The Destroyer EP is as earth-shattering as its name suggests, but keep in mind that this is “controlled chaos.” Each hectic reverberation on Justin Hopkins’ debut EP is calculated and given space to grow only insofar as it bows to his desire. The 24-year-old professional illustrator, graphic designer, and sound designer is currently based in L.A. where he’s signed to Non-Projects. Label owner, Brian Simon, aided this phenom in piecing together The Destroyer EP, a sound bite of Hopkins’ upcoming full-length debut expected to drop later this year.
RareBit gets his name from Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, a 20th century comic strip that featured nameless protagonists who would wake up from dreams in a state of bewilderment. Hopkins’ EP relays the same perplexing sensation as each track takes your psyche to the edge of mystification.
The Destroyer EP stealthily unravels with “Initiation-Quitters-Freedom”, a sonic narrative featuring increasingly tempered clarinets and rowdy drum rhythms that thicken an already sweltering plot. “Aggro Crag” is a grooving discotheque number featuring the rarefied French vocals of Sandra Wallace. It’s clear that Hopkins’ style induces a little confusion on the part of the listener; the young instrumentalist starts, stops, takes things down, and switches modes at breakneck pace. What initially sounds like a sped-up jangly summer bop on “Aggro Crag” is briefly put on hold as a dark and muddy insert suddenly takes over, and a back-pedaling version on the initial track starts up again. “Slime Time Live” follows suit as a recurrent ripple of synths is abruptly broken by drilling gray distortion that marks the onslaught of tribal drums and manic organ keys. Such brusqueness is also apparent throughout the EP’s track transitions, making it next to impossible to plan out Hopkins’ plan of attack.
“Blue Blood Baskets” is an unremitting playground jam saturated with effervescent fizzy synths and looped choir hums capable of encapsulating your entire summer in one hit. “Onigashima” is proof positive of Hopkins’ genre-mashing skills as it vibes Dam-Funk-inspired edits and spurts of old-school video games. “Responsibility-Stress-Release” brings the EP to a somber close as heavy synth-scapes and turbulent barrel cracks mask the far-off calls of a troubled woman.
What’s most accessible about this EP is the fact that all of the integrated sounds are recognizable and grounded in reality, making Hopkins’ assembly of everyday hums and organic beats into maze-like sound structures even more remarkable. One’s initial hesitancy when unpacking The Destroyer EP is offset by the realization that Hopkins’ dismemberment of raw sounds (collected everywhere from the U.S., Burma, and France), can be taken to both chilling and incredibly uplifting extremes.
RareBit ‘The Destroyer EP’ Preview Mix
Tracklisting
01. Initiation – Quitters – Freedom
02. Aggro Crag
03. Slime Time Live
04. Blue Blood Baskets
05. Music for the Ambitious Careerwoman
06. Onigashima
07. Tape Shreds
08. Responsibility – Stress – Release
