“BRASSIVE ATTACK” IS MANIC FOCUS’ FIRST LATIN-INFUSED PRODUCTION, AND THE FOURTH SINGLE TO DROP FROM HIS FORTHCOMING NEVER NOT BLUE LP
“This is a fun, upbeat party tune with massive horns from Balkan Bump and energetic Spanish lyrics from Chika Di.” - Manic Focus
Denver-based producer Manic Focus is evolving in real time. Similar to his skillset as a magician, he pushes boundaries of what’s possible in his music with a production process akin to sleight-of-hand: he executes awe-inspiring sonic acts with an ever-developing, genre-defying sound.
Manic Focus’ unique style - defined by a hybrid of electronic, funk, soul, and hip-hop - has helped the producer cultivate a fervent fanbase captivated by his immersive studio trickery, and led him to performances at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Hulaween, North Coast Music Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Camp Bisco, Wakaan Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, and multiple opening slots at Red Rocks in support of Zhu, Emancipator, Pretty Lights, and more.
Now, Manic Focus is revving up toward his 7th studio album, Never Not Blue, a new full-length project that sees the producer showcasing his vast growth as an multi-genre artist, including songs with the blues-infected electronic style of his earlier work as well as a wide range of modern bass music influences. Having consistently evolved over the past decade, fleshing out his sound to incorporate new approaches to genre, songwriting, and composition, Manic Focus’ new album is an amalgamation of the various styles and sounds he’s explored over the years. In many ways, Never Not Blue is a career retrospective - a look back at where Manic Focus began, and just how far he’s come.
Listeners got their first taste of Never Not Blue with the album’s lead single, “You Do You,” an epic bass-infused cut that introduced this new Manic Focus era in explosive fashion. Next was “Over The Sun,” a heavy, emotional bass track, and “Blamma,” a rowdy and immersive dubstep experience.
Now, Manic Focus releases “Brassive Attack,” a hip-hop and electronic-infused latin-pop track with producer/trumpeter Balkan Bump (who rose to prominence after working with Gramatik and Talib Kweli) and Colombian singer Chika Di. “Brassive Attack” is Manic Focus’ first collaboration with Chika Di, and second collaboration with Balkan Bump, following the producer’s remix of Bump and CloZee’s track “Varshaver.”
“Brassive Attack” kicks off with Balkan Bump’s trumpet melody shrouded in lo-fi effect manipulation. The track then builds, slowly gaining clarity as Chika Di starts singing in a buttery flow before dropping into blazing dubstep synth lines and a hard-hitting hip-hop inflected beat. The rest of the track’s composition is filled to the brim with Bump’s cathartic horn playing combined with dubstep bass wubs and groovy, dance-fueled drum patterns.
Despite it being Manic Focus’ first exploration into Latin music, “Brassive Attack” displays the producer’s natural sonic chemistry with Balkan Bump and Chika Di. The track is an upbeat party tune with blazing trumpet lines and infectious vocals over a reggaetón-inspired instrumental - a combination that once again pushes Manic Focus’ sound into new directions.
Fans can check out Manic Focus on tour, where he’ll be playing “Brassive Attack” and other Never Not Blue tracks at stops such as Red Rocks and Summer Camp Music Festival.
Manic Focus tour dates
3/3/23: Miramar Theatre w/ Break Science and Blockhead | Milwaukee, WI
3/4/23: Miramar Theatre w/ Michal Menert | Milwaukee, WI
3/30/23: Headliner Music Hall w/ Jaenga | Louisville, KY
3/31/23: BLVD Nights | Kansas City, MO
4/8/23: Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Vincent Antone | Morrison, CO
4/14/23: El Club w/ Boogie T | Detroit, MI
4/15/23: Asheville Music Hall w/ Meduso | Asheville, NC
4/21/23: The Get Down w/ Kaptain | Portland, OR
4/22/23: Public Works w/ Kaipora & Kaptain | San Francisco, CA
4/28/23: Fine Line | Minneapolis, MN
4/29/23: Elevation | Grand Rapids, MI
5/7/23: Sol Fest | New Brockton, AL
5/13/23: Black Box | Charlotte, NC
5/20/23: Believe | Atlanta, GA
5/25 - 5/28/23: Summer Camp Music Festival | Chillicothe, AL