Bassnectar - Into the Sun

Bassnectar
Into the Sun
2015

Bassnectar has never been one to follow a trend or doing something because it's popular. In going his own way he has created one of the largest followings in the electronic music community and is one of the most sought after DJ/Producers in the world. That's why Into the Sun taking the place of his annual mixtape should not come as to much of a surprise. Bassnectar himself has said "It was a mixtape but then it was like, fuck, if I just give it away as a mixtape, these songs will never be stream-able—they would have been trapped in the mix" (Entertainment Weekly). Quite the forward thinking position to take when other artists are pulling their music off streaming services. But that has always been Bassnectar, He wants people to hear his music because he loves music and anyway to get it to people is what He is going to do. That is the one thing that comes across the most on these 17 tracks, Bassnectar likes to make music that is fun, regardless of where that may take him musically. It may be spoken word or beat boxing or even breathing (ie See "Breathing (2015 Version)") but in the end it all works to make beautiful music.

Into the Sun is a mix of some old tracks remastered and remixed, but even those feel new and alive on this record. Where as a mixtape may have no through line this album connects in a very specific very real way. Each song works with the one before and the one after but not in a very specific blending type of way more in that these tracks are meant to go together because at the core that's what Bassnectar does. Anyone who listens to this record will find what everyone else has no for a very long time: Bassnectar is simply undeniable. His music is connection and party all at once and then none of it. If you've never heard Bassnectar let Into the Sun be your introduction, but be prepared to go on a deep dive of everything He has done.

9 out of 10