90/100
The new Dharma release is an authentic banger, one of our favourites to have ever been released on KSHMR’s label. “Moksha” is the new hardpsy collaboration between the American producer STARX (co-founder of Harsh Records with Junkie Kid) and an Indian artist DISTORT. The duo created a perfect combination of ethnic Indian sounds and brutal hard house. The ideal release for Dharma standards: creative, unusual, with the signature ethnic approach but keeping the artists’ personality.
It’s a classic nowadays: when Dharma presents unusual names for the mainstream scene, it’s because the production is astonishing. It happened with Padé (93), it happened with Radiology (81).
It is happening again with STARX and DISTORT.
90/100.
Why such a high rating for a release that will surely be considered “strange” by a large part of fans?
First of all, we always love how KSHMR manages to find new talents for the label. “Moksha” is a piece of art, and it deserves a release on Dharma. Pure and simple meritocracy.
Second, the break.
The drop is a massive bomb, it will rock every festival, but we simply can’t stop listening to one of the most catchy breaks of 2018. DISTORT did a wonderful job in adding his style to a hardcore structure by STARX. The frenetic flute is hypnotic, the crazy percussions add an unreal dynamism and the vocal is absolutely wonderful (especially in the build and drop part). A work of art. We personally can’t stop playing it in an infinite loop.
The first drop presents the signature hardpsy sounds of STARX. A massive concentration of explosive energy, thanks to a brutal kick, another hypnotic vocal loop, and that wild bassline. Special mention to the drums, they added that auxiliary energy that made the drop a complete atomic bomb. It is a complicated approach because hardpsy is evidently an unusual genre, but we loved it, even though we don’t consider ourselves experts in this genre.
The second drop follows the same scheme but is focused more on “classic psy” with a screeching lead. With a slightly weaker personality than the first one, for us, but definitely approved as well!
In conclusion, when Dharma presents “new” names – for the majority of fans, obviously – our ratings hit the roof. It’s always nice to hear the impressive amount of creativity and skills that they present. STARX and DISTORT amazed us with Moksha, a 90/100 well deserved.
What do you think?
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