edgy and rough: there is a dark mood and a yearning for the lost connection. The productions include multiple iPhone recordings, samples and references to his temporary places of residence.

With unpredictable switches and a fast-paced, almost rushed energy, 'Drift', the EP's title track, immediately paints the atmosphere. The track uses long strings, Tom VR-inspired drums and female choirs to bring the slightly restless feeling to an epic climax, before turning it over one last time into raw, broken chaos.

'Oh Bby' then dives deeper into the dark mood, creating a contrast between heavy, almost club-driven drums on the one hand and melancholic but comforting harmony on the other. Burial-inspired rhythms, almost pop-like vocal hooks and the down-pitched chords create a gray atmosphere, which eventually clears up again and again in the chorus.

Next is 'Triggers', which is about romanticizing an individual - although you know a certain outcome is better, you still keep returning to the present state. This cyclical movement in your thoughts makes it difficult to let go. Duan Ra puts down a mysterious vocal performance. His repetitive "spoken word" is carried by a cloud of dreamy synths and real-world noise.

Eros, the closing track, finally wants to let go of everything and evolves with a continuous buildup of tension. The title is an ode to the twist between lust and love, influenced by the urges and impulses from the subconscious. Long, ethereal chants propelled by Jon Hopkins-like, pumping drums create a hypnotic groove, which grows like a rave towards the end of the EP.

The artwork reflects the contrast between the dark, abstract and slightly burdensome on the one hand and the small moments of brightness and clarity on the other.

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Step by step, with devotion and intention, Maarten VX is building his own momentum.

The rising Belgian electronic artist seamlessly blends the energy of the dancefloor with introspective electronica, connecting with listeners on a heartfelt level.