UPFRONTBEATS

Tibi Dabo is the latest project from Barcelona born DJ and producer Max Guardans. Following on from last year’s La Dorada on Rebellion, he brings his enigmatic sonic exploration to Crosstown this May.

Of creating the EP, Tibi Dabo explains that they “were made in a somewhat isolated period for me. I feel like their sound and texture could be the result of that isolation. Like a kid looking out the window at night, daydreaming about being somewhere else”.

The EP opens up with the gentle yet thudding bass of Her Moon. The track is ten minutes of pure euphoria. Mesmerising cosmic synths travel towards the first breakdown where the track enters a darker phase before they weave their way back in as a 90s inspired piano topline joins proceedings. It’s All Behind takes the EP on a deeper trip with an emotive, soulful, vocal and shimmering melodies. Closing the EP, Nowhere Beach deploys a rapid beat with industrial hints and a rolling bassline, whilst keeping the cosmic feel of its predecessors. A warm synthline uplifts in the breakdown.

The alias of Max Guardans, Tibi Dabo is also the name of a mountain that overlooks Guardans’ hometown of Barcelona. Under this alias the young DJ and producer seeks to explore and experiment with a wide and varied sonic soundscape. His first EP, 2017’s Ende, was signed to Sasha’s highly acclaimed label, Last Night On Earth. Last year’s offering La Dorada was picked up by Damian Lazarus who signed it to his Rebellion imprint, with both EPs showcasing Guardans’ ability to create evocative music that shows a musical maturity beyond his years.

• FB: facebook.com/tibidabosound
• Twitter: twitter.com/tibidabosound
• Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/tibidabosound
• Beatport: beatport.com/artist/tibi-dabo