Protohype – See No Evil EP [Firepower Records]

Since its inception in 2012, Firepower Records has made one thing eminently clear, they are not a label to take lightly by any means. Fueled by a robust roster of up-and-coming artists, Firepower has taken 2013 by storm, making waves with each and every release and their latest effort, Protohype‘s See No Evil EP is no exception.

See No Evil, the first installment of Protohype‘s three part EP series, serves to offer the first glimpse of the creative soundscapes, sounds and definitive expression of this rising star. The EP features seven tracks representing multiple facets of  hip-hop influenced bass music all while maintaing the gritty and dark sound Protohype and Firepower Records have become notorious for. Right out of the gate, See No Evil will have your speakers thumping with The Peak, Protohype‘s collaboration with friend and fellow Firepower Records cohort, Getter. In my opinion, The Peak is the strongest and most exciting record on the release because of its fluidity and balance of melody and blistering bass. The Peak is the perfect marriage of both of these young artists’ styles and is hopefully the first of many future collaborations to be released from the duo. The next highlight of the EP, Turn The Bass Up, intertwines 8-bit arcade-like melodies with a healthy allotment of wobbly bass. Menace, another collaboration with Protohype‘s long-time partner Kezwik, expertly highlights the duo’s infallible juxtaposition of progressive melody and sinister bass. In addition to these standout selections, Protohype‘s latest release also contains multiple ingenious remixes from the likes of MUST DIE! and ECT!ETC! as well as a brain-scrambling collaboration with fellow L.A.-based producer Init. From front to back, See No Evil clearly displays Protohype and Firepower‘s openness to experimentation and sonic diversity while simultaneously lacing each and every release with their signature ground-shaking bass.

See No Evil is out now via Firepower Records and can be purchased on Beatport here! Enjoy.