Musicians and producers imbue emotive messages into their harmonies. When their creations touch my ears, my mind conjures images of meanings. One of the beautiful byproducts of song is the myriad of ways it affects listeners of differing walks of life. It reminds me of a quote from legendary, multi-faceted composer and producer, Roy Ayers. “The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.”
I’ve always thought of DJs and producers as storytellers. It’s a question I sometimes pose to them in conversations. Some brush the idea aside, seeing themselves more as curators of atmosphere and circumstance. Through their efforts, they guide communal experiences for members of their audience. It wasn’t until I spoke with LA-based electronic producer Rinzen that I found a figure who truly embraced this idea. In his words, “I always want to convey some type of story with my work.”
When I first gained introduction to the concept behind Bend to the Light, Rinzen’s forthcoming LP, I sensed a futuristic environment. Cutting-edge interplanetary civilizations. Cyberpunk ideology forecasting transhumanist settings as the lines between man and machine are blurred. Do we control it, or does it control us? As societies advance technologically, citizens change both positively and negatively. Existing in a universe of darkness and light, what types of emotions do we enable rising to our exterior? Much like the parable of ‘The Two Wolves’, where and how we invest our time and energies defines how our futures form.
Bend to the Light feels an encouragement to pursue that which makes the world’s inside and about us grow and glow. Featuring ten tracks, this debut full length album demonstrates Rinzen’s penchant for innovative songwriting. Boasting talented vocal portions intermixed with blends of house beats and techno synths, it’s music that feels uplifting. At times, riffs and progressions ring hauntingly introspective. I appreciate dynamic artistry that inspires multiples meanings and self-discoveries.
Let me share this description of the album’s second track, ‘The Pursuit’. It portrays much of what makes this album outstanding. Furtive bass gives way to hi-fi beats and velocious interjections, as high synth chords of spectral beauty, darkly growling ariose phrases and strange high calls like human threnodies echo through space warning of sinister and entrancing fates. It’s a beautiful mingling of well executed concepts, stimulating the listener to look inward and pursue a path towards their best self.
Several wonderful vocalists feature their flair throughout. I was curious to know how Rinzen comes to work with talent of their type. Does he put out a listing, an old-fashioned classified ad? Do they approach him? Does he have something like a bat signal he employs? (Calling all singers, Rinzen’s putting together something fresh). In his words, “It’s an interesting mix of everything. There are certain vocalists that I have heard their work, and I’m like, wow, I’d really love to work with that person. That’s the case with the vocalist WENNINK, who sings on the title track ‘Bend to the Light’.”
Speaking of, track nine starts with a single piano stroke, almost like an opening word, that morphs into so much more. Before long, WENNINK engages his serenade. Consider this sample of lyrics from the first stanza. “I’m not afraid of anything I want, outside or inside. If it’s good, it’s right. If it’s good, it’s right. Bend to the light.” I feel this indicates that instincts aid alignment of actions. Purpose illuminates pathways towards achievement. One’s gut has a natural capacity for directing our course. Many times, it’s the most honest compass we have. Trust in oneself, tune out idle chatter, lest we listen too long and veer into hollow, unfulfilling spaces.
Songstress Molly Moonwater, aka Sophia Bel, is featured on track number four (my favorite track, and number). In the case of this collaboration, it was the label that reached out to Rinzen. Her tantalizing voice and beautiful lyrics define Déjà Vu. “Maybe we could be brand new. Like a fresh spring in bloom. Across the coast of Déjà Vu. You are back in my room. It feels like I’m losing control. Yea, it feels like I’m losing my soul.” Poignant and poetic, akin to a lament indicative of trying to revitalize lost love. Will it be different this time, have we grown? Or are we still the same creatures that left each other feeling alone? Rhapsodic vocals and inspiring lyrics punctuate uplifting rhythms and tuneful synths. 120 bpm chord progressions send my mind soaring through horizons of time and space, reflecting on the impact of those who have come and gone. Take a moment and appreciate yourself, and the measure with which you’ve endured.
I asked Rinzen how lyrics in his songs are written. He contributed most of the credit to the singers. “It depends on whether you’re working in person with the vocalist or remotely. In some cases, like with Molly Moonwater, the top line was already finished, so there wasn’t any co-writing process. That was entirely her. In the case of ‘Burnin’, which is the first album single with Shallou, that was a case where we met up in person, in the studio, and had written some lyrics on the spot. Though, even in those cases, I usually defer to the songwriter vocalist for the majority of the lyrics. I give some input, but in general, I think these are people who are masters of lyricism. I’d rather see what comes out of them.”
There are a couple of tracks featuring vocals Rinzen shaped by employing AI. Through this utilization, he modified source material into truly unique patterns and sound prints. He delivered this insight, “‘Astronauta’ and ‘Scorpio’ feature a Brazilian vocalist. In that case, I had found this Brazilian jazz song that had this gorgeous vocal. I’d run it through an AI vocal isolator to make an acapella, and then I used it to turn it into those two songs.”
Tracks like ‘Planets Passing Overhead’ (track eight) and ‘Terraforming’ (track five) recall memories from my youth of playing space-age strategy titles like Star Control and Starcraft. I’m returned to early adventures exploring planets, solar systems, galaxies, and meeting sentient alien species. Uniting friendly races into alliance to thwart tyrannical efforts of a greedy hegemonic crux intent on enslaving entire galaxies beneath their power. Building colonies, harvesting resources, and advancing civilizations through research and technology in a race against time, the threat of thralldom looming ever closer. Finally, a track like, ‘I Wanna Be Right’ (track ten), speaks for itself. It’s a spirited and melodic tune that has me softly swaying and nodding my head. Once it concludes, so does this album’s story.
The entirety of Bend to the Light impresses through Rinzen’s diligent structuring of sound. Remarkable lyrics comingling with deftly constructed rhythms, melodies, and chord progressions resonate with my soul. Rinzen’s newest addition to his expanding library of chronicles is a masterful construction, a beautiful collection of compositions evoking feelings and ideas of facing the darkness to orient oneself to the light. As Mohandas Gandhi once said, “If you want to change the world, start with yourself.”
Bend to the Light releases April 5th on Lane 8’s This Never Happened record label. It will be available for download through major platforms and streaming services. For more information on Rinzen, events, merchandise, links to his music, and to purchase tickets, check out his website at rinzenmusic.com and follow him on Instagram @rinzen.
Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.
–Electro Scribe–
