Cut of the Day: "NASA Boyz," Karmelloz

A nostalgic ghost hidden somewhere deep within your motherboard whispers, “Sometimes.” A pounding techno rhythm kicks in, a CPU fan on overdrive whining throughout. 

This is the introduction of Eugene-based producer Karmelloz’s “NASA Boyz.” It’s the second track on Source Localization, his debut on Vancouver’s 1080p net label. With a collaboration between Portland’s Magic Fades and Soul Ipsum due next month, 1080p is turning toward Oregon for late-night shades of club music. 

When pitch-lowered, proto-Germanic vocals blast into the track, peppered with a "Heyyy!" lifted from a Jock Jams gym, an image of the NASA Boyz—an elite group of nerdy goth teenagers in a spaceflight magnet workout program—suddenly has its theme song. Compared to the remainder of Source Localization's forays into hip-hop, ambient and footwork, "NASA Boyz" bangs, pushes and raves harder.

Like the rest of the album, the track still sounds commissioned by a particularly turned-on buyer from Walmart's new age section: High on production values, low on pretense. The softest of soft synths place the whole of Source Localization as much in the forests of the Cascades as in the jungle of the Internet. The NASA Boyz are as at home in the goth club as they are at home, hi-fi headphones on, pumping weights to their eponymous song.

WWeek 2015