Best known for his hip-hop production with rappers like Assasi, Haquin’s latest work alongside guitarist Zaid Al-Nayazi takes a much more low key approach to sound design, leaning closer to near-beatless ambient soundscapes than the intricately arranged percussion of his hip-hop work. Ancients arrives as the duo’s second recent collaborative project, and follows up Zaid Al-Nayazi’s Behind These Eyes EP, which was produced entirely by Haquin. Across the length of Ancients, we hear Haquin and Al-Nayazi draw heavily on field recordings as a sonic backbone to the EP’s thematic exploration of “ancient nature and how their presence and wisdom should be treasured.”
The soft chirps of bird calls set the perfect opening note for ‘Forest Of Ancients,’ and alongside a reverb-soaked four note guitar arpeggio and soft, synthesised chord swells immediately conjure images of a serene woodland environment. Things take a bit of a more introspective turn on ‘Acorn’, where resonant bells meld with a subtle bass synthesiser that draws one in deeper to Ancient’s verdant world.
The closing tune, ‘As Above, So Below’, sees the first introduction of light rhythmic percussive elements into the mix, with the soft pitter-patter of shakers driving the track forwards to it’s euphoric conclusion.
Follow Haquin on Instagram, Facebook and SoundCloud.
Follow Zaid Al-Nayazi on Instagram and SoundCloud.
