Neosignal head Phace operates in the highest echelon of continental drum & bass amidst a tightly knit class that includes the likes of Noisia, Mefjus, and his label partner Misanthrop. The German producer isn't just essential in maintaining standards in the neurofunk space, he was also a major part in developing the sound in the first place– his catalogue in the genre extends as far back as 2004, when today's musical landscape was but a gleam in the eye of a few northern European music nerds with a whole lotta plug-ins and a whole lotta time.Phace's upcoming LP, titled Shape the Random, is his second solo collection to date, and it finds the production wizard on fine form. "To me, the album is a musical hybrid of the characteristics that form 'me' – the rational, emotional, and sometimes even mad and random parts of myself," Phace tells THUMP. "I neither had a calculated plan, nor a concrete conceptual idea when I started. I did not want to limit myself by imposing too many conditions. Music to me isn't a rat race, but a passion, and it represents creative freedom. I am not a machine, even though I like machines."We've got the premiere on "Monochrome" from the album. Careening at a cool 86/173bpm, the track hums with all the frenetic energy you'd expect from the man, interspersed with some switch-up breaks and a bossy bassweight that doesn't over-utilize aggression amongst all the heady madness.In Phace's words: " 'Monochrome' to me is a like a black and white photograph. You have black, deep and wild parts, but also white, light and bright parts as dependent, opposing forces flowing together and seeking a balance. If I look at all the music on the record, I think I worked longest on "Monochrome" to get it sounding the way I wanted it to. My favorite part of the track is the sort of neutral and droning second breakdown. I'm addicted to drone sounds!"Shape the Random is released on March 16, but a two-track sampler featuring "Monochrome" will be available on February 16.Phace is on Facebook // SoundCloud // Twitter
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