Ever-experimental UK producer act Haaz-Benz take conceptual sound-design to extraordinary new levels with this creatively complex, uniquely scene-setting EP of originals.

Crafted as a means to exploring the journey from the start to the end of the club night, ‘This is a Journey Into…’ features sirens and alarms intermittently throughout each of its four tracks. In some cases this is barely detectable, subtly woven into the soundscape for cinematic purposes. In other cases, the sound is unmistakable, pulsating into the mix as the energy and intensity rise and begin to fully envelop listeners. This creative choice represents insurgency, drawing focus to the broad reach of the sound, the vast use of sirens and alarms in modern life; and the differing reactions to each, depending on volume and situation.

From the opening intricacies of ‘Gettin’ Ready’, through the ambient white noise and rising anticipation of ‘On My Way’, Haaz-Benz take you there – the hustle of home, the excitement, the details and preparation, the distance of impending music and immersion. Already there’s nothing quite like this on the scene – an incomparable audio experience starts up, and consistently raises the bar as the night progresses.

As ‘Meet You On The Dance Floor’ kicks in, suddenly the volume and pace of the rave rains down – the contrast injecting a brilliantly relevant hit of euphoric exhilaration that perfectly encapsulates the progression from home to the rave. Here we get the music, the inescapable intensity of hardcore dance, complete with the more notable urgency of the siren pouring through within the mix.

At close to seven minutes, this track makes up the bulk of the dance vibrancy, with the follower closing down the series in a profoundly powerful way. ‘Same Time, Next Weekend?’ holds a scarily apt resemblance to the sound and feeling of the come-down, as reality begins to seap back in for the early hours of the morning. Still we get hints of euphoria, blissful waves of synth and white noise enveloping us in one last blanket of unity.

This twenty-minute artistic endeavour is incredibly imaginative, creative and inspired, always connected to its core intention – offering a genuine re-creation of the highs and lows of nightlife; something that’s been greatly missed over the past twelve months. Haaz-Benz showcase considerate production and faultless audio scenery throughout the project. An intriguing and impressively on-point listen for 2021.

Haaz-Benz Merch Shop - haaz-benz.bandcamp.com