Creative soundscapes and beats from Guadalajara, Mexico – Rubenzuque is a producer and artist whose focus is refreshingly, exclusively on the music and process of making audio that engages with and impacts listeners.
With roots creatively spanning back to classical guitar playing, 25 years ago, Rubenzuque is truly a lifelong musician. However, this latest string of releases points towards the freedom and fluidity of electronic music, and creates an ethereal, colourful and all-consuming sonic experience, to which the track Collar marks a fine introduction.
Countering chaos with rhythm and balance, Collar builds upon its initially cascading layers of synths and keys, by introducing a rock-style drum section, and a sense of progression that feels something like the world passing by at speed through the window of a train.
It’s retro-gamer-style on the one hand, neo-classical composition on the other – complex melodic fragments and sci-fi tones all laying down an introspective, hypnotic vibe, that’s perfectly well-produced. Such fulness from a soundscape requires a level of nuance and ability to bring it to life effectively, and Rubenzuque has mastered that approach.
Other tracks from Rubenzuque occasionally adopt a slightly more classic techno vibe, with Jalisco Dance & Synth presenting a hypnotic rhythm but equally playful, meandering synth composition alongside – something ambient and easy to vibe to, perhaps less confronting, less full, than Collar.
Then for In Somoa, the inspiration of travel and concept, influence and artistry, reminds us that story and sentiment is a huge part of the Rubenzuque sound. This track features a rise and fall chord pattern, with fragments of melody and electronic detail adding further momentum, building through a simple but deeply calming electronic dance groove. For me, this track has the familiarity and nostalgia of a nineties afterparty – the rave through the wall, the distance and intimacy, the quietness and tired but excited desire to carry on.
Finally, the release Occidente RomaNorte takes a more four-to-the-floor pop rhythm of sorts, and places it next to a vibrant, chaotic synth melody, which is slowly joined by further layers of melody, rhythm and bass, throughout a lofi modest to intense creative arrangement.
Rubenzuque clearly has the ability to branch out as a producer, offering ambient introspective moments when needed, then juxtaposing this with energy, passion and volume when things require a little more weight and imaginative escapism.
Find Rubenzuque on Apple, Soundcloud.
