Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
INGESTION FOR YOUR EARS!!
Jungle Juice, Vol. 1 is the first in a series of compilation EPs featuring songs by local RVA producers. Chauncey Browning, aka HOYT!, was inspired by the many compilations that have provided other producers with an opportunity to band together, and decided that Richmond’s wealth of young talent deserved a chance to do the same. The goal behind this compilation was not only to offer a platform for these artists to release their music, but also to reduce some of the competition between local artists and encourage all involved to share their music and fan bases with each other.
With tracks ranging from Ambient Trap to Electro House, from Moombahton to Drum N Bass, Jungle Juice (Vol. 1) is a well-rounded compilation that truly runs the gamut of EDM. One of the most interesting things about this compilation is that many of the songs toy with the limits of genre. For instance, Beat Down The Kid’s ‘Pistol Whip’ carries Dirty Dutch-style pitch-bending siren leads into the world of Trap, and the result is both exciting and refreshing. Similarly, Proteen and Cosmic Corner Boy both break from the norm and bring an ambient, ethereal feel to their tracks, ‘Shout To The Top’ and ‘My Hood Is Your Hood.’
Among my favorite tracks from the comp is MaMMaLs’ contribution, “Mind is Everything.” These two young guns are still working their way through high school, but have already begun making waves in the national EDM scene. “Mind is Everything” is a DnB track that starts with some upbeat progressions and crunchy drums set at almost breakneck speed, building tension and suspense as the song heads towards the drop. However, when the drop comes, MaMMaLs surprise us by cutting into half-time and bringing in a dubstep-influenced segment of growling and screeching synth lines.
While there are plenty of great songs on the compilation, the best of them belongs to HOYT! himself. “Days Off” is a funky, bouncy, upbeat mid-tempo track with strong acid house and electronica influences. Incorporating no more than a handful of instruments, Hoyt keeps it simple in this tune, which allows for the impressive clarity and texture of his sounds to stand out. With its warm, fuzzy bassline and bubbly, noodling lead synth, the track manages to walk the line of electro-driven intensity without sacrificing its light, happy feeling. Towards the end of the song, the lead jumps an octave, and its bright, shimmering qualities make “Days Off” truly feel like a summer song. In the roles of both compiler and producer, Chauncey performed well and impressed RVA as a whole.
Keep your eye out for Jungle Juice Vol. 2, coming in the next few months!
