Time Traveling Paradox

Gramatik’s independent label, Lowtemp, has had another busy year in 2017, with releases from a number of up and coming producers as well as plenty of new music from artists already on the roster. Starting off the new year, Lowtemp will release a new EP from the enigmatic 20-year old beatmaker Whynnel, based in Koper, Slovenia. It’s the same region where Gramatik himself hails from, and has become known in recent years as the most potent region in the country as far as producing interesting artists all across the music genres.  

Aside from the releases he has put out so far, not much else is known about Whynnel as he has kept himself away from the spotlight and focusing simply on his music. One of the first tracks that got him noticed and made rounds around the blogosphere was “Mitzdi” – a brooding hip hop/house hybrid that felt like a new genre might be born. His two-track EP, “Omnipresence” further established him as an artist not afraid of doing things in his own unique way. In one of the rare quotes that are available, Whynnel said he wants “[…] listeners to feel like they are disappearing through the music only to be left as observers.” Those words feel completely appropriate for the EP he has delivered most recently.

“Time Travelling Paradox” sees him continuing to explore the legacy of abstract hip hop that DJ Shadow pioneered and taking it into exciting new directions. While his previous releases felt like he was flirting with bass genres and testing out experimental synth lines, the new EP is the definition of “chill." Even when the tempo isn’t slowed all the way down the intricately constructed beats move along nice and easy, providing a steady backdrop for the melodies and percussive elements Whynnel is layering on top of them. The whole EP feels more organic than some of his previous work; there are more instruments used – especially guitar with a variety of effects – and that gives the EP a lighter note even though it can just as easily be used as a soundtrack to late-night contemplating sessions.