Reviewing so many tracks lately, I didn’t even notice how little “pure” lo-fi I’ve actually been listening to. I’ve constantly dealt with tracks that, in one way or another, were mixed with other genres. But today, I came across a composition by Slovak artist grainShift_. His track, titled “somewhere_after_now,” possesses that same old, dusty, and warped sound—not just in the beats, but across all the stems of the track.
Sound Architecture
Right from the start, you can feel it in the piano notes. I wouldn’t say they are overly deformed, but they are definitely run through some vintage filter—in some places, you can even hear the hammers hitting the strings. It sounds incredibly warm and nostalgic.
If you pay attention to the guitar chords, they are even more distorted. The effect is very similar to a chewed-up tape in an old recorder, and it doesn’t feel intentional or forced at all. On the contrary, it sounds so organic, as if the author actually recorded it straight from a cassette player.
This nostalgia is perfectly complemented by a great, live-feeling beat. It’s quite deep and very reminiscent of J Dilla’s work. Admittedly, the bass that emerges at the 40-second mark felt a bit louder than necessary, grabbing a lot of attention. However, you get used to it quickly, and within 10–15 seconds, the sound feels organic again.
Why Listen?
“somewhere_after_now” makes me realize that as a curator, I receive fewer and fewer examples of lo-fi tracks that haven’t strayed from the genre’s main branch—tracks created according to all the canons set by the classics a decade ago.
With this work, grainShift_ reminds us where it all began and how far the genre has evolved. This track is a must-have that should always be nearby to remind us, as it did me, of how true, unpolished lo-fi should sound.
P.S. If you enjoy complex, evolving rhythms, be sure to check out the collaboration between 7apes and the intern.
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