Soft Realms by 9 Theory & Torii Wolf
9 Theory and Torii Wolf have teamed up for one of the most beautiful releases we’ve heard in some time. ‘Soft Realms’ blends their styles into something so much more, forming a trippy Electronica hybrid that gets flipped deeper into the Electronic realm with a stacked roster of remixes. From start to finish, this release checks all the boxes and is a trippy journey through these artists' creative collaboration, and is dropping April 4th on Gravitas Recordings.
“I tell people that this EP sounds like if Radiohead and Portishead had an indie baby in 2025. I think that sums this up pretty good, and if there is anything else I would want people to know about this album is that I couldn't be more proud and excited about it, and we had the best time making it.” - 9 Theory
9 Theory & Torii Wolf have been friends for a long time before making this, and have always wanted to collaborate on a project like this for years. Both artists have a very refreshing approach to music making, and have collaborated with an extremely wide variety and range of artists and styles. While they mention that Radiohead was their biggest inspiration for this collaborative release, the music turned out to be its own thing that sounds like fans would expect from 9 Theory and Torii Wolf.
‘Evaporate’ is a beautiful moody song that opens the EP in epic fashion, this is a favorite from the artists and truly captures the idea they were trying to create with their collaborative release. ‘It Could Happen’ fills the air with lush piano and guitar chords, keeping a deep downtempo groove and focusing on Torii’s beautiful vocals. ‘Static’ keeps the focus on Torii’s enchanting vocals, bringing a surreal contrast of deep dreamy sections and peak uplifting moments. ‘Soft Realms’ fills the soundscape with floating melodies and a deep 808 melody, ramping up the energy by jumping between a downtempo and breakbeat drum groove that is a perfect blend of the sounds off the full EP for a title track.
This release strips back to a deep Electronica sound that Gravitas has always pushed through experimental releases and downtempo, and with Torii Wolf’s beautiful vocals this release steps it up and truly offers a memorable and unique experience. The remixes bring the whole release together and merge electronica & modern bass music, truly something special here…
Comisar’s remix of ‘Evaporate’ keeps the beauty of the original while adding in his signature downtempo bass sound design, never overpowering and offering a heavier spin. To The Tide’s remix of ‘It Could Happen’ brings some more energy and a bouncy groove while still focusing on Torii’s vocals and capturing the vibe of the original in a fresh way. Mystic State’s remix of ‘Static’ flips the original into a mesmerizing 2-step future garage track, chopping up the vocals in parts for a very catchy switch. Edamame’s remix of ‘Soft Realms’ closes the release perfectly with a classic Edamame groove full of foley and ear candy throughout, bringing in fresh instrumentation and a dreamy journey. FullyMaxxed’s bonus remix of ‘Evaporate’ adds a perfect 2-step future garage fix to the original that was originally only going to be released on the upcoming vinyl but was too good not to share with the whole world.
"There is a really great common thread across all four remixes where the remixers' productions have a strong element of beauty that the original versions don't, as well as really cool and groove-forward drums that grab your attention as the main foundation of the remix. For each remix the chords are lush and pretty, and the new takes on the songs have an emotional pull to them that feels beautiful in a really wonderful and warm way." - 9 Theory
