Is it too early to proclaim best LP of the year onto the head of Haywyre? Maybe, especially given the possibility that his eight track Two Fold Part I project will be extended by a Part II in the future. The first ever Monstercat LP was not only ingeniously methodical in it’s creation, but it’s marketed unraveling showed prowess over most else I have seen, except for Skrillex’s delivery of Recess probably, but hey, you can’t win everything. One thing that is for sure, though, is the fact that the two talents in this paragraph very much deserve to be regarded on similar levels.
You might think that statement rash and far-reaching, but once you listen to what Two Fold Part I has to offer, your mind will sway, even if it’s slightly, towards agreeing with the claim. The level of musicality in the LP is unparalleled; Martin extended himself to the furthest reaches of existence and back as a producer, and more importantly as a musician, to cultivate something that is undeniably extraordinary. His creative talents have allowed the creation of eight pieces of music that all coalesce into something bigger than the actual LP itself. It’s a perspicaciously philosophical journey manifested as a powerfully moving audio experience. Get yourself ready, because we’re now commencing. 
Why are preludes, or in this case “Prologue (Part One),” so damn vitalizing? Especially when it’s pulled off masterfully well by Martin’s wicked phalanges on some clean keys. You just want to repeat the two minutes and ten seconds over and over until there’s nothing left, but that’s the thing; you must move on with the pilgrimage.
You bet the end of that introduction led right into the “The Schism” for an undisturbed transition into a different stage of experience. The new assortment of layered instruments, still with piano, breathe you into the obviously synthetic configuration of electronic fragments. These sonic pieces take you to a point of anticipation that is satisfied in the finest way possible. A juicy web of electro-neuro goodness enlightens the listener with glitched out bass. The continuous rhythmic line leads a path of excitation and stillness that pulls the soul along until the end of the near five and a half minute segment.
The ambient introduction of “Dichotomy (Soft Mix)” soothes the muscles in your body with a soft saxophone embedded into a smooth 3D soundscape. After the alto and its cohorts die out, they are replenished by a wave of samples that burst a jungly contrivance onto the scene. It’s a spasm; that short-lived phrase goes back into mythological territory for a bit, only to return to the kinetic polyphony. From there, a boisterous bass builds a musical structure with some catchy arab-esque runs, but the mix ends by turning down the lights on things in a preemptive segue into “Sculpted.”
Despite the song’s title, the composition induces movement; it’s also moving in the figurative and literal sense. An inspiring techy vocal stirs the mind before a fluctuant bassline grasps your attention. The introspective musical deluge originally grabbed my attention back when it was previewed last year and I was glad to see it released on this project. Although I wouldn’t say it’s my personal favorite, I think this one will be a lot of other peoples top choice. There’s no doubt it’s a gem.
We’re onto the last half now that we have arrived at “Doppelgänger,” a deceptively enticing single that pulls you in with it’s manipulation of low frequencies, but leaves you off in a heavenly downtempo atmosphere. Transforming out of the glitch madness naturally into the synthesizer solo was made easy Haywyre, whose melodic expression mutates through a couple sounds before the concluding phrase is reached. Given the title, maybe we will see a counterpart to this single in the future!
Now we get to deal with the hard-to-define concept of “Time” with Haywyre, as well as CoMa who helped the Minneapolis producer in bringing this song to life. “Time” is another one I think will be a fan-favorite, given it’s deep sensations and housey qualities. A few times before has Martin delved into producing stuff like this that adheres more towards a strict interpretation of the term dance music, with the results being magnificent. This particular one still implores a breakbeat drum pattern at times, which I actually think propagates the dance groove even more than a four-to-the-floor would have. “Time” is classy and tasteful, but after listening I still can’t pinpoint the fleeting concept. We’ll just have to live with a little mystery I guess.
Arriving next is one of my personal favorites from Two Fold Part I, “Permutate.” The mixture of house and Haywyre is further blended with the assistance of Zeros to permit a bounce-tastic electro bass concoction. There is some amazingly unique sounds in this production; that could be said for basically all of the tracks, but there is something about these one’s that are just so attractive. Everything is so wet and juicy that you start to salivate just listening. However, you can save the feasting til after this adventure is over, because we only have one song to go.
The final frontier of the LP has been reached. Whisking you away into the sunset, for now, is “Voice of Reason,” another collaboration, this time with the Danish producer Galimatias. Sensual beats dissipate through the air creating a soulfully liberating environment around anybody whose ears this falls into. Certainly the most chill single of the LP, it gently carries you out of a mindful odyssey and plants you on your feet as a neoteric being.
Even though this journey is at the end of its road, there are more that need to be taken. Nobody can tell you not to relive the wonders that Two Fold Part I exhibit, either, so repeating the endeavor is entirely on you. Haywyre has made a statement, loud and clear, that he is somebody who will take innovation by it’s devilish horns and wrestle it into submission. He has distinguished himself as more than just a producer; he’s a storytelling savant with musical abilities whose umbra blankets the dance music scene almost entirely. Add his concept LP to your collection via Monstercat, as well as his numerous other works, many of which can be downloaded freely on his website. It’s plain and simple, Haywyre wins.
