It’s astounding that New York producer and Incienso founder Anthony Naples churns out such a steady stream of music without ever forsaking quality. Whether its the hypnotic ambient-adjacent soundscapes of Chameleon, or the pulsating reggaeton-techno of Club Pez, it’s a testament not only to his unquestionable talent, but his distinct point of view as an artist. With Silas, the first single off his recently announced fifth studio album orbs, Naples continues his exploration into the realm of downtempo and ambient, treading its boundaries ever so slightly so as to push the form in unexpected directions.
On this six minute track, he takes inspiration from the glitchy electronics of trip-house, formulating a back and forth of static kicks and ping-ponging hi-hats, set against a gentle and poignant piano loop. Silas finds its pulse in its bass, with the chugging guitar bassline that Naples uses forming the track’s essential backbone. Silas plays with texture, but also to an extent form. That its final minute is a distinct pivot away from the meat of the track suggests a backwards approach, with what would be Silas’s prologue as its conclusion. What’s always been fascinating about Naples is his ability to hold your attention by making you forget about the act of listening to music entirely. His ability to create soundscapes as a mode of escapism is unparalleled, and Silas is no exception. Over its runtime, you can’t help but melt into its crevices and folds, giving in to the journey all the way to its bare, hydraulic end.
Listen to Silas below.
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