Metamorphosis

Artist: Hugo Massien

Released: March 2021

Length: 1h 9m 17s

My review:

It can sometimes be difficult for an artist/DJ to replicate and translate the success of singles and the art of mixing into the long format of the album, but that is so obviously not the case here as we have a stunningly sophisticated and refined contribution that I struggle to believe is a debut effort. The way all the tracks flawlessly melt and flow into one another reminds me of a DJ set, dipping and diving through multiple genres and emotions while keeping you totally transfixed for the unusually long runtime.

Chasing Shadows is the first track that slowly reveals itself before hitting the ground running at 139 BPM, with its peculiar but alluring initial sound and a cleverly used vocal sample it is a strong opener that sets the mood for what is to come. Next up we have God Knows We Tried, a much slower paced tune at 115 BPM that has an ethereal overtone with its prolonged, drawn out notes and muffled drums marching you through the track. It is one of the longer songs on the album but it never feels like it drags, I especially like the little addition of uplifting high notes for the last 90 seconds. As one tune fades another is introduced, If You Dare picks up the pace again, to 133 BPM but with the similar sounding muffled and slow drums that bridge the tracks nicely. Omnipotent Love Energy is the first track to play in a major key giving it a brighter more optimistic sound that is cleverly juxtaposed with the dark, gravelly sounding and sonorous bass, which comes as a pleasant surprise on the first listen. The melody is repetitive and catchy but is left out of the middle section as to not become too tiresome, there is a little breakdown and then the reintroduction of the bass again for the final third, definitely a highlight of the album for me. Skin On Skin maintains the BPM in the 130's but adds some intensity and energy into the mix with sharper and more decisive drums that drive the track forward. This dynamism is carried over into, and further developed in, Fast Lane, a track that has a heavy Techno 4/4 beat that features a well used vocal snippet and some filters that keep it sounding fresh. Different People sees us jump up to 144 BPM for some Breaks inspired beats that deliver a bouncy and playful tune with a great vocal sample that has been ingeniously chopped and edited and then reincorporated back into the song creating a distinctly fun melody, a huge highlight for me. Cosmological Horizon Entropy marks the midway point and takes the opportunity to calm things down after the excitement of the previous track, the mood is refreshed as we prepare to get taken in a new and different direction. With its ominous and sinister sounding intro Losing Sleep creates the feeling of being lost in the vastness with its lethargic beat and clever use of echo and reverb. This fizzles out before we move on to Matter Of Time, another lively offering with a nod to UK Garage and Breaks with its drum pattern, this one is another of my favourites with its use of filters constantly elevating and progressing the sound, ensuring your interest remains throughout. Space 2 Breathe incorporates an enticing vocal and draws on inspiration from Deep House to produce an enchanting tune that signals the gradual decrease in tempo as we start to round things up as we head into the final chapter. Slowing things down even further we have Outer Space Jam coming in at 123 BPM, with its slightly off-kilter approach this provides a compelling concept for how different sounds can be utilised and integrated into a track. Unpowered Descent is the last hurrah on this record and my stand out song that I go into more detail below. Finally we have Beyond Completely Gone a fantastic tune that completes the record magnificently, I love the way the music fades so organically giving way to the final vocal snippet which is utterly sublime, a very fitting and appropriate climax.

This record oscillates between genres with a certain ease and freedom, sucking you in and taking you along for the ride, all the songs stand well on their own but it is when they come together that a certain synergy is established. For me this is a fantastic example of how to create an underlying and recurring focus that evolves and is explored in divergent ways but ultimately provides the solid foundation of correlation, consonance and unity.

Stand out song: Unpowered Descent 

This rolling Garage inspired anthem clocks in at 130 BPM and for me is the epitome of the extensive sounds captured on this album. First you have the punchy drums that dictate the pace and set the mood, uncluttered, propulsive and decisive, a fixture that changes and adapts to suit different needs throughout the album. Then you have the deep rumbling bass that is utilised so effectively and is a key component for me, before we are introduced to a hypnotic melody in those characteristically drony sounds that are a recurring theme throughout. We are also treated to a simple yet well placed and repetitive vocal sample, they are sprinkled all over this LP and are cleverly employed and add that element of humanity that keeps you connected to a mostly electronic and automated soundscape that you could easily loose yourself in otherwise. I think this tune best sums up the ideology and themes present in this album while evoking that dark and underground ambience that Hugo creates so well, it is also a great song to play out.

When to listen: 

I was listening to this album a lot around the time I was visiting my Dad in hospital while he was ill, so for me it will always have a slightly sombre additional layer to it. I was however enjoying biking through the london traffic at night with this as the soundtrack and think it would work equally as well while driving around the city streets at night. I often feel a sense of isolation while simultaneously being lost in a crowd while listening to this record, being washed around by the ocean of the masses and letting the current decide my fate. It is however more of a positive experience of letting go rather than giving up, of feeling relieved rather than overwhelmed, maybe this has more to do with the circumstances surrounding my listening, but the music definitely gave me the opportunity and freedom to explore these emotions openly and uninhibited, something I will always be grateful for.

Spotify: Listen here

Vinyl:

I have the double LP Pressing that has a wonderful dynamic range that embraces and compliments the whole spectrum of sounds heard on this album from the deep and heavy bass to the light and airy highs, providing a rich and well balanced soundscape. The clean and understated sleeve design is great and I love how it reflects the uncluttered sound of the record but for me this one is all about the music. There are still a fair amount of copies available on Discogs for a reasonable price currently, I expect that to change as more and more people discover this underground gem. - Discogs link

Other useful links:

Although the double LP version is sold out you can still grab a single vinyl copy directly from the E-Beamz bandcamp page here - https://e-beamz.bandcamp.com/album/metamorphosis

You can also hear and buy his latest EP offering that came after Metamorphosis keeping a similar vibe to the album while adapting it slightly to work in more of a club setting - https://hugomassien.bandcamp.com/album/outer-reach

If you like this try these:

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Skee Mask - Compro

Earth Trax - LP2 Ambient Dance