Czech DJ and producer Holotrope delves into dark drum and bass with the Psychoactive EP, his debut on Darkshire Sound.
The fledgling label Darkshire Sound closes out 2024 on a note reminiscent, to many of us, of the year itself with the Psychoactive EP. Czech producer Holotrope delivers a dark but trippy testament to drum and bass’ grip on the anxious partygoer’s mind with three tracks destined to pound dance floors throughout the year to come.
Holotrope’s Darkshire Sound debut kicks off with the title track, a collaboration with fellow Czech artist A-Cray. “Psychoactive” is fast, energetic, and neurofunky, featuring distorted encouragements to the listener to dissociate into the dance (or their headphones). With a style clearly inspired by artists like Noisia, the support by Vision — who gave the tune a play in season four, episode 51 of their prolific Vision Radio show – makes perfect sense and signals an optimistic trajectory for both Holotrope and Darkshire Sound.
“House of Dreams,” a collaboration with Karpa, is an ode to the kind of frenetic, overwhelming club setting that only a drum and bass head could love. The title and the briefly featured melodic but haunting interlude point to the somewhat comical juxtaposition between the psyches of the genre’s fans and those who prefer calmer, “prettier” sounds.
The Psychoactive EP crescendos with its finale, “Converted,” also featuring Karpa. While still showcasing neurofunk’s distinct sound design, the momentum of the final track mirrors jump-up – drum and bass’ more danceable (and commercially appealing) subgenre. Though tinged in darkness, “Converted” also conveys an energy that is refreshing, even fun. It is a fitting conclusion to a profound “psychoactive” experience.
Holotrope doesn’t necessarily do anything new or innovative with the Psychoactive EP, and that is okay. What he does do, is done without flaw. The artist shows mastery over the neuro aesthetic with beats that are technically clean and sharp but sound gritty and raw. From a DJ’s perspective, these three tracks are extremely playable and will find welcome hopes in DJ sets across the genre and worldwide.
The Psychoactive EP is available to stream and purchase now via Darkshire Sound.
Stream Holotrope – Psychoactive EP on Spotify:
Holotrope – Psychoactive EP – Tracklist:
- Psychoactive (with A-Cray)
- House of Dreams (with Karpa)
- Converted (with Karpa)
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