Zavala doesn’t get enough props, which is puzzling since he’s never made a wack beat in his life. He’s produced full lengths with Onry Ozzborn as Dark Time Sunshine. He’s remixed Aesop Rock. He’s rocked Low End Theory. He runs Fieldwerk Records with fellow Chicago producer Crushcon7. And his sound lends itself to backpackers and coffee shop chicks: fuzzy break beats coupled with synths pulled from the abyss. His signature sound is sinister drama clashing with gorgeous melodies — think ’94 Buckwild meets Four Tet.
While he’s working on his first full length for Fake Four Records, his newest Soundcloud goodie is hopefully a preview of things to come. “Untitled” is built off samples yanked from a Bollywood VHS. “Untitled” is more EDM-friendly than his normal headnodders, suited best for a collaboration with Child Actor rather than Childish Gambino. His trademark synthesizers, never pulled from factory presets, take a backseat to minimal house riddims. Like the work of fellow Chitown producer and frequent tourmate Meaty Ogre, Zavala’s “Untitled” can impress the cipher hounds looking for a breather and the H&M in-store playlist curators hoping to sling a few more ’90s tees.
