MP3: Opio x Free The Robots – “Fuego” [Mono/Poly Remix]

Following Their Debut Album, Sempervirens, the Hieroglyphics Emcee and L.A. Beat Scene Vet Share a Remix, Premiered by Mass Appeal

10.09.2015

Critical Praise:

“Free the Robots…taps a dark, psychedelic vein while boasting highly technical hip-hop production prowess.” – SPIN

“Opio’s strengths are found in his flow and wordplay. His cadence is married to each rhythm.” – Okayplayer

“Opio’s ability to utilize intricate wordplay and vivid imagery as a means of putting him ahead of the pack.” – HipHopDX

“Somewhere between the neck-snapping, gritty hip-hop of the FatBeats era, the fuzzy, distorted psychedelia of the 60s & 70s, cool jazz, and the woozy beats scene of the last decade lies the music of Free the Robots.” – Okayfuture

The Remix:

Brainfeeder producer and Low End Theory mainstay Mono/Poly has remixed Souls of Mischief rapper Opio‘s “Fuego,” transforming the bouncey, bass-driven deep cut into an infectious cyber-funk stepper. Hitting an other-worldly groove that’s built to blast out of Cali’s crunchiest car stereos, the remix, premiered by Mass Appeal, follows last month’s release of Opio and L.A beat scene vet Free the Robots‘ Sempervirens album.

Recorded predominately in a redwood forest grove called Cazadero, Sempervirens  is a product of Opio and Free the Robots’ time spent along there verdant Northern California coastline. The duo began experimenting together last year, merging their respective skills on production hardware as seen in their Delicious Vinyl TV session. In March, Opio and FTR released The Subconscious Mind EP, before sharing their aforementioned full-length debut via Clear Label Records last month.

“This time spent away from the chaotic concrete jungles we both live in recharged our batteries and set the stage to create art off of the renewed energy from our inspiring journey,” Opio explained to Ambrosia for Heads. Free the Robots added that “I feel like we are both going through a re-birth, and with that, we both have been able to create with no expectations; just open minds.” This fresh outlook is apparent on tracks such as “808 State of Mind,” where fat synth bass lines meld with shimmering hi-hats and tight 808 snares. On others like “Loki Drop,” Opio spits over layered percussion and spastic yet rhythmic vocal samples.

Opio x Free the Robots – “Fuego” (Mono/Poly Remix): https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/fuego-monopoly-remix/

Check out the Mass Appeal premiere: http://massappeal.com/premiere-opio-x-free-the-robots-fuego-monopoly-remix/

Stream Sempervirens on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6jbDaXBKk1Rk8oybchAaju

Stream Sempervirens on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/sets/sempervirens-1

Purchase the album on iTunes: http://apple.co/1izlxO5

Please contact Michelle or Rory for more info.

The Background:

Upon being introduced to Free The Robots’ music while on tour for Souls of Mischief, Opio gravitated towards FTR’s bass-heavy vibe and added his catalogue to his daily music rotation. While reading up on FTR, Opio learned that he not only is he a beatmaker but a food maker as well and when the tour roared through his hometown of Santa Ana, Opio made a point of having dinner at FTR’s restaurant, the Crosby. While at dinner with his tour-mates, producer and composer Adrian Younge and Souls of Mischief-mate, Phesto, Opio and Free The Robots got a chance to know one another. As is turns out, a lot of Free The Robots’ hip hop background had been greatly influenced by Opio, and Opio, wanting to take his solo work in a more futuristic progressive direction, found inspiration in FTR. They immediately clicked. By the end of dinner, they had plans to make a record and here it is, The Subconscious Mind EP.

Links:

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“Fuego” (Mono/Poly Remix): https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/fuego-monopoly-remix/

Sempervirens: https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/sets/sempervirens-1

“Psych Ward”: https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/psych-ward/

“Stoned Temple Pilot”: https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/stoned-temple-pilot

“Point of View”: https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/point-of-view

“Let the Bass Go”: https://soundcloud.com/opiohierosom/let-the-bass-go/

“Blow Sum Smoke”: https://soundcloud.com/free-the-robots/opio-x-free-the-robots-blown-sum-smoke

Bio, pictures and streams available here: http://www.audibletreats.com/opio-x-free-robots/