Who? Milyoo.

Instrumental music begs categorization.  Casual listeners demand something to cling on to so as to bring music’s elusive artists to the fore.  To make music intelligible in spite of its enigmatic origins.

Like many emerging beat makers, Milyoo’s identity is largely unknown, leaving his music prey to critics eager to tag it as part of this scene or that.

The guys at FACT are sure Milyoo’s bedroom-beats are the kin of motor city’s greatest. But this track has less to do with Dilla than it does with much of the UK Bass music they regularly report on.  Deep sub bass tones frame the bottom of the mix.  A low-strung, quivering note suggests something cavernous.  But hailing from Kentucky, Milyoo’s drums are pure Americana.  They split the difference between hip-hop and prog rock.

Somehow though, the same skittering bongo patterns that drive Funky find there way into the mix without imposing their usual burst of energy on the mellow track. “Damage” is chill without being bogged down by the all of the usual signifiers.  It’s nostalgic without predicating its success on swashes of fuzz.  Laid back without being beach-y.  Put simply, its smooth.  Milyoo sounds like he’s chopping up a YES song instead of mining typical Motown stomping grounds.  Encouraging stuff, someone to watch.

Download the track here.