Future Bass producer Sober Rob, who recently relocated to LA from Boston, seems to be enjoying the artistic freedom of the West Coast. In his debut EP, Enlighten, a NEST HQ premiere from Slow Roast Records, he delivers a unique combination of six distinctive tracks, each contributing to a solid, if irregular, rookie project.

It feels two-sided; one dark and dirty, the other more light and airy. Its heavier tracks such as the aptly-named opener with fellow producer Alexander Lewis, EMP, the solo track Rubber, and the finale with lux.impala, Coil, rely on sequences of filthy trap basslines and scratching dirty synths. Their dirty tones are unique, yet often abrasive in their timbre selection and disorganization.

Where Sober Rob’s specialty seems to lie is in his slower, more concentrated work. In Surface, he finds a way to blend his grimier style with a functional rhythm and melody, lending a smoother sound to the listener’s ear than any other on the project. With help from Thai vocalist Myra Molloy, he explores an emotional side in Blue. Establishing a sensitive banger with a slow, deliberate tempo in With Me, Rob’s takes a rapid right turn by increasing its speed and pitch over halfway through and concludes Enlighten in what seems to be his more favored, heavy fashion.

Though lacking in standout moments, Sober Rob’s debut EP is admirably different. He excels when he slows down, but obviously believes in and enjoys his grungy style. It is a solid project holistically, and hearing a young artist explore his creative personality freely in his professional career is inherently refreshing.

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Written By: Aaron Nelson