Producer Illangelo has produced some of the most influential and impactful artists in the world of R&B and hip-hop. However, despite his success in the mainstream, he looks towards underground electronic music for inspiration and his next direction. ‘State Of Mind’ is the name of his debut EP, which is available to stream now.
The EP is a melding of peak-time techno, progressive house, and ethereal electronic music from an artist who is not afraid to take risks and explore possibilities. The EP starts with ‘Enter’, and at 1:54 it sets the tone for the remainder of the EP. ‘Fantasy’ is a classic progressive house vibe that matches Illangelo’s robo-enhanced vocals to create a futuristic vibe.
Next, ‘Devotion’ melds the chops of broken beat with the 4/4 crunch of techno, and the squelches of acid that pay homage to some of the genre's classic tracks. The final two tracks, ‘Paradise’ and ‘Hold Me’ combine beats alongside vocals that act as the bookend for the EP.
Illangelo: “I had just finished executive producing The Weeknd’s After Hours and started working with Grimes when I spiralled deep into the electronic world and sonics. For the last year, I’ve been studying, experimenting and writing. This EP marks not just a new chapter in my career but also the beginning of a profound exploration within the realm of electronic music.”
He is an old-school producer in that rather than send music off online and collaborate remotely, he works with all his collaborators in person. For this EP, he stepped out of his comfort zone to write lyrics and sing for the first time.
Illangelo: “The making of this EP was very unique. For the first time, I’m writing lyrics, singing, and discovering my voice. I then utilised the latest AI technology to transform my voice to another. This was impossible just a few months ago. I’m truly at the beginning of what I’m going to carve out and create within this electronic world.”
© justaweemusicblog.com