Fresh out of the beating heart of Brighton’s music scene in the UK, here is Luga with his first EP, Become. There are three tracks on this masterwork, diving deep into the realms of chillstep and future garage while still managing to bring lots of atmosphere and groove with the use of deep melodic tones. A home-recorded work, Become is crafted in his signature DIY style, pulling its audience towards pools of nostalgic ambiance and hypnotic rhythms.
The EP starts with “Become Us,” which instantly sends you to an environment of dreamy nostalgia. The added sounds of crackling enhance the synthesis and seem both vintage and futuristic simultaneously. A soft beat comes in, and the room you are sucked into is one of calm but rhythmic chilledness. Here, Luga works quite well with deep textures that make this track hypnotic; one feels lost in its serenading flow. This chillstep concoction is the perfect opener, gracefully leading to the journey he wants to make with the listener.
“Distant Stare” keeps in line with the airy theme of this EP, filled with an ambiance that would pass off for something close to a dreamy meditation. The vocals here are very captivating—somewhat haunty, ethereal—and build deep elements into the track, making it even more alluring. The beat is somewhat tribal, grounding the celestial sounds and providing quite a balanced auditory experience. The track seems to go almost introspectively as if one were staring at the vastness of the universe.
EP closer “Flying Lower” revitalises everything. The light, breezy synth atmosphere easily accompanies the sweet and ethereal vocals, floating effortlessly over the rhythm. It’s an odd catching beat, hypnotising in its flow like the coming and going of the tide. This track leaves you buoyant; it’s a fitting conclusion to the atmospheric journey Luga has crafted.
‘Become’ EP is a stellar debut for Luga, revealing his ability to craft intricate soundscapes that are as immersive as they are emotive. Taking influences from the likes of Chillstep and Chillout producers like Rushkeys, Luga has carved out his niche within the genre of Chillstep/Future Garage with a genuinely unique sound. The personal EP makes the experience close and accurate, through sounds that touch or inspire the listener.
As Luga continues to poke and probe into new musical areas, ‘Become’ will be a necessity for the fans of atmospheric grooves and deep melodic tones alike, ensuring a way to be remembered. Whether taking a mental chill, meditating, or just running away on beautiful soundscapes, ‘Become’ is the perfect soundtrack for your journey.
You can find more of Luga at:
You can listen to ‘Become’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.