Following the release of three incredible singles, rising producer ALIGN just released his debut EP Intertwine in its entirety.
If you frequent the River Beats blog, chances are you’ve seen ALIGN pop up a few times over the past year – and for good reason. ALIGN, real name James Fisher, has released track after dazzling track, cultivating his ambient-electronic sound into something truly special. Today, the Chicago-based producer delivers his stunning debut EP, Intertwine, in full.
Though warm textures and crisp percussion are like clockwork on any ALIGN track, Fisher’s production continues to blossom on Intertwine. The five-track release kicks off with “Embrace“, the EP’s final single. Captivating riffs flow beneath a fascinating quote lifted from an early LSD experiment that sets the stage for the EP’s theme. Backing up the introspective mood of the EP, Fisher states:
“When we finally started to pull out of the winter and darker times, I felt like I had found the direction I needed to go. Overall, ‘Intertwine’ holds its name because the more I think about things, the more I realize they’re all connected, and well, intertwined. This EP generally represents a range of emotions that we go through as humans, and how they’re all connected to each other in one way or another. The tracks on ‘Intertwine’ are not without their flaws, and none are perfect, but neither are we; I look at these minor pieces as things to embrace.”
– ALIGN
Intertwine also includes one of our recent downtempo favorites, “Follow Me.” The track’s instantly memorable vocals and euphoric atmospheres serve as a solid reflection point in the middle of the EP. “Thought Patterns,” however, may take the top spot as the EP’s standout track. The track features some of Fisher’s most vibrant production yet. Lush synths and fluttering arpeggiators drive a massive wave of sound, making for an unmatched moment of intensity and beauty.
The EP is another bright mark for ALIGN, whose early 2019 collaborations “Notions” with Inzo & Pauline Herr and “Play It Cool” with Sarah De Warren kicked off the year on a high note. ALIGN will end his summer at North Coast Music Festival alongside Bassnectar, Big Wild, fellow Chicago producer Inzo, and more. The full lineup and additional information are available here.
Check out ALIGN’s debut EP Intertwine below and let us know what you think!
Featured photo by Zack Davis courtesy of artist
Connect with ALIGN: Facebook | Soundcloud | Spotify | Instagram | Twitter