QBLA is on a powerful mission to invade hip hop and transform its underground trajectory.
Southern California’s William Rosario has quite a few tricks in his audio arsenal. Having produced under the Asymmetrical Head moniker for several years by instilling an astute path of exp-electronic distortions, he’s (recently) unleashed the QBLA project which incorporates a more laid-back hip-hop approach. This can’t be an easy switch for any artist as they try to separate their musical identity, style and execution. QBLA seems to have no issue.
From erratic yet somehow uniform entanglements as Asymmetrical Head to a wide assortment of samples, instruments and downtempo foundations as QBLA, Architects + Heroes evolves into a multifaceted platform for musicians to expand their sonic missions. The album title immediately recalls Guns ‘N Roses’ most recognized commercial track of the late 80s, but this production is so far removed from anything remotely rock ‘n roll that it’s not even worth examining.
Broken shards of bass shimmy their way through crisp percussion and a minimal tone takes shapes throughout these short outings. Elements of early Deceptikon and Prefuse 73 are strewn throughout, however, QBLA emits his own particular funk especially evident on the 70s-inspired rhythmic tone and vocodered lyrical treatment of “Schmoove.” Reggae blasts and a low-frequency vocal oscillation are transmitted via “The Man With The Asteroid Belt” as “Rainbow In Brooklyn” flourishes in microscopic ambient layers tethered to chilled electrical constructs. “Merman” falls away into more guitar influenced soundtrack perspectives—laid back with a twangy flow and slow-motion delivery. A reversed loop is manipulated with perfection on the disjointedly creative “I Don’t Have A Running Crew” leaving QBLA on a powerful mission to invade hip hop and transform its underground trajectory. Closing up with an eerily contagious percussive curve on “Miranda Inst.” and Where The Girls Are Green and the Grass Is Pretty leaves the listener in anticipation for what’s next.
Where The Girls Are Green and the Grass Is Pretty is available on Architects + Heroes.
