EP REVIEW: corrupted_idol by CONTRASTS - Behind the Remix

[corrupted idol]' Artwork by James Hardiman, Original 'False Idol' Artwork by Ben Radford

As a budding writer who hasn’t been public for very long, it always feels special when a band approaches me wanting to hear my take on their work. Contrasts have been very supportive of the coverage I produce, so it’s always appreciated when they drop in my DMs with another banger. My first impression of False Idol was that they were “they’re eager, excited and have a lot to say.”. So when I heard they were dropping a DnB remix, I was ecstatic to review. With this in mind, let's hear what Contrasts have to say on their remixed EP: corrupted_idol. 

Electronic influences have always been an important aspect to Contrasts, says Kurt Roberts, co-producer, mixer, and resident guitarist. Naturally the band felt a club worthy remix was well within their wheelhouse having taken inspiration from artists like Pendulum and The Prodigy. While these synthy tones weren’t at the forefront of the original, the remix has reinvented the songs without stripping its identity. Shifting the mood from hauntingly “grief-stricken” to a punchy acid trip. “The Space Between” pushed the chuggy guitar riffs forward in the former, creating a heavier listening experience. Removing these allowed a more ambient, ghostly tone to take the centre stage. 

Approaching production as an in-house side project gave the piece a lightheartedness that comes from creating a piece with no expectations. The carefree attitude allowed Mikey Thomas, (co-producer / guitarist) and Kurt to “fine tune” in a way that “led to some really interesting creative choices that couldn’t have happened in the way we traditionally write and record”. There is a lot to be said for projects that have the freedom to fail being the most well received. Authenticity is a component that can’t be faked easily. Taking into account their comparator was producer Tom Williams over at Long Wave Studios, whose original mix of the vocals in “False Idol” remained in the remix version. 

A detail that Contrasts were particularly excited about was the “driving energy that the drum and bass creates”. “False Idol” has a completely revamped intro. Instead of being hooked in by a tight snare drum, the listener is greeted by a darkwave synthy trap beat. Even the intense vocals take a back seat in the mix, as is seen in most DnB. The focus may have changed the essence of the original, but it fits. 

It feels like a disservice to compare both EPs. Despite having the same bones to work with, the finished bodies of work juxtapose each other. A listener can appreciate the skilled rhythm and emotive vocals of the original while enjoying the quickened tempo and industrial synthesisers. “corrupted_idol” is out this Friday on the 3rd of July and can be pre-saved here. Kurt was also kind enough to hint at an upcoming project that will release a single by the end of 2026. Make sure to check out their upcoming gigs here too!