Forward-thinking Australian DJ and producer Hydraulix is pleased to present his innovative debut album Imposter Syndrome, a versatile mélange of freeform bass hybrids, drum and bass, dubstep, rap, hip-hop, pop, and trap. The 20-track LP arrives after a string of highly-regarded lead singles: “Waratah” with Nitti Gritti, “Another Minute” ft. Muchi, “Concrete” ft. Jasiah, “Wish I’d Never Met You” with Veronica Bravo, and “Wrench” with Doctor P. A product of lockdown-induced insecurity and feelings of self-doubt,Imposter Syndrome sees Hydraulix tackle his inner demons by creating his most sonically captivating body of work yet. Imposter Syndrome is available to stream now via WAKAAN.
STREAM: HYDRAULIX - ‘IMPOSTER SYNDROME’ [WAKAAN]
Hydraulix is no stranger to WAKAAN, Liquid Stranger’s esteemed label. Following the release of his 2019 Space Cadet EP - his official label debut - he became a fixture on the beloved imprint, churning out groundbreaking singles such as “Let Em Drip,” and landing top billing spots on numerous WAKAAN festival stage takeovers. In early 2020, he was riding the momentum of his debut U.S. tour before being stopped in his tracks by the onset of the global pandemic. Forced to return home to his native city of Melbourne and into a strict lockdown, the distraction and adrenaline that came from his fast-paced lifestyle quickly slipped into a slow-burning comedown.
HYDRAULIX - NORTH AMERICAN ALBUM TOUR 2021 [TOUR ART]
“One thing that I've always struggled with is the feeling of not knowing what I was doing most of the time or not deserving my success and accomplishments,” Hydraulix explains. With newfound time to reflect on his career, he was met with an emotional epiphany that doubled as the main inspiration behind his debut album. “When COVID hit last year, everything changed for me; my US tour got cut short and I go back home [to Australia] and straight into lockdown. After facing the reality of things, I realised I had been dealing with a case of ‘imposter syndrome’ for quite some time,” Hydraulix notes. “It was a tricky time and I wanted to push myself to create something that truly tested me and my production skills. The concept of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ really hit home for me, and I knew it would be a fitting title for the album.”
Imposter Syndrome packs in everything that Hydraulix is known for - hard-hitting bass, uncompromising drops, euphoric highs, and pulsating dubs - together with new sounds and collaborations that see him step out of his comfort zone. The familiarity of high-octane dubstep and bass cuts “Waratah,” a high-profile collaboration with Nitti Gritti, “System Malfunction,” “Take Control,” and “Break Em Down” is complemented by his raw, stripped-back take on bedroom hip-hop, radio-primed EDM, bass-metal, alternative rap, and drum and bass.
Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is how Hydraulix recruited 16 co-collaborators and featured artists, each one a leader in their respective sonic spaces, to help refine and elevate his creative vision. Ohio-based genre-bending up-and-comer Jasiah lends his unfiltered grungy vocals on the bass-metal “Concrete”; longtime collaborator and friend DJ Afterthought injects his hip/hop bass twinge into “Dream”; singer-songwriter and fellow Aussie Veronica Bravo helps him transform “Wish I’d Never Met You” into a slice of dreamy pop/dance perfection; alternative trap breakout star Trippythakid merges his liquid flow with the slick bass production in “Mind Over Matter.” Aiming to push his boundaries as far as possible, he even called upon legendary Australian musician and didgeridoo player Charlie McMahon to add a unique instrumental touch to “Ridgy.” A truly diverse listening experience that holds power as the constant, Imposter Syndrome eases into its conclusion with the hazy, hip-hop-drenched “Another Minute” ft. Muchi, which begs listeners to stay and spin the record once more.
It’s hard to believe that Imposter Syndrome is Hydraulix’s debut album given its impeccable structure. His most well-rounded and complete work to date, Imposter Syndrome positions Hydraulix as a leader that is no longer confined to the bass music space, but one that is ready to take over all facets of musical subgenres with an optimistic demeanor and an added dose of self-assurance.
****
TRACKLIST:
1. Syndrome
2. Concrete ft. Jasiah
3. Smokin’
4. Power Up ft. Wavehi & Edris Ali
5. Ridgy ft. Charlie McMahon
6. Waratah w/ Nitti Gritti
7. 4REAL ft. IndySauce
8. Dream w/ Afterthought ft. Wifisfuneral
9. Bodies Drop w/ G-REX ft. IFN Akai
10. We Come Alive
11. System Malfunction
12. Wish I’d Never Met You w/ Veronica Bravo
13. Radar ft. Jaswed
14. Take Control
15. GOAT ft. P Money
16. Mind Over Matter ft. Trippythakid
17. Bone Crusher w/ Oski
18. Wrench w/ Doctor P
19. Break Em Down
20. Another Minute ft. Muchi
ABOUT HYDRAULIX -- After a career spanning the better part of a decade, Hydraulix is ready for his biggest artistic venture yet with his forthcoming debut album. Bass fans worldwide know Hydraulix as a household name, most recently from his time touring across North America in support of Liquid Strangerand performing speaker-knocking live sets at festivals like Lost Lands, Bass Canyon, Wobbleland, E-Zoo and more. Often seen releasing via Wakaan, Hydraulix has been sought after by such major labels as Never Say Die Records, Disciple, RAM Records, and Circus Records, to name a few. After years of earning the widespread respect of the industry and the die-hard fans, Hydraulix’s long overdue debut record is sure to make massive waves for bass heads everywhere.