As the industry continues to force-feed us uncomfortably seamless tracks, largely lacking the humanity of talent and imperfection, the underground thankfully continues to strengthen its presence at the very same time. Industrial alternative producers and artists like Willie Alex are confidently taking the reigns, and the music speaks for itself.
Echoes Of You is a heavy but ambient twist of downtempo depth, blending glitch and industrial traits throughout a near-four minute arrangement of fragmented voices, riffs, and rhythms.
The track pours through in an aptly echo-like fashion, transcending the walls of genre but also presenting something fiercely authentic, atmospheric, alluring, and refreshing to escape into.
It’s a unique take, but also carefully indicative of the kind of ground-up craftwork that Willie Alex develops his sound with.
Consider also Whisper, I Miss You – the lo-fi, canned production style a key trait, but the vibe now drawn out and evocative, almost hazy; like the vibrancy of the club heard through the walls of the quiet room next door.
Warped vocals present a haunting but intimate portrayal of longing, something like RnB woven subtly into the mix, and the chaos and calm of the experience draw equal attention along the way.
Then we get the addictive drumline and contrastingly delicate notes that make up a dramatic and evocative Tetaction, a vocally unique take but still with those Willie Alex stamps of identity in the set-up. This one is catchy, a more crisp female voice at the forefront, and a simple sentiment resounding and looping throughout.
Finally, Willie Alex takes a glance at deeper house and trap fusing arenas, with the muggy depth and infectious groove of a fragmented and conceptually empowering I’m Fighting For You. This track is hypnotic, presenting something like an indie alternative anthem that’s both quiet and confronting in its distinct dynamic.
Certain details hit the ambience unexpectedly as ever, and the vocal is playful, hip hop and RnB lightly influential, the arrangement still taking precedence, as Willie Alex continues to assert his recognisable design identity at the helm.
Find Willie Alex on Facebook, Instagram, X & his Website.
