Kathmandu, Nepal, nestled deep within the majestic Himalayas, might not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking of global electronic music hotspots. Yet, beneath the towering peaks, a vibrant and innovative underground scene has been quietly flourishing, nurturing some of the most exciting and boundary-pushing sounds in contemporary dance music. Emerging from intimate DIY gatherings of dedicated DJs and producers, this Nepalese hub is now gaining international recognition, championed by influential artists like Aisha Devi and celebrated by publications such as DJ Mag. At the forefront of this burgeoning movement is YNZN, an artist whose SSPB debut EP, Body Rock, serves as a potent introduction to his unique sonic world and the electrifying energy of Kathmandu’s underground.
YNZN’s Body Rock EP is a masterclass in fusing global bass music trends with the rich tapestry of Nepalese musical heritage. He skillfully interweaves samples drawn from centuries-old Nepalese folk traditions, transforming them into intensely rhythmic and percussive tracks designed for the dance floor. These are not simply remixes or simple sample loops; YNZN reimagines these traditional elements, constructing intricate and dynamic soundscapes that are both immediately impactful and deeply layered. His genius lies in his masterful command of space and minimalism. YNZN crafts club-ready anthems with a bold sparseness, achieving a directness that paradoxically highlights the profound textural complexity within each track. Throughout Body Rock, he expertly manipulates sonic layers, subtly introducing and withdrawing elements to build tension and release, creating ample space to showcase his rhythmic ingenuity and razor-sharp sound design skills.
A defining characteristic of Body Rock is its heightened emphasis on percussion. YNZN treats virtually any sound source as potential raw material for rhythmic exploration, chopping and reconfiguring diverse elements into compelling drum patterns. In “Smoke and Mirrors,” he intricately weaves vocal samples from a traditional Nepalese folk song into jagged, captivating hooks, all underpinned by a resilient and elastic bassline. “Headshot” takes a different approach, almost entirely eschewing conventional melody. Instead, YNZN utilizes tuned drums to subtly imply harmonic contours within the track’s stripped-down, skeletal rhythmic framework, demonstrating his ability to create musicality through rhythm alone. In contrast, “Deuce” unfolds from driving drum patterns and classic rave stabs into a richly layered and melodically sophisticated piece. Interlocking synth arpeggios and melancholic pads provide some of the EP’s most emotionally resonant moments, showcasing YNZN’s range and depth as a producer. The title track, “Body Rock,” elevates the energy to fever pitch. Ratcheting up the BPM, it unleashes searing synth lines that ride atop relentless, pneumatic percussion and cavernous low-end frequencies, pushing the track towards ecstatic, transcendent peaks.
Body Rock firmly establishes YNZN as a leading figure not only within the Nepalese electronic music scene but also as one of the most compelling and innovative producers currently operating on a global scale. By channeling his mutant club sensibilities into even more minimalist and direct structures, he has crafted his most daring and impactful release to date, solidifying his position as a true innovator in contemporary electronic music.
