Blackmyth’s take on a fairly infamous hit entitled Eggplant offers a dark and industrial alternative version to the classic. The producer’s approach here creates a bold and manic ambiance around you, chaotic and unsettling, with a consistently rising intensity that sees the vocals fade or melt into the beat and the movement of the soundscape.
Being that Russian isn’t a language I’m particularly fluent in, the lyrics translate in a questionable way, but those that do make it through seem to actually fit quite well with the weight and depth of this newly remixed environment – the enemy, armor, neutron explosion. In reality, the original song seems to deal with a particular type of car, but maybe there’s room for a little metaphor in there.
As is the Blackmyth way, retro synths and samples are fused with unidentifiable elements that give his music a certain sense of experimental identity. Certain moments within this mix really mess with your head, particularly those during which the two vocals – the male and the female – are presenting the melodic follow-up to the hook. Blackmyth crafts a heavy and spiraling ambiance behind this, which admittedly takes most of the focus away from the song’s lyrics and melody, making it a completely new experience.
On the other hand, the actual hook for this track – perhaps the most recognisable trait of the original song – stands tall in a similar way to the first release. However, it’s not quite as attention grabbing here, it’s given room to breathe, and it fits well within the soundscape – rather than constantly trying to burst out of it. The line has been made somewhat delicate and dream-like here, the reverb adds distance and helps calm the track down – leveling it among a less energetic, more mellow aura.
In contrast, the rap vocal feels much more intense here, much heavier and more intentionally serious. When you go back and listen to the original, it feels very crisp and clean – as mainstream pop often does. Blackmyth’s re-working has placed the whole thing in some alternative, mysterious realm, and it gives the words – the story-line – an unexpected feeling of depth and darkness.
The song has become something else, it’s been given an alter-ego of sorts – dirty and thick bass-lines and distortion pave the way for the sentiment and the ideas to crawl through. It’s almost as if the producer has misdirected the singers through some haunted forest – as opposed to simply pointing out the quicker, clearer road home. Well worth experiencing for anyone who’s looking for something a little different, and undoubtedly for all who are familiar with the original piece. Blackmyth has made this his own, and it reaches out with character and kick.
