Continuing what has been a strong collaborative partnership, Ezequiel Arias and Artfaq return to Cid Inc's Replug Records for a new EP. Based in Cordoba, Ezequiel Arias sits firmly amongst progressive music's elite, with releases on Anjunadeep, Sudbeat and The Soundgarden highlighting his discography, along with support from the genre's premiere tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren. Similarly, Nacho Ferroni and Nacho Varela aka Artfaq also hail from Cordoba and lay claim to an impressive resume, showcasing their music on Sudbeat and The Soundgarden. Having made their collaborative debut with the 'Babel' EP via Replug in February of 2019, the trio now unite once again for a much-anticipated follow-up entitled 'Aerial'.
As progressive music continues to evolve, it's artists like Ezequiel Arias and Artfaq who continue to push the genre's creative envelope. 'Aerial' is a prime example of this with its unique contrast of rhythm and musicality. A bed of warm, rippling bass lays the foundation for a blend of meditative motifs and creamy tones. Building subtly through an evolving sheet of granular haze and timely effects, its tranquil tension comes to full fruition during the main break, before perfectly segueing into a percussive drop and driving finale.
The second selection 'Duality' moves closer to peak time with edgier design and dramatic undertones. Pulsating and energetic, it's a creation built around tough beats, acidic rhythms and razor-sharp effects. Its relentless drive becomes infectious across the first act, perfectly setting the stage for a shift in narrative, as striking overlays highlight a cavernous break, splitting moods between the tense and emotive, eventually melting down into a dominant third act.
The release is capped off in excellent fashion with the subversive vibes of 'Varial'. Traditional sensibilities get set aside here, as the trio marry hazy harmonics with esoteric lines over a robust and imminently groovy foundation. Tranquil and trippy in equal measure, the near two-minute centrepiece gradually heightens the senses through tasteful modulation and slow burning percussion, before getting washed away in a rush of white noise for a rhythmically charged finale.
With the 'Aerial' EP Ezequiel Arias and Artfaq add a second chapter to their creative synergy. One which continues to push the boundaries of progressive music and thus solidifying their place at the forefront of the genre's movement.
