New Zealand’s Monika releases his new EP ‘Off World’

UK-born and now based in New Zealand, (Maxwell) Monika is known for his expressive drum and bass tracks on well-known labels like Spearhead Records, Shogun Audio, and Fokuz Recordings. He’s just announced the release of his latest project, the ‘Off World’ EP—a sci-fi-inspired journey through drum & bass, breakbeat, jungle, and ambient music.

‘Off World’ is a spiritual follow-up to ‘Yikes FM’ (which dropped in 2021), and it’s the second instalment in Monika’s ‘MonTape’ series. This series is all about showcasing his creations that step outside the usual 174 bpm, club-ready realm. With ‘Off World,’ Monika dives deep into a retro, sci-fi vibe, drawing direct inspiration from classic novels like Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ and Dan Simmons’ ‘Hyperion.’ The cover art and track titles aim to capture that mysterious feeling you get from one of those dusty old books. Musically, Monika has channelled artists like Om Unit, Overmono, John Carpenter, and Vangelis to create a cinematic, analog mood that’s still rooted in the drum-led world of club music.

The first taste of the EP dropped on August 23rd with the pre-release of the single ‘Phantom Signal.’ It’s the only track on the EP that sticks to Monika’s usual 174 bpm, setting the tone with its warbly, analog synths that flow throughout the whole project.

Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

• ‘Forward In Motion’ is a heavy jungle stepper that builds tension with swirling pads.

• The title track, ‘Off World,’ is an ambient journey through neon fog.

• ‘CyberPunk’ is a breakbeat banger that lurks in the shadows.

• ‘Red Alert’ is a playful Dilla-inspired track that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Monika writes: “This EP sorta emerged out of the mist for me. I’d been sitting on these tracks for a while, not really sure what to do with them until I realised there was a clear theme running through them. I’m such a sucker for an evocative sci-fi world so it’s no surprise it finds its way into my music. Looking back I can see how things like Scavenger’s Reign, The Thing, Hyperion and even Daft Punk have had a huge impact on the feeling of this EP”.

Check out our premiere of ‘Forward In Motion’ below. The ‘Off World’ EP will be available on all digital platforms and streaming sites from September 6th, 2024. You can grab a copy here!