Bassnectar unleashed his eleventh LP, All Colors, that showcases the prolific artist and activist’s versatility within the bass space and sound design acuity. Lesser known as Lorin Ashton, The Sub Don is characterized by his dual attack of hard and heavy beats contrasting with beautiful, melodic soundscapes—all of which are provided in this new long play from core to perimeter. The front half evokes involuntary bass-face while the second half curates a more serene, laid-back atmosphere. There are of course exceptions, like the hard-hitting “Rise & Shine” that follows a staple chiller in Ashton’s set with the Bass Remedy remix of “Empathy.” Also the introduction, “Interpret The Future,” sets a meditative space that crescendos into a heavier technological landscape brought to us by the introspective producer.
The intro leads into a grip of wild, heavy bass clinics with features from YOOKiE, Blakkamoore, and UFO!, before running through singles such as “Rewind The Track” featuring Ashel Seasunz, another melodic bass sustaining hyphy-inspired song, a remix of Apashe and Instasamka, “Uebok Gotta Run,” and “Nice & Easy” featuring Rodney P.
Frequent Bassnectar collaborator, Zion I, and DJ Pound roll off the tail-end of the hard-hitting wonders, while the project’s finale sees a feature from Sati Ananda and a Bassnectar redux of Michael Franti & Spearhead’s “Skin on the Drum.” The album wraps with “Optimism,” a gorgeously glimmering closer that perpetuates hope for the future after an introspective journey with a wide spectrum of sounds.