Lead single Pages is a good representation of the vibe on offer: warm, enveloping sub-bass, wisps of female vocals drifting between reverbed waves of strings and synths, delicate plinking melodies with a touch of electronic sizzle. Title track Acceptance shuffles with purpose, a plucked guitar twang and rising keys riding a chugging central bass synth that suggests an almighty struggle being overcome. With the album being produced over the COVID quarantine era, it’s easy to see the sonic metaphor - this is music of soul and triumph.
Elsewhere this formula is tweaked to varying degrees of light and shade: on standout track Transition, long-time vocal collaborator Lelijveld brings icy, pristine croons to bear on a chilled-out triphop beat complete with sultry clarinet; a juddering bass stab wobbles underneath pensive blips and skittering perks on the moody You’ll See. A handful of short, atmospheric sketches demonstrating Truth’s wide instrumental palette rounds things out, including a tricked-out harp on Something Missing and acoustic piano over crackling vinyl on album-ending Deja Vu.
If you’re in the mood for music to find solace in, precisely mapped soundscapes where technical wizardry is largely subdued in service of emotional authenticity, you’ll find much to love here. Pop on the headphones and sink into your comfiest chair to get transported.
Sonic architects of songs with an emotional heft as heavy as the subwoofer rupturing basslines that underpin their work, Truth are one of New Zealand's finest creative exports. Respected across the globe since inception, Truth have, as both world-class producers and party-rocking DJ's, cut a clear pathway through the international dubstep scene.
On the global touring circuit, the fruits of their labor have included hundreds of shows and festivals across Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, South and North America as well as key hosted Deep Dark & Dangerous takeovers at some of the world's top festivals, including Shambala, Outlook Festival and Infrasound.
Building their performance presence through years of prolific production output, weekly mixes and streaming, and key DJ support from the likes of Mala, Skream, Bassnectar, Liquid Stranger, Youngsta and Hatcha to name just a few - the duo have released music on their very own Deep Dark & Dangerous label, founded in 2012 and now home and incubator to a growing host of acts focused on the unmistakable DDD sound - as well as a diverse list of others, including Deep Medi Muzik, Disciple, Wakaan and more.