Keoni Drops A Pop-Infused Electronic Record
An LP release from Keoni hits with this amazing blend of electronic overtones, vast undertones, and experimental lacings throughout its entire course, but it also builds an incredibly lush atmosphere while still staying somewhat simplistic at times, which is borderline brilliant.
Symbiosis is a record that definitely has some layers to it. Not only does it have layers in terms of its textures, synthesizers, tones, sounds, and more, but it also has layers in terms of its depth in lyrics.
There are certain elements to this record that feel a bit existential. It's a deep-thinking piece of work a lot of the time, and it's part of what pulls you into its atmosphere.
Throughout the record, the artist builds songs and lays out arrangements that have a natural and forward-moving flow, but always have this pop sensibility lurking just beneath the surface.
Different kinds of rhythmic patterns and time signatures combine with each other throughout certain tracks, creating new bounces, and in doing so, he ends up blending and bending genres freely.
For example, the very first track, "System Overload", has a great groove to it. It is definitely electronically thriving with some great synth work that provides both elements of edginess and loads of melody, but the whole thing has an almost hip-hop rhythm.
There are some great changes that add experimental tonality to everything, bringing out that filmic element I mentioned earlier by adding spacious and ambient sounds to certain sections of the track, while the lyrics and vocals feel like you're being told a story.
A lot of the lyrics, not just on this track but on many of them, are very descriptive and detailed. He's really able to paint certain pictures and do so quickly, sometimes within just one line, so that your brain gets sort of overloaded with everything he's saying.
One of the best parts about that is the simple fact that he's able to instrumentally create a mood that matches those lyrics amazingly.
How exactly he's able to do that, I'm not really sure, but it really works.
"We Grow" is probably one of the catchiest and most pop-oriented songs on the record, with a massive hook, high-octane energy, and a very colorful overtone.
He's using some classic and some fresher, kind of quirky synths on this one, and I love that combination of tones as well.
As the record opens up more and more, you begin to expect the unexpected, as this is a release that, although it has those heavy-handed elements of catchiness and pop, is outside the box and is thinking.
There's plenty about this that is avant-garde, but I think that's part of the approach.
The record is built with fewer boundaries than whatever you may be used to, while still giving you the pop overtones a lot of the time. This song is a perfect example of exactly that.
Combining the almost outlandish production approaches and parts with the sections that are catchy and radio-friendly.
The title track of the record, "Symbiosis", is probably the most rambunctious and high-energy of them all. The synth and key work is absolutely incredible here because they create such an expansive feel.
It's also fast-moving, and I feel like it's really cool when he double-tracks his vocals like this. They come through with a little bit more thickness, and you pay a little bit more attention to certain lyrics this way as well. Also, the combination throughout this entire record of natural and digital instrumentation, mainly meaning vocals and synths, really is impressive.
A lot of times, when it comes to a record like this, the mix is imperative. I don't always talk about the mix of a record, but I think it's really important to touch on that because if the producer himself did not mix this record, then whoever did absolutely understood the mission.
This whole record is full of lush layers that sort of come at you or invite you to float alongside them. It is about the choice of synthesizer tones and elements of personality that really make this record work.
Yes, it is an electronic record laced with pop overtones, but there's also a lot of character behind it. I feel like it's the character that you get more attached to than anything else.
Certain songs are far more danceable than others, while certain ones pull you into their space and get you thinking.
I suggest listening to this record in full, from start to finish, in one go.
There are plenty of songs that stand on their own two feet as singles, including the ones I've already mentioned; however, listening to the full record at once is an experience.
This album will get you thinking, feeling, and dancing, and doing it all with headphones on is one of the best ways to listen.
With headphones, you're really more immersed in the record. It is already an immersive record, as I mentioned earlier, but with headphones, you can really soak in all the tones and textures that create these boisterous soundscapes.
Doing it this way also lets you take in a lot of those lyrics as well, which, as I mentioned before, go hand in hand with some of the moods the instrumentals create.
This was definitely an escape. It pulled me away from wherever I was and whatever I was doing and put me in a different headspace.
I would definitely check this out if you were a fan of any kind of electronic music at all. This is something that a lot of time and effort was put into.
Upon listening, I wanted to talk to Keoni about how it was done, what inspired it, and more.
So, while you listen to this album, have a read-through of our interview with Jan Nadrasky, aka Keoni, below.
Do not miss this one, and remember where you heard it first.
Keoni Talks New Album Symbiosis, His Creative Process, Production, Musical Influences & What's Next
Hey Keoni, and thanks so much for doing this with us! Let's kick things off with Symbiosis!
This was so good! Where did this release come from, and is there an ongoing theme for the record?
The theme of the record is the symbiosis between the dark and bright sides of ourselves—learning to let them coexist. The story begins with the burnout I went through a few months ago and moves through several spiritual experiences towards the epic title track, “Symbiosis,” which brings that journey to a close.
What is your setup like? What sort of software and synths are you using on the record?
I use a wide variety of tools, including Ableton Live and plugins from Waves, iZotope Ozone, Native Instruments, and others. I don’t use AI in my music production. I’ve worked with this setup for several years and gradually adapted my workspace so that making music feels as comfortable and intuitive as possible.
Are you producing and performing everything on this?
Yes, I do everything myself: writing, performing, recording, producing, and mastering.
Do you also do your own mixing?
Yes, I handle all the mixing myself too.
How long did this release take you to finish, and are you happy with how it all came to fruition?
I usually release a new single every two weeks, and those songs gradually come together as an album. My albums typically have around eight tracks, with about a month’s gap between projects. I produce roughly one song a week, although not everything I make finds its way onto an album.
Do you perform live at all, or is this a recording project only?
At the moment, it’s a recording project, but I’d be happy to take it live if there’s enough interest. I spent years playing in bands, so performing live is something I’d be open to returning to.
Now that this is out there, are you working on anything else?
I’m preparing my next album, “Ma Mama.” Two singles, “Love At Its Finest” and “Pilsen Rules,” are already out, and the full album is due in January.
How did this all start for you as an artist and producer?
I played live in bands throughout my teens and twenties. After the band broke up, I started working solo and released my first solo album, “Discovery,” in 2020.
Who would you say some of your biggest influences are musically?
There are so many! The Doors, Röyksopp, The Chemical Brothers, and Radiohead are some of my biggest influences, but the list goes on.
Do you have anything you want to say to listeners?
When you love something, don’t give up on it. I know how frustrating the music business can be, but I believe that if you keep giving it your best, eventually that dedication will come back to you many times over. At least, I hope so! :)
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