Ober Dada

As the mist of 2024 clears and the world tunes into new frequencies, “Fresh Air”, the eighth release from Dubblack, emerges as a sonic breath. Created by the elusive Ober Dada—an alter ego of Keyn Acid—this record is a dialogue between past and future, machine and soul, the familiar and the unknown. Slated for release at the end of October 2024, the EP offers both digital version and a coveted 150-limited edition CD, ensuring that “Fresh Air” leaves a mark both physically and digitally, just like the artist behind it.

In a time when music often seeks immediacy, Ober Dada invites patience, space and time for reflection, yet keeping the tempo high and the beats strong, in an existential sonic paradox. “Fresh Air” hints at a love for tension and experimentation, bringing a new layer to his artistic identity. It’s as if he has taken a walk through the echoes of Dub and the shadows of Techno, only to return with something raw and otherworldly, like implementing Roman Orthodox choirs, blended with a nostalgic saxophone (played by Samir), just to mention one of the many assorted sonic minutiae he displays throughout the record.

The record opens with "Transax", a track that feels like the grinding engine of a world in transition—both mechanical and organic, yet rhythmic enough to keep you moving forward. Then comes "Afterbreather", a sonic exhale, a true anthem that explores those in-between spaces, where beats punch hard and morph into a dense soundscape, wrapping up the listener with its masterly crafted pads and uncanny samples. This is the moment when you realise you’re in Ober Dada’s world now.
"Hard 2 Love Easy 2 Hate” is delivered in two forms: the original one and an entrancing “Dub Mix”, which is the third in the tracklist. The “Dub Mix” offers an introspective twist, stripping back the layers and letting the core groove speak, daring the listener to find their own narrative in the rhythm.
"Direct Call" is a direct line to the deeper parts of your psyche. It’s the sound of connection, the pulse of technology wrapped in the warmth of human emotion. The presence of the beatboxer Basimilus Kras, who’s infernal sounds complement the tune, make this composition just unique. There’s a certain tension here, before the groove breaks free, leaving you suspended in that tantalising space.
Finally, "Hard 2 Love Easy 2 Hate” (the original) is emotionally charged with a deep bassline, violins and echoing synths drawing from the nostalgia of late '90s Dub Techno, yet rooted in the present with a rebellious edge. It generates two stunning parallel levels of listening, one featuring the instrumental section and the another one consisting of the groovy rhythmics.

In “Fresh Air” Ober Dada finds that rare balance between form and experimentation, creating a record that feels like a lucid dream—handing us a moment of clarity amid a planet full of noise. Whether you’re a collector grabbing one of the limited CDs or a digital-head, “Fresh Air” will linger long after the final track fades.

Prepare to breathe deeply, “Fresh Air” is on the horizon.