Shyft - honor

Shyft

HonoR
Shyfted Minds; 2013

4.0 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Shyft is a producer based out of Minnesota, focused on creating a powerful and hard-hitting blend of gabber, hardcore and drill'n'bass with tons of groove. Shyft prides himself in making music by following his instinct, developing his tracks and mixes through a process of trial and error that leads to an experimental approach with songs that refuse to remain constricted by the limitations of one single genre, going for a wider style that embraces countless influences. HonoR is Shyft's 2013 studio effort, and it is a collection of 11 tracks with an eclectic and open-minded spirit that depicts the attitude behind this whole project. 

"Empty Patch of Waste Land I" is the album opener, striking the listener with an abrupt, cold and harsh sonic assault, where distorted sounds blur to the point of confusion - which in this context is a totally welcome attribute, adding to the aggressively free-form approach of the recordings. Songs like "Arrogance" and "Balance" subvert the listener's expectations and showcase that there's more to Shyft's music than sheer distorted madness. These songs showcase sophisticated arrangements, especially when it comes to the intricate development of beat patterns and bass lines. The sound is consistent, but the variety in the performances and in the arrangements truly help make this record flow eclectic and diverse, as opposed to many albums of classic techno hardcore music. The album ends with "Just An Other Means To An End So Pristine" which starts with a wicked piano lick before a sonic onslaught of dirty synths and a steady kick drum melts your face off. There is an interesting eastern vibe on this song for a second before the whole arrangement just kicked my ass again. This song is truly amazing in the amount of changes that are constantly changing and evolving over time.  Shyft manages to deliver a great, fresh and personal take on his influences, straying from the trends of the moment and truly succeeding in expressing ideas and sounds of his own. Check this original piece of work out.

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