Melbourne-based producer Rita Bass wraps up her debut EP ‘Reimagining’ on Night Shop Records with ‘Leah’ — a dark, industrial plunge into experimental bass that stands as the EP’s most club-focused and unpredictable cut. While the rest of ‘Reimagining’ explores ethereal soundscapes and uplifting harmonies, ‘Leah’ delves into shadowier territory, driven by a restless, shape-shifting bassline.
From spaced-out wubs to frantic LFO jumps and cavernous techno pulses, the low-end drives ‘Leah’ with the essence of disorienting and hypnotic tension. Heavy-duty snares and industrial breaks grind against the bass, forming a relentless rhythm perfect for sweat-soaked dancefloors.
Despite its dark tone, the track’s origins are unexpectedly tender. Inspired by duduk melodies and the Armenian Hijaz scale, Rita recorded the vocals straight to her phone, layering harmonies outdoors in the dead of Melbourne winter. Wind and ambient noise bled into the takes, adding a raw, eerie atmosphere. Rita then wove granulated whispers through the mix, creating a haunting, ghostly effect that lingers long after the beat fades.
Aptly named after her grandmother, ‘Leah’ is a haunting secret weapon that completes Reimagining’s journey through renewal and reinvention… perhaps a reminder that even in transformation, echoes of the past remain.
Rita Bass – ‘Reimagining’ EP drops May 22nd on Night Shop Records. Centering free self-expression, variation and creativity, the new Melbourne-based label and party by Rakhi seeks to platform BIPOC, queer, femme & GNC local artists.
