Bas and The Hics Break the Confines of Genre on ‘Melanchronica’

In the world of music, it’s quite remarkable when an artist, often a solo act, can effortlessly challenge traditional genre boundaries without appearing imitative or unoriginal. Noteworthy examples of this genre-blending approach, which successfully transcends and blurs the lines between different musical styles, are frequently produced by collaborations across genres.

Flume and Vince Staples have perfectly blended their electronic-trap style on Vince’s album “Big Fish Theory” and songs like “Smoke and Retribution.” Additionally, the Australian DJ collaborated with JPEGMAFIA last month for the project “We Live In A Society,” which combines electronic and hip-hop music. Similarly, The Alchemist has enriched the jazz-rap genre through his work with Larry June.

Bas, a hip-hop artist from Dreamville, has released an unprecedented album that defies traditional genre boundaries. In partnership with the English electronic-jazz duo The Hics, he brought to life an extensive collaborative project titled “Melanchronica“.

Speaking as a fan, I find that Melanchronica resonates deeply with our contemporary human experience, capturing the yearning for authentic emotional bonding in a world overloaded with stimuli, advanced technology, apathy, and growing individualism. This album draws from the reflections we have when we disconnect, truly examining ourselves and our environment. A wide array of emotions is skillfully portrayed. My hope is that listeners will immerse themselves in this journey, experiencing each emotion along the way.

The Hics’ lead vocalist, Roxane Barker, expressed that the album symbolizes a persistent sadness and heightened understanding of life’s dualities. Reflecting on it now, she understands that this album was her journey towards self-expression without fear of criticism – both from herself and others. Therefore, she hopes the album encourages others to find their voice in art, dance, or any means that leads them closer to their authentic selves.

Sam Paul Evans from The Hics comments: “To me, Melanchronica signifies a prolonged feeling of sadness or ‘chronic melancholy.’ It could also symbolize a fresh musical genre. As we reached the 10-track milestone, I was seeking a term to encapsulate the overall mood of the project. I was captivated by how the idea of experiencing chronic melancholy and creating Melanchronica succinctly captured that perspective. For those who’ve been part of the journey detailing Bas and The Hics‘ collaboration, this project serves as a powerful demonstration of the true potential of teamwork, dialogue, and camaraderie.

https://open.spotify.com/watch?v=album/3O8PFNPk6h4MIvV6nxPT9khttps://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/melanchronica/1805882463

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2025-06-20 02:25