July saw the launch of the Leap 96 project by ALRT and Sam Silver as they unveiled ‘Back It Up’, a single which set very high first impressions and laid down the foundation for what is to come for this duo. Now, just 1 month later they are proving that the first hit was not a fluke as they present us with ‘Again’ alongside Whiterosemoxie and Yona. The single marks the 2nd release from the self titled ‘Leap 96’ EP which is due out on October 18th via LA-based imprint TH3RD BRAIN Records. Driven by an energetic liquid drum and bass production, ‘Again’ showcases the intertwined talents of two outstanding singers, Yona and Whiterosemoxie.
Their contrasting tones, both male and female, build a unique energy and tension from the start, capturing the dynamics and complexities that play out in a relationship. The lyrics are fraught with emotion, delivered alongside ethereal melodies that culminate in a sizzling DnB drop. ‘Again’ takes the listener along with Leap 96 on a modern sonic journey that truly transcends genres.
Yona, the 18-year-old bilingual French-American singer-songwriter, brings a unique blend of pop with a hint of grunge, grime, guitars, and deep lyrics to the track. Her highly distinctive and intensely emotional voice brings a unique flair that perfectly complements the production.
The American rapper Whiterosemoxie shares a deeply personal connection with the song, stating, “When we recorded ‘Again’, I had just recently gone through a breakup, and constantly saw it rubbed in my face on social media. At the top of the year, I had found new love and wrote this song to express my cautionary attitude towards my new relationship. We were at the point where we could decide to be more than friends or hit the brakes. Knowing we both want more out of life than what we have now, it is very hard to imagine a successful relationship that also allows for us to achieve what we want. When we do this thing we both know we shouldn’t do, will you blame it all on me?”
Leap 96 is a collaborative project between Sam Silver and ALRT, drawing inspiration from the late 90s and early 2000s when Garage and Drum and Bass first began to appear on the rave scene. The music blends vocal-driven dance music for both uptempo and downtempo settings. The name Leap 96 was chosen to signify the middle year between Sam and ALRT’s birthdays, which was also a leap year.
The project’s sonic direction reflects their backgrounds, with ALRT coming from a prosperous old-school rave scene and Sam from the new-age garage, rap, and ethereal house scene. Their combined influences create a unique sound that blends garage, rap, dnb, and vocals with an indie pop sensibility.
Sam Silver and ALRT met at a studio in Hollywood, California, where ALRT co-founded with well-known artist/producer JOYRYDE. What started as a casual co-writing session turned into two months of co-production, yielding the four songs on the EP as well as many other works in progress.
Don’t skip the single and make sure to stay tuned for the full ‘Leap 96’ EP coming on October 18th!