Siberian Dancehall Incident is the auditory creation of Robert McLaren, a producer and composer situated in Kelowna, Canada. Beyond being merely a musical endeavor, it is an auditory journey that acts as a tribute to ‘90s electronica, taking cues from groundbreaking artists such as Autechre, Aphex Twin, and Boards of Canada. Siberian Dancehall Incident creates auditory landscapes that take listeners into an infinite, subconscious dimension, akin to the Siberian tundra, where the tangible realm fades into surreal abstraction.
Siberian Dancehall Incident represents a careful harmony between form and improvisation, skill and unrefined feeling. With this project, McLaren merges complex electronic sounds with a profound sense of ambiance, creating pieces that are both captivating and mysterious. Every track resembles a cinematic vignette, unfolding in layers that disclose new aspects with every listen.
Released on February 14th, 2025, “Mechanus (Remix)” by Siberian Dancehall Incident is a complex and engaging reinterpretation of an instrumental garage prog-rock piece initially composed by Brian Looney and performed by the band High Horse BC, featuring Robert McLaren on bass in the past. This remix functions as an intriguing breakdown and reimagining, showcasing McLaren’s profound inspirations in 90s electronica. The track goes beyond merely updating the original piece; it reinvents it into a completely fresh auditory experience that merges chaos with order, structure with abstraction. Siberian Dancehall Incident showcases a careful focus on sonic intricacies, persistently molding and remolding the soundscape until it reaches its most authentic state.
“Mechanus (Remix)” begins with an arresting but fleeting beat, which immediately commands attention before dissolving into a vast, atmospheric expanse. This brief, forceful opening is abruptly interrupted by eerie, almost otherworldly voices, setting the tone for a composition that is as unsettling as it is hypnotic. Unlike conventional electronic music that builds gradually, Siberian Dancehall Incident approach is cinematic, throwing the listener into an immediate disorientation before slowly revealing the full scope of the track. The opening passage is steeped in haunting reverberations and ghostly vocal fragments, creating an almost spectral presence within the mix. These initial moments serve as a portal into a deep and immersive soundscape, evoking the sensation of being transported to an isolated and dreamlike world.
As the track progresses, a thumping bassline starts to rise from the shadows, its vibrations offering stability within the swirling, abstract sounds. The percussion, instead of serving as a strict rhythmic base, is flexible and lively, fluctuating between natural and electronic components. This combination of live instruments and synthetic sound creation showcases the project’s distinct artistic perspective, effortlessly merging progressive rock elements with ambient electronic music. The track’s rhythmic intricacy is reminiscent of certain bands, yet Siberian Dancehall Incident reshapes these inspirations via a uniquely electronic perspective, guaranteeing that the remix possesses a completely original character.
The instrumentation is intricate and textured, with every sonic component carefully arranged to elevate the track’s changing mood. Glistening synth arpeggios flow in and out of the piece, generating a sensation of motion that is both smooth and surprising. The bass notes are profound and echoing, providing depth and power to the composition’s framework. Each percussive strike, every synthesizer rise, and all haunting vocal effects are meticulously placed within the mix, enhancing a sense of immersion overall. What makes “Mechanus (Remix)” particularly compelling is the sense that no single element dominates the soundscape; rather, each component coexists in perfect equilibrium, allowing the listener to engage with the composition on multiple levels.
Vocals are employed in an unusual way, serving less as a typical melodic or lyrical component and more as a textural layer. The voices in “Mechanus (Remix)” are eerie and distant, residing in the background like haunting whispers of an overlooked message. These vocal snippets never form into clear words but instead function as another instrument, enhancing the track’s enigmatic and ethereal character. This method is a defining characteristic of the sound of Siberian Dancehall Incident, enabling the piece to maintain a chilling, nearly ghostly quality for its entirety. The interaction of these vocals with the accompanying synth textures and rhythmic patterns forms a soundscape that feels simultaneously alive and alien.
One of the most intriguing features of “Mechanus (Remix)” is its structural development. The track exhibits a circular pattern, gaining energy through mesmerizing rhythmic beats, only to revert to the unsettling, eerie sounds presented at the start. This method evokes a feeling of inevitability, as if the track is caught in an endless cycle, constantly swinging between order and chaos. Even with its driving rhythm, the song never completely establishes a predictable groove, preserving an ongoing feeling of tension and unease. This characteristic renders the remix a profoundly captivating and engrossing listening experience, offering fresh auditory discoveries with every play.
From a production perspective, “Mechanus (Remix)” exemplifies excellence in sound design and spatial awareness. Every sonic component is meticulously crafted to have its own unique space in the mix, guaranteeing that no texture dominates the others. The song’s production quality makes each sound feel as if it is coming from a different dimension. The attention to detail by Siberian Dancehall Incident is clear, as each frequency is carefully balanced to make certain that even the most chaotic instances stay cohesive and purposeful. The result is a track that is both sonically intricate and deeply atmospheric, a testament to McLaren’s skill as both a composer and a producer.
In the end, “Mechanus (Remix)” is a mesmerizing journey through sound, a piece that exists between order and chaos, structure and abstraction. It pays homage to its progressive rock roots while reimagining them through an electronica lens, making it both a tribute and an evolution. Siberian Dancehall Incident has crafted a remix that stands as a distinct and immersive experience in its own right, a sonic exploration that demands to be heard.
For more information about Siberian Dancehall Incident, click on the icons below.
Listen to “Mechanus (Remix)” by Siberian Dancehall Incident and many more in our Electronic / SynthPop / Experimental playlist.
