Reflex - MYTHM, Matheny

Producers MYTHM and Matheny have crafted something hellishly nasty.

They call it the "Reflex" EP, released on Wormhole Music. It's the kind of project that was probably inspired by—or probably even samples—the thick atmosphere of the deepest, darkest depths of hell. Or maybe it's just two producers doing a fantastic job with grimy, experimental production. But I choose to believe the former. Whichever one it was, though, it's definitely got the potential to blow your socks off by how relentlessly gritty "Reflex" posits itself as, hefting its mighty basslines and distorted sound design and its overall balls-to-the-walls terrifying experience. It's gimmicky, sure, but it's one hell of a good gimmick. The production isn't even that technically masterful, but the impressive part is that this is a concept where the technical aspects of the production don't even need to be on point—in fact, it might even be better without meticulous perfection, because "Reflex" pertains to sheer grit rather than musical mastery. "Bones" is explosive, the title track "Reflex" fluctuates like anything, and "Sinner" has a more prominent lead, but they all derive from the same warped sound design that permeates the project in its entirety. And I wouldn't be writing such a positive review if that sound design wasn't some of the best bass-focused spine-chilling jaw-dropping sound design around.

But some of the best bass-focused spine-chilling jaw-dropping sound design around doesn't mean much when your project is only three tracks long. Sure, there are plenty of 3 track EPs, but for this one in particular, the length feels like it drags it down a lot, because it ends the atmosphere as quickly as it starts it. It's hard to fault the ideas though, even if the production isn't your flavour of music.