LYQD Recreates the Dark Soundscapes Occupying His ‘Sub Conscious’

LYQD released his stand-out, debut EP, dubbed Sub Conscious that takes listeners on a journey through a dark, wubby world.

Los Angeles-based deep dub artist and rising phenom Mark Raybukh, aka LYQD, blessed his fans with a powerful debut EP that takes us on a journey through his Sub Conscious. Inspired by the concept of space – both in terms of the physical space that music can mentally transport you to and the use of negative space as a compositional technique – this release is both viscerally compelling and cerebrally contemplative.

Whether you’re alone at home going through it, having a late-night sesh with your quarantine bubble, or out in the desert getting away from the noise of urban sprawl, these songs offer the perfect fix. LYQD achieves this by contrasting detailed, technical sound design that brings out his deep dub basslines, with more organic sonic elements, like bird-like arps, that bring a sense of natural-ness to the listener’s experience.

This co-mingling of the themes of technology and nature bring to mind similar motifs heard in the music of other rising stars in bass music like Charlesthefirst and Of the Trees. Given that LYQD is also a co-founder of the up-and-coming annual desert party Vibey Desert, it’s no wonder that his music is so reminiscent of that environment – one where you are simultaneously in harmony and in conflict with the natural forces around you.

When making these tracks, I pictured myself in various large open places like a grassy field, or even a massive warehouse; really feeling the tunes in these environments I created for myself. I think the really cool thing about music is that the listener can create these spaces and unique connections to the music apart from what the artist intended. That’s what I hope for when anyone listens to this EP.
Mark Raybukh aka LYQD

Listen to Sub Conscious on Spotify below, purchase or stream it on your preferred platform, and read on for a deeper look at the four tunes on this powerful EP from LYQD!

Stream LYQD – Sub Conscious on Spotify:

The thoughtful progression of the tracks on Sub Conscious allows you to suspend your disbelief, surrendering your headspace to LYQD’s sonic journey.

We begin with “Eucalyptus,” which starts the EP off heavy and slow. Despite its simple melodic structure, there are many layers in this mixdown that give this leading track a world-building effect for the listener. Bringing together a heavily textured, gritty bassline with amorphous, abstract chords that are almost reminiscent of a spooky gospel chorus, LYQD’s dark atmosphere has been set. Our journey continues with “Deep Meditation.” True to its name, this track provides the listener with deeply meditative energy. Like in Eucalyptus, we hear the presence of natural elements contrasted with technologically heavy sound design.

In the second half of the EP, the mood takes a turn. Both “Owls” and “Raw” bring a more hype, angsty energy to the project, brought on by the trap influence heard in the drums. The sonic elements are also punchier, in particular the owl-inspired sounds that puncture through the mix in “Owls.” That fighting attitude is also accentuated in “Raw” when the vocal sample comes in telling you “I’m dangerous, keep away.” It is as if LYQD is communicating to the listener: that’s enough introspection and beating yourself up about it. Now, what are we going to do about it?

It’s of note that, in the age of digital-only releases and single-release-driven business models, the gift of a thoughtfully compiled project with careful attention paid to the order in which it’s presented is an increasingly lost art. Here, we see that attentiveness to detail that is the true chef’s kiss of any avid music fan. While we enjoy this newest project, we cannot wait to see what else will be coming from this artist-to-watch, so stay tuned for more to come from LYQD!

LYQD – Sub Conscious – Tracklist:

Eucalyptus

Deep Meditation

Owls

Raw

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