Moonstarr

Moonstarr creates a sonic environment that feels both mechanical and deeply human. It is the sound of a city breathing, characterized by 'broken' rhythms that skip and stutter in ways that feel more like a live drummer than a programmed loop. The textures are warm and slightly worn, like a well-loved record found in a basement crate, yet the compositions are forward-thinking and sophisticated.

What truly sets him apart is the rhythmic tension. While many electronic artists lean into a steady four-on-the-floor beat, Moonstarr embraces the syncopation of jazz and the grit of boom-bap hip-hop. He treats the sampler as a lead instrument, chopping up brass, keys, and basslines into a mosaic that feels urgent and restless. It is music that demands your attention but rewards you with a deep, hypnotic groove.

Start with the album 'Dupont' to hear the definitive blueprint of the Canadian broken beat sound. It perfectly captures that turn-of-the-millennium fusion of jazz-house and abstract hip-hop. If you prefer something more stripped back and focused on the craft of the beat itself, 'Instrumentals Forever' offers a pure look at his production prowess.