Bastian Benjamin's 'Confrontation' Brings Introspection In Deep Bass To The Fore

By Keir Nicoll

Bastian Benjamin is a Dutch IDM producer who has, with the new release of his single 'Confrontation', brought us a deeply inflected bass and rhythm track. There is something slowly propulsive, as in the tones of Downtempo or Deep House, in his rhythmic bass pulses and the sound of echoing percussion brings the song along into the forefront of electronica consciousness. Heavy beat drops are accompanied by searing synth riffs, that bring a melodically improvisational spirit to the music.

Almost funky dank notes are also rife in the song. Then, far-sounding bell-tones chime in to bring the track to a close. It is as pleasing as classical music is in its organization. His music is exploratory as his sensibilities are complex, given the deceptively simple rhythms of the track. He is set to drop his new album, Two Truths, on December 4. This album will no doubt reach into further inflections and reflections of inner life, as he defines what it is that gives him a purchase on this world and its truths.

Self-reflexive ability is always a good thing in an artist, who can bring the senses to the accustomation of light in the darkened and hallowed hallways of the inner mind. It drifts through the depths of emotions and carries the inner spirit to a higher plane. Benjamin is quoted as saying, "Confronting deep thoughts and turning them into action takes strength and courage. Once it's set in motion, there is no going back. Then you can only hope that you did the right thing." As aggressive as the bass can sound in this track, the sound of confrontation is modified and mellowed by the pulling of the basstrack, the synths and bell-tones, as in the sounds of Massive Attack, Boards of Canada, or other IDM influenced artists. Certainly someone to watch for in the days of music to come.