Gotta love that Corner bass. You know the one I’m talking about: that throbbing bassline that gets all up in your blood system and starts doing laps in it. Fortunately for XXYYXX – an 18-year-old bedroom beat maker from Florida – the bass was used to its fullest capacity within his thickly distorted repertoire. Dipping his toes in post-dubstep, chillwave and lo-fi production, the teenager’s versatility and skill can definitely be likened to older multi-genre producers like Steven Ellison (Flying Lotus) and Nicolas Jaar.
Most of the crowd seemed to be digging his beats, particularly those up the front who almost pissed their pants every time they detected a track they knew. It was the people at the back of the room and along the sides – including myself – who seemed a little sceptical. I’m not speaking for everyone else – maybe they just weren’t in the mood – but I certainly wasn’t won over. Yeah his beats were tight and often flowed well, but I was basically just watching a DJ mixing his own tracks. I mean, I know his expertise lies in his digital instruments – and his eponymous album more than validates this – but I was expecting something much more from his live show.
As far as I could see, there was just a laptop, a mixer and maybe a couple of basic pads. When I saw Mount Kimbie the week before, I was more than impressed with their set-up: keys, mixers, live drums and both an electric guitar and bass. I know I shouldn’t compare, but that’s what I was expecting; maybe not an electric guitar, but at least something spontaneous. Hold up, I apologise, there was a brief moment of spontaneity when he warned in advance that people were probably going to “hate” him for this and then proceeded to rap (rather inadequately) over a beat that was so terrible and incongruous that I can’t even remember the title. A lot of people started to make their way over to the exit throughout that.
It’s definitely worthwhile to check out his records if you’re one of the uninitiated, but as far as the live show goes, I wouldn’t damage your wallet over it if it doesn’t evolve. Still glad I got to see another show I missed at Laneway though.
BY DINA AMIN
Photos by Ben Clement
Loved: That bass.
Hated: That random rap thing towards the end of the set.
Drank: Cider and lots of ice.
