Boys Noize releases ‘7LLVSION’ album today
In today's digital landscape algorithms often generate a feeling of continuous present by breaking down chronological progression and causing trends to loop through repeated revivals of past subcultures. Boys Noize the German-Iraqi musician whose birth name is Alex Ridha and who works across roles as DJ producer and composer remains unaffected by this development. He has dedicated his career to redefining musical approaches. The release of 7LLVSION his eighth album on this day provides a perspective that moves beyond such mirrored repetitions toward an anticipated future cultural direction. The twelve track record allows audiences to engage directly with this outlook.
Ridha concluded a significant period of activity through close work with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. This included participation in the Nine Inch Nails world tour known as Peel It Back. He also served as co-producer on the TRON Ares soundtrack which featured a GRAMMY winning single. The partnership reached a new stage with the formation of Nine Inch Noize whose initial performance took place as a headlining act at Coachella and received notable acclaim including from SF Gate as one of the festival's standout shows. The associated LP came out that same week and earned positive notices with Pitchfork observing that every song delivers impact. These efforts occurred alongside the development of the new solo material.
The record begins with the track Illusion. A vocoder delivers the title in the artist's characteristic style after which a half time kick and snare pattern enters supporting buzzing and detuned oscillator sounds. Although the tempo sits at 140 beats per minute the piece diverges from typical techno conventions by incorporating a rock and roll energy into the club environment. Next comes 1+1+1 which includes vocals from Dutch performer ZEP in a punk style over an aggressive bassline generated by step sequencing.
Several selections feature guest contributors and move away from conventional four on the floor rhythms. Nächstenliebe involves Brutalismus 3000 and employs motoric synthesizer lines that recall early EBM acts such as DAF with half time sections building to faster passages. Take Me Out draws on a classic blues shuffle rhythm from Mississippi traditions. Baile DF brings in Adame DJ from Brazil for a Volt Mix approach. Wake Me Up pairs with Locked Club for intense sub bass elements. I Need Luv reunites with Abra and Safety Trance in a dembow infused style. Shut It Down includes rapping from TAICHU over shifting drum patterns that incorporate Latin and wavecore influences. Sh5b0mbe utilizes an older synthesizer whose tuning drifts in an organic manner.
The track Ycore stands out for blending elements not usually combined. Arabic vocals performed by Mayah Alkhateri sit above a Coldwave style bass foundation and guitar strums reminiscent of Robin Guthrie. The rhythm exceeds its 150 bpm marking in perceived speed while melancholic poly saw pads receive sidechain processing that evokes trance music in a terminal setting. The combination produces an effect described as pure frisson accessing emotional and chemical responses distinct from routine dopamine stimulation thereby offering a sense of adrenaline and connection that clubs have overlooked amid current emphases on optimization.
Alex Ridha has established himself as a distinctive presence in electronic music over the twenty first century. He connects disparate genres and maintains respect among purists while achieving widespread recognition without abandoning roots in underground scenes. His production credits include work for A$AP Rocky Bon Iver Frank Ocean Arca Virgil Abloh Lady Gaga and Brutalismus 3000 along with remixes for Daft Punk Depeche Mode Miley Cyrus Tame Impala The Chemical Brothers and A.G. Cook. Film scores encompass Who Am I from 2014 and Snowden in 2016. He maintains independence through his own labels and continues to support emerging artists from various regions.
The announced tour schedule includes multiple dates across different continents. Performances begin on November 6 in Phoenix at OBSIDIAN followed by Mexico City on November 7 for Ultra Music Festival. Additional stops feature Orlando for EDC Orlando and an afterparty on November 8 Washington DC at Echostage on November 13 Miami at Factory Town on November 14 Bangkok on November 27 Zhuhai for VAC Festival on November 28 and 29 Berlin at Berghain on December 18 various Australian festivals in late December and early January an EDSea cruise from January 26 to 31 Lollapalooza events in South America during March and EDC Las Vegas on March 14 and 21.
The full track listing for 7LLVSION comprises the following 01 Boys Noize Illusion 02 Boys Noize and ZEP 1+1+1 03 Boys Noize Take Me Out 04 Boys Noize Nächstenliebe ft Brutalismus 3000 05 Boys Noize HYYTUP 06 Boys Noize and Adame DJ Baile DF ft Thalia Abdon MC DA FRANÇA 07 Boys Noize and Locked Club Wake Me Up 08 Boys Noize and Safety Trance I Need Luv ft ABRA 09 Boys Noize Sh5b0mbe 10 Boys Noize Shut It Down ft TAICHU and Taube 11 Boys Noize Ycore ft Mayah Alkhateri 12 Boys Noize Sireneh.
