[DD #2] Rezident - Air

The Sky, The Breeze, The Air...

I'm sure you'll find that the current soundscape of electronic music has a lot to be heard. With sounds that shatter your eardrums to sounds that lull you to sleep, there truly is such a diverse soundscape. One such artist within this vast soundscape that I'd like to draw attention to is Rezident.

I first discovered Rezident back in 2018 with Want It All released via Eukaryota. I remember I was living in The Netherlands during that time, and to me it was absolute magic. The deep sounds combined with the somber yet comforting winter nights of The Netherlands was truly something.

Today I want to talk about a semi-recent EP from Rezident titled "Air". This self released EP, released on the second of May 2023, consists of six songs, with three of them being extended mixes of the first three. I will be reviewing the songs as if I were listening to the extended mixes, but feel free to listen to whichever version you prefer.

Without further ado, lets jump right into this review!

Air

The sun in my eyes,

I can see through your disguise

Rezident starts off this incredible EP with Air, an aptly named, dreamy song that utilizes an incredible array of instruments and sounds. With a set of deep yet dreamy vocals to assist, Air captures a mood that is very indicative of what it means to be your best self. The start of the song gives way to what sounds like wind chimes; a lovely touch for a song named Air dont you think? Once the chimes twinkle for a bit, we're met with incredible bass that then helps usher in the other various instruments and vocals. A very atmospheric start to the EP, and I can't help but imagine what my best self will look like. But theres only one way to find out isn't there?

Picture yourself working towards your best self. What does it entail? Are you financially free? Is your physical and mental health in top shape? Have you accomplished, or are you taking the steps necessary in order to achieve all that you want?

When all is said and done, there should be no "what ifs" on our death beds, only "what was".

So go out there, and do whatever it takes to be your best self.

Elevate

The second song in the EP, Elevate is where the magic REALLY happens in my opinion. I have genuinely been listening to the extended mix almost nonstop for the past couple of days. I listen to it when I do work, I listen to it when I drive (the weather is nice and cold and is perfect for driving with the windows down), I even listen to it when I shower. I believe Elevate is the current pinnacle of Rezident's discography. I truly believe that, and I am willing to die on that hill. Elevate does something no other Rezident song has done, and that is leaving the listener with a yearning sensation. Whenever I listen to this song, I'm left wanting to travel back home. I'm left craving for exploration of this world and the beauty in which I believe I am missing. To be honest, after the song is done I feel empty. Like I'm missing something. But I know I am, and I know what it is. I'm missing this world and all that it has to offer.

Elevate starts off with a nice punchy bass that soon leads into these beautiful chords. With a sound I can only describe as ethereal, yet familiar. It sounds both of this world and so much more. There is so much emotion packed inside these sounds that its honestly a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. Have you ever listened to music so good, that you’ve felt overcome by emotion with just how beautifully crafted the song is? Sometimes you tear up with how much emotion is weaved into the sound design. Elevate is one of those songs. Where as Air was a very atmospheric start to the EP, I believe Elevate to be exactly as the name says. An elevating experience, lifting the listener far above the clouds, yet still finding a way to keep us grounded.

Elevate invites us to elevate our senses of self, forcing us to face ourselves and begs the question “Are we the best versions of ourselves, or can we be better?”.

So, are you the best version of yourself, or can you elevate yourself to be far better than you were before?

Vortex

Closing out the EP with Vortex, Rezident does so with a bang. Something Rezident seemed to do very well with this EP was naming the songs with the vibe it sought to capture, and Vortex is no different. An intricate, busy, and stronger song than its predecessors, Vortex seems to pull the listener in, sucking us deeper in and holding us down. Think of a tornado ripping through a town, the carnage it has caused. Vortex is much like one in the sense that, its a much heavier song. With bass much more aggressive than before, and instruments that sound far sharper than the two others, Vortex acts as the “balance” many of us hold inside our minds. With Air and Elevate clearing the skies ahead for us, Vortex serves as that darker twist on it all.

Sure, we all doubt ourselves now and again, but its what we do with those thoughts that count. Do we let them overcome us and hold us hostage, eventually leading to a debilitating view on how we interact with the world? Or do we use those thoughts for fuel in order to achieve something greater? Do we let the storm consume us, or do we breathe and claw our way through the storm?

Much like a storm, some of the chords in Vortex are much like the eye of the storm, or the clear skies and cool weather after the storm. Your continued fight through the storm rewards you with little hints of the clear skies ahead, much like the chords towards the end of the song. They peak through the harder bass and droning chords much like sunshine might through clouds during an overcast day.

And much like a storm moving past its destination, my review for the EP titled Air by Rezident concludes. I do truly believe that this is some of, if not, the best work Rezident has put out. It was short but sweet, especially if you gave the extended versions a listen, definitely more mileage out of this EP. This EP has, and will continue to see some pretty serious run time in my rotation. An EP that I could easily play during any season, and any time of the day, Rezident has crafted something truly remarkable with this EP. I (and so should you) cannot wait to see what else Rezident has in store for listeners. If you haven’t already, give his discography a listen. There are many pieces of audible gold to be found there, I’m just sharing what I believe to be his best work yet.

All in all, I give this EP a large tornado tearing through a midwestern town out of Bill Paxton (B-).

I do greatly appreciate you giving this a read, and hope you’ve found something to add to your library. Until next time, I wish you all the very best in your life endeavors.

Per Audacia ad Astra

-Hyperoxia

(P.S. If you understand the Bill Paxton reference, this is a friendly reminder to go watch it again.)