Skrillex Shows Off His Range On 'SOMA,' His Latest Surprise Release

**Skrillex has once again shocked fans by dropping his fifth studio album, SOMA, a collaboration-heavy project that adds to his production legacy.**

Sonny Moore, better known as Skrillex, has had electronic fans in a chokehold since his rise to fame in the early 2010s. Lauded as one of dubstep’s most influential pioneers, he released his breakout EP, Bangarang, which has become a classic in electronic music. Skrillex championed the brostep sound in many of his early releases, including his productions on the iconic Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites EP.

Since then, Skrillex has evolved his sound, reaching far beyond the robotic, bass-driven sounds that made him famous. Earlier this week, the award-winning producer took to social media to tease his latest project. Sharing the tracklist for the mysterious body of work on his Instagram story, his fifth studio album, SOMA, is now available for the world to enjoy.

As the king of keeping his fans on their toes, SOMA arrived on OWSLA, marking Skrillex’s third surprise release of the year. Boasting 13 collaborative tracks, the album is unlike anything the artist has released to date. Translating from Greek to “body,” the album title is a perfect fit for a project that wraps Moore’s innate production across various genres into a cohesive ride through his sonic universe.

Skrillex taps longtime pal Chris Lake for two collaborations. Creating a follow-up to Chris Lake and Skrillex’s dance-worthy banger “LA NOCHE,” the synth-heavy “La Noche 2” directly follows their standout house track, “É o Bonde.” Rooted in a four-on-the-floor rhythm, this is a rare moment when we see Skrillex prioritize groove over energetic drops.

Tenacious trap titan ISOxo also lends his talents on SOMA with “Smoke” and “Anybody.” Released as a single, “Smoke” has become a staple in festival sets with its high-voltage, punchy production. The latter moves at lightspeed, leaning toward hard dance while seamlessly melding the two producers’ distinct styles.

SOMA‘s tracks command attention as Skrillex delves deeper into experimental sounds. “Tranki,” featuring Tracey, Taichu, and Anita B Queen, is a prime example of Moore delving deeper into experimental soundscapes. Swapping between Portuguese and English vocals, the track plays with pacing and vocal manipulation, combining multiple genres into an intriguing song.

Worldly influences are found throughout the album as Skrillex teams up with a wide variety of artists. The titular track with Nitepunk sets the tone out of the gate for the journey ahead. The tribal-influenced trap tune opens with rhythmic drums and woodwind textures, intensifying into a full-blown frenzy.

Columbian singer Feid provides vocals on “Noche Without You.” On the lighter end of the album’s sounds, the track samples the ’90s hit “Children” by Robert Miles. “Thistle,” with English artists Randomer and Blawan and Brazilian singer MC Dricka, shines with UK influences in its percussion and use of electronic bleeps.

Throughout the 42-minute runtime, Skrillex’s SOMA shows off exactly why the producer is heralded as one of electronic music’s most influential artists of all time. His desire to continue challenging himself and evolving throughout his longstanding career is what keeps fans and critics alike begging for more.

Give Skrillex’s fifth studio album, SOMA, a listen on Spotify or the streaming platform of your choice.