Earlier this year, Zhu released an EP featuring five remixes of his breakthrough single "Faded." All five show off a unique fingerprint and wicked flair, but the mix produced by Seattle duo ODESZA stands out in so many ways.
So much about this track differs greatly from the original that it is almost unrecognizable at times. I wouldn’t even call it a remix, but a rework. Heck, it’s almost a cover.
The track starts with a thick synth, crunchy bassline, and a muffled beat. The fuzziness alone sets it apart from the original, disposing of the pristine clarity championed by Zhu. Layer upon layer build on the downtempo beat and a deep groove forms as it expands and flourishes.
The four-minute track is spliced up by a few miniature breakdowns, each time stripping it down to the core – a beat, vocals, and some wispy synth -- but only for a few bars. The bass doesn’t exactly ‘drop’ after these fleeting escapes; rather, the breaks rejuvenate the track. It’s like a breath of fresh air, before plunging back into the depth.
The industrial bass really drives the track, with vocals, synth licks, and backing beats feeding off it, entangling themselves at every phrase. The rumbling rhythm contrasts so perfectly with the airy vocals and synth, creating a dark and seriously compelling soundscape.
Odesza will be releasing their new album, In Return, on September 9 through Counter Records.
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