This “MIA” EP brings closure to Dylan Newton’s DJN moniker with a variance of five tracks on Iowa-based label, Tiger Tapes.
Newton ends his DJN moniker on his home grown label Tiger Tapes with five defining tracks that encompass the journey that his DJN moniker, and the label, have moved through since inception.
Starting off with “luui’s groove”, the EP begins on the right foot, defining the versatility that the Midwest artist has been known for. Minimalistic and heavily influenced by psychedelic Lo-Fi sonics, this track pays homage to the origins of Tiger Tapes and the DJN sound design that started the label.
The title track, “MIA”, immediately shifts gears and dives into styles reminiscent of the Kinesis label coupled with deeper, more eerie sounds that rattle in and out of the aether of the track. As it progresses, a resounding gong sound emotes memories of late nights in Midwest warehouses and underground venues.
“Orion i” provides an ambient breakaway and shows the influences from other Midwest regions. About a minute in, it dives into heavy, rolling bass lines and percussion elements peppered about the timeline. The track easily transitions in and out of strange, temperamental ambient soundscapes all the way to heavy, throbbing low ends.
Like its predecessor, “orion ii” places emphasis on heavy, snappy kick lines and an ominous ambiance. As it progresses, the feeling drifts into more of a folding melancholy state, bringing some semblance of an ending. DJN has always been a maestro of the open-air, early-morning energy brought to a sweat-laden warehouse, and “orion ii” showcases this sound that he’s become intrinsically associated with.
Aptly named due to not only it being the final track of the release, but also the closing of the moniker, “closure” summarizes the end of the release and an era in its own right. Heavily influenced by the Minneapolis movements that’ve garnered DJN’s recent interests, the kick and bass sequencing is his take on a Midwest regional sound that has become notable across the country and beyond. Filter sweeps and reverb-laden percussive sequences with soft synth structure almost emote a Moog-esque vibe dancing through the middle of the track and again, bringing out the signature swing on Techno but with a nicely upgraded feel.
The “MIA” EP overall brings out the finality in the closure of a period of artistic expression for this artist and his journey therein. Though, if history has any indication of what the future holds, I’m sure there’s something just around the corner.
-Colin Cook
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