Manic Focus • Minds Rising

Manic Focus been quietly hustling his impressively loud music for years now, and the recognition is starting to fly in. The transition from local to global has been a patient one, but we’re at that point now. For those who don’t know, Manic Focus’s clout in the electronic community keeps gaining momentum, and with this release of his new project Minds Rising, he’s about to cement his status as one of best in the game, Chicago or otherwise.

Manic Focus has built a gravity defying project with Minds Rising. A lot of electronic music gets stuck on genre, losing the forest through the trees by focusing on surface-level, superficial identifiers of the movement. Manic Focus doesn't have any time for that, transcending these common pitfalls with Minds Rising, creating an incredible electronic album that can’t be put in a box or easily defined. Most importantly, it moves, with an effortless dance-ability that can goes heavy, bounces lightly, and maneuvers everywhere in the range between. Fans of dubstep, glitch, etc, will immediately find something to like, but Manic Focus has made a project that can be listened to by anybody, and Minds Rising’s undeniable groove is the reason why. With elements of funk, soul, hip-hop and of course, electronic music, Minds Rising appeal goes deep. 

Minds Rising has some fantastic local features on it, with vocals from The Rapper Chicks, Psalm One, ProbCause and Carlile (FKA Emily Nichols), as well as a feature with Chicago DJ and producer, Statik. And for electronic fans, appearances from names like Russ Liquid and Exmag will immediately grab your eyes and ears. But most impressive is Manic Focus, who has put out a wild, cohesive, and genre bending project with something for everybody. Safe to say it won't be the last time he does it. Listen to Minds Rising, move around, feel good, repeat.