breathe. - “Journey”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 7

Pairs Well With…Until the Ribbon Breaks, SAULT, James Blake

Trip hop that truly concentrates on melding rap and chilled electronic dance music is rare, but breathe. take up that mantle cleanly on a pair of self-titled EPs since debuting in 2020. A duo from Australia, breathe. concentrate on the soul leans in their music, either through throwback phrasing or bare, futurist vocals. By taking R&B slices and applying them to tripped out electropop, breathe. weave hypnotic trails that embrace repetition like the best trance-pop of the 90s. They're subtle artists as well, not necessarily minimal, but also avoiding builds and drops to connect to audiences. Production on both EPs is full and interesting, but never hits cleanly over the head. Instead breathe. utilizes soundscapes, atmospheric waves that play well against softened electro beats and low-key vocal croons. It’s a hypnotic yet moving listen, one that hopefully continues with more music in 2024 as breathe. hone their distinct musical craft. (Kevin McStravick)