The legacy of New York graffiti writer Skeme extends beyond the iconic images he left on subway cars to the philosophy of fearless, large-scale expression. His work, a product of the Style Wars period, was a powerful act of claiming space and voice. This very principle of audacious creation forms the foundation for The Machine Soul’s freshest parcel, coming soon on the mighty Swedish imprint When Disco Goes Wrong. The project translates that physical, urban bravado into a Scandinavian electronic framework, channelling the relentless drive of Hip-Hop’s foundations into a potent blend of machine-driven rhythms. It is a continuation of that rebellious dialogue, now echoing through the heavy sound systems of Nordic warehouses rather than the rumbling tunnels of the NYC transit system.

On the title cut, “Two Whole Cars,” The Machine Soul fully delivers on this promise. The track is built on a relentless, pounding four-to-the-floor kick drum, firmly rooting its energy in the classic acid and rave traditions. Squelching 303 lines weave through the sturdy 4×4 framework, creating a hypnotic and driving force. The masterstroke remains the use of speech-like vocals, which slice through the track’s intense momentum to introduce a layer of sobering gravity. This clever contrast mirrors the duality of its inspiration – the vibrant art against its illicit creation – resulting in a deeply impactful and memorable piece of electronic music.

You can find (and buy) this and other music pearls on the Beatport page of the label.

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