Today, a truly epic thing occurred. We are fortuitous witnesses to a historic moment in contemporary electronic music. Today, Chris Gavino, the prodigious producer whom you all know as Manila Killa, released his long awaited, highly anticipated debut EP, which feels like it’s been a very long time coming considering how long it’s been since we first fell for his music magic (approximately half a decade, if you want specifics). His seven-song compendium, entitled 1993, includes previous lauded songs like ALL 2 U, featuring Sara Skinner, Run Away, and Wake Up Call, featuring Mansionair. Yes, 1993 is a talent studded affair involving a distinguished roster of guest musicians. After taking in a gloriously exultant, much affecting listen of the DJ and producer’s expertly crafted sonic journey, we can’t help but be delightedly surprised by a fresh cameo we never expected to see. Chris Gavino has recruited genre-bending Los Angeles duo outsideOUTSIDE for EP track Skin. We’ve been incredibly fond of these newcomers and their gritty stirring music, and we’re grateful for this heavenly union. They turn in angsty vocals on Manila Killa’s Skin, a dreamy atmospheric, dusky twinkling beauty whose chill electronica and melodious bass awakens a vast sense of wonder that seem to be deeply rooted within us. It’s as if we’re staring into a wide open night sky, watching a shooting star streak by. It’s moments like those that lead us to reflect inwards, having seen the sizable splendor of what’s outside. We’re quickly reminded of how inconsequential petty things are, and how precious we could be to one another, especially if we let each other into our well guarded hearts.
Skin is but one meticulously constructed, deeply moving beauty from 1993. Manila Killa’s EP opens up with an epic title track, a synth throbbing, retro-wave charged opus that feels part Chrome Sparks, part Odesza, all polished within the neon sheen of the 80s. Stream the track below. Don’t miss out on Manila Killa’s debut EP 1993 in full, here. It’s symbolic for the year in which he was born. 1993′s songs were inspired by the producer’s travels, the people he met along the way, and the emotions that he felt from those moments. A colossal tour to accompany his EP will kick off on April 26th in Washington, D.C. before making its way through North America. Manila Killa headlines the Warfield in San Francisco on May 3rd. A full itinerary and ticketing info can be found on his website, here.
