RedazioneBelum’s debut single, Twins, is a rich exploration of trip hop, ambient, and electronic music, offering listeners a deeply atmospheric experience. As an independent duo, Belum manages to merge the moody introspection of trip hop with modern electronic elements, creating a sound that feels both familiar and innovative. Featuring the iconic Horace Andy, whose collaborations with Massive Attack helped define the trip hop genre, Twins makes a bold statement in the indie electronic landscape.
Right from the start, Twins envelopes the listener in a warm and immersive atmosphere. The synths are lush, crafting layers of dreamy soundscapes that evoke feelings of nostalgia while also feeling futuristic. These textures aren’t just a backdrop; they carry the emotional weight of the track, shifting and evolving as the song progresses. Belum uses these electronic elements with precision, giving each sound space to breathe, yet never allowing the mix to feel cluttered. It’s an intricate balance of subtlety and richness, an approach that recalls the golden era of ambient music while still sounding fresh and contemporary.
The rhythmic aspect of Twins is one of the track’s standout features. The beats are hypnotic, with a slow, pulsating groove that immediately pulls the listener into the duo’s world. The percussion is understated yet deliberate, borrowing heavily from the trip hop tradition while incorporating a modern sensibility. The rhythm maintains a head-nodding groove throughout the song, creating an almost meditative listening experience. This slow-burning intensity gives the track a hypnotic pull, grounding the ethereal synths and vocals in a groove that is unmistakably trip hop.
Horace Andy’s contribution is nothing short of extraordinary. Known primarily for his reggae roots and his iconic work with Massive Attack, Andy steps outside his usual genre, delivering a performance that is emotive and haunting. His voice, aged like fine wine, blends seamlessly with the ambient textures and Amalia Small’s vocals, which provide a haunting, dream pop-inspired counterpart. Small’s voice floats above the mix, delicate and airy, adding an otherworldly dimension to the track. The interplay between Andy’s soulful delivery and Small’s ethereal presence creates a sense of duality—perhaps a nod to the title, Twins.
The bassline on Twins is another vital element, serving as the track’s heartbeat. It is deep, steady, and enveloping, grounding the song’s more airy elements and giving it a sense of weight and movement. The bass doesn’t overpower but instead supports the track, adding depth to the overall sonic palette. It’s a bassline that you feel as much as you hear, resonating in your chest as the song unfolds. This element of the production reinforces the track’s immersive quality, making it an enveloping sonic experience.
One of the most striking aspects of Twins is its ability to merge different musical worlds. The ambient, almost cinematic textures of the synths could easily find a home in a film score, while the groove-heavy rhythms and dub-inflected basslines are unmistakably rooted in the world of trip hop. Belum manages to blend these elements into a cohesive whole, creating a track that feels expansive and intimate at the same time.
In conclusion, Twins is a high-quality release that perfectly encapsulates Belum’s potential as a force in the electronic and trip hop scene. With its hypnotic rhythms, haunting vocals, and atmospheric textures, the track has all the hallmarks of a genre classic while still managing to push the boundaries of trip hop into new territory. It’s a release that will resonate with fans of ’80s and ’90s UK music while also appealing to modern electronic and ambient music enthusiasts. Twins is an impressive debut, and we are thrilled to host it on our webzine.
