Darkness and Dreaminess Become One in VVV & Holly’s New Mini-Album

Seattle label Hush Hush Records is today sharing its latest release, 78SM95, the mini-album from VVV and Holly.

The pairing itself is a clash of both sound and culture: on his own, VVV, born in Iran and based in Austin, Texas, weaves together ambient, garage, and downtempo sounds to create textured, avant-garde tracks; while Holly, hailing from Portugal’s Caldas Da Rainha, churns out blunt, brash bass music that is anything but subtle. On 78SM95, they’ve settled in on a middle ground between their contrasting sounds, creating a cavernous world that’s simultaneously dark and dreamy. It’ll have you looking to the clouds one second and ducking for cover the next.

The mini-LP includes seven tracks, though each is a brief burst of energy, like a thought quickly jotted down lest it be forgotten later. The first song, “2353A8,” establishes its moody presence through VVV’s dubby atmospherics, guided gently along by Holly’s rolling hi-hats. The latter producer takes the reins on “C64D48” with blaring, gunshot-popping drum and bass. For the most part, both artists are represented on each track equally, with VVV offering a vivacious energy and Holly showing restraint.

“This release is mostly a reflection/assessment of our shared influences,” VVV tells THUMP over email, “striving to configure ideas that appear to meet halfway, almost to the point where there’s a hyperaware sense of duality.”

Stream 78SM95 below ahead of its release tomorrow, June 2, on Hush Hush Records. Purchase it here.