With a string of successful career releases on the likes of Afterlife, All Day I Dream, Bedrock, Human by Default and Balance Music, and a hugely successful world tour in 2022, prolific Argentinian producer, composer, celebrated recording artist and live act, Juan Hansen, now looks to open his 2023 tally with the announcement of his latest solo offering, Higher EP.
Out now via independent German label MEIOSIS Records, the two-part Higher EP marks Juan Hansen’s inaugural solo outing on the burgeoning, Berlin-based imprint, following two critically acclaimed EP releases as part of three-person vocal electronica outfit FORMA ‘Hollow EP‘ and ‘The Peak EP‘ in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Positioned amongst an elite group of artists who manage to comfortably straddle multiple musical reference points, Juan Hansen fuses electronica, analog instrumentation, and organic soundscapes with remarkable deft. Opening the EP with the absorbing title track ‘Higher’, his robust broken beats and warped textures are complimented perfectly by ethereal samples and subtle vocal drops, with a series of mind-bending arpeggiated synth lines forming the backbone of the tripped-out narrative.
Taking things down a notch for the carefully considered closer ‘Irreplaceable’, the Argentinian’s trademark amalgam of restrained drum patterns and textured synths is utterly compelling, as he concocts a spine-tingling, lo-fi house track that delivers from the off. Propelled by refined rhythms and dynamic synth lines, ‘Irreplaceable’ comes complete with an official live performance music video, recorded from a waterfront pagoda in Tulum, Mexico. Recreating the track live, Juan’s unmatched musicality and creativity shines, as he adds to his impressive catalogue with another majestic musical masterpiece.
My Higher EP represents the union of two tracks that show two very different sides of my musical palette. ‘Irreplaceable’ was born from a live improvisation and was composed entirely in a hotel in Tulum, while the title ‘Higher’, is a much more emotional track for me. It came from an idea that got lost on a hard drive a while ago, which I recently rediscovered and brought back to life. When I listened to the first sketch again, I identified with the lyrics in a brand new way and the rest of the song took on a whole new meaning for me. Keeping it simple was essential to make the song have a clearer message.
– Juan Hansen
Image Credits: Press Kit
