Friday, 5 November 2021

EP Review: CYBERPHUNK EP by CYLAS

 

Cyberphunk EP

By

Cylas

 


Cylas is the new alias of Emcee/Producer Silas from Switzerland. Not only does he have a new name but, he is also bringing a new sound. It has been a couple of years since I last reviewed his 45 release, Against The Grain/Evil Dreams back in July of 2019.

When I saw that he was bringing something new to the table, I was really keen to hear what he had in store for us. When I noted that this new sound was going to be on a breakbeat, electropunk, cyberphunk vibe it piqued my interest even more as it is always good to have some new vibes to get my mind into.

With that said, clear you mind and let me take through the Cyberphunk EP

 

Now Monday’s have never been everyone’s favourite day, the start of a new working week is always a struggle. So, just imagine if one Bloody Fucking Monday (which feat. Steelyvibe) you awoke to carry on your same old routine but, unaware that your really in living in a cyber reality like the matrix. Somewhere you have no real control over your fate, just think about it as the huge sonic sounds and heavy beat create this mind-bending reality in your mind. Would that version of reality be a bad place? What about the hear and now imagine that Aliens look down on most of the people on earth as Idiots, do we really fit that label? As you ponder that, the soundscape here is a perfect head nod Hip Hop sound over which is a multi-layered electronic soundscape that moves like light through a fiberoptic cable. The high-octane, pulse pounding sound is reminiscent of some modern soundtracks. Just imagine the scene on earth if alien beings landed here and the chaos that might ensue, does the vibe of this track not fit perfectly…

Moving into the EP’s title track, the beat and electronic vibes are less frantic. This allows you to once more separate yourself from the reality you’re living in and drift back to that Cyberphunk space. Here it feels like you are hovering above this cyber reality and watching as everything around you happen at the speed of light. As your mind is drifting and conjuring up all sorts of visions the frequency shifts and huge sonic and electronic sounds shift your perception once more. Fireball Flingaz join you and, as the beat hits, this current cyber reality morphs into something new. Remark and Exile explain that in here the outside world has no control, you can speak your truths without fear but, the powers that be always seeks to control, everyone must Approach and Identify. The vibe is upbeat and infectious, and DJ Tones ensures that the outsiders are cut down to size. This is one version of cyber reality you won’t want to leave in a hurry, trust me…

Once more the reality shifts and we find ourselves introduced to a reality where there is No Good News. The backdrop beat pounds your mind into submission while the sonic electronic sounds stretch and bend you understanding of reality to the point where you just go with it. That is exactly what they want, they want you not to question this reality and just be under their control because the truth is that the news is not as bad as they would have you think? The EP ends with the Against The Grain (Cyber RMX) and here the beat pounds and the sonic vibes carry you through the fiberoptic cables and around the world at dizzying speeds. As you travel the original message that the Fireball Flingaz and Silas brought is catapulted into this new digital cyber era. Now, being yourself and going Against The Grain is something that can be seen by millions almost instantly and we have to learn new ways to constantly stand up for our truth, be individuals and not to be taken in by fear that is being perpetrated around us in the Cyberphunk era…

 


There is no doubt that the Cyberphunk EP is not Hip Hop however, it does seem to draw its inspiration from a wide range of sources from Hip Hop and electronic music to Punk, soundtrack, and other more modern music. The overall vibe created by Cylas is not one that you can easily pin to one genre as there seems to be elements of steampunk, cyberpunk, the matrix, and our current 3D reality, which all blend together and what it produces is this stunning sonic sound that is, quite honestly, a delight to listen to. The addition of Fireball Flingaz (Remark and Exile) and DJ Tones works so well on Approach & Identify and I am sure this one will find it’s way on to more than a few Hip Hop playlists.

It could be said that this sound is not for everybody, and it may well be that not everyone will like it on first listen but, I am sure that if you give it time it will grow on you. All the elements work so well together and the instrumental aspect of most of the EP gives so much scope for the listener to follow their own journey with Cylas having given you just enough direction before letting you go it alone. It is a refreshing sound that shows the talent of Cylas as a producer, and I’m fairly sure this will just be the start of many more to come.

I really don’t want to say too much more as I feel the music will do most of the talking. It is just worth mentioning that Bloody Fucking Monday is exclusive to the Bandcamp release, and the cover photography is by the very talented Beach Cams Man and features the equally talented Atilia Gig.

The Cyberphunk EP is out today on Giftklass Labor via Bandcamp with other streaming links to follow.

As always, on that note,

I’m out, See ya,

Steve


LINKS

Grab your copy from Bandcamp Here:

https://cylas.bandcamp.com/album/cyberphunk-ep


VIDEOS

Approach & Identify ft Fireball Flingaz and DJ Tones




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