Rockwell remains dedicated to pushing both himself and drum & bass into the future. Today, the London-based producer unveils his highly anticipated second album ‘Low Art’ on Obsolete Medium. Inspired by the rawness and anything-goes attitude of the new wave American hardcore punk bands, this 8-track LP including recent singles ‘Peak’ featuring Novelist and ‘Estranged’ featuring La Meduza marks a turning point for Rockwell’s production, bringing an organic sound and rugged appeal in keeping with his hardcore punk heritage.
Shining a light on a technical focus that has shifted from complex beat arrangements to mind-boggling basslines built for dancefloors, ‘Low Art’ also reveals Rockwell’s first forays into hardware, experimenting with an array of guitar pedals to add distortion and reverb. His first LP since the release of his critically acclaimed 2015 debut album ‘Obsolete Medium,’ alongside other previous singles ‘Comfy,’ ‘Recognise,’ and ‘Gramma’ the album includes an unreleased single with the rising new name Settle Down.
Written over the past couple of years following his (accidentally) aptly titled February 2020 EP ‘Isolation Ritual,’ the pandemic allowed him to step away from drum & bass, disconnecting himself from the genre for a year to delve back into his love of guitar music and the new wave of American hardcore punk – bands like Gulch, Cult Leader, and Jesus Piece, and troubadours such as Emma Ruth Rundle and Chelsea Wolfe. A passionate and engaged artist often leaving subtle clues in his music to share his opinion and frustrations at the status quo, this latest album is no different – with the title being a tongue-in-cheek reference to the disparity of “perceived” value, support, and funding for different types of art/culture in the UK.