London producer Dark0 has always created his music as a snapshot, a kind of journal, its sole agenda being to illustrate the thoughts, passions and frustrations of a given time and place. Previously releasing with tastemaker labels Lost Codes and Rinse, the 25-year-old’s debut for XL is the Oceana EP. Oceana describes the unstable relationship Dark0 shares with his environment, narrating the story of his city’s illusions of grandeur, mired by hypocrisy and a false sense of security. Dark0 weaves this narrative into a stunningly warm, sorrowful, yet optimistic sound creating a real cinematic journey for the listener.
Dark0, who emerged as the pioneer of melodic, grime-referencing club anthems, breaks away from his previously known sound for his XL debut. Showcasing Dark0’s ease at creating tunneling melodic earworms defined by their punishing percussion and refrain, the Oceana EP journeys through love sick, dark-pop (‘Forever’) and total euphoria (’Luka’), before retribution (‘Plague’) and ending with ‘Heal’’s redemptive qualities.
Having already gained praise from The Fader, i-D, FACT & Resident Advisor (“endlessly listenable”), Dark0’s Oceana EP cements the cult musician as one of the most skilled and revered producers London has today.
Listen to ‘Forever’ on Spotify here
OCEANA EP:
Tracklist:
A1. Forever
A2. Luka
B1. Plague
B2. Heal
