Xxjaswani is an Indian lo-fi beats producer who has just come to my attention thanks to his latest album. Coming complete with a short film, it’s called Liminal.

By Graeme Smith

Musically, Xxjaswani is inspired by the likes of Joji, The Weeknd, A L E X, and Øneheart, as well as the Backrooms series of videos created by Kane Parsons. He brings these influences together in Liminal, a narrative told through both his finely crafted arrangements, and its slow-burning first-person perspective video.

The album opens with its title track. It’s a short and cinematic intro with plenty of strings and pensive piano. It leads seamlessly into Time and Time Again which introduces us to Xxjaswani’s electronic lo-fi sound. Distorted keys marry elegantly with a hip-hop beat which will have you feeling chill and a little uneasy in equal measure. The two tracks together prove a strong start.

It’s All You Know is driven by piano, giving us a reflective and melancholic moment. Within is rich with static and induces a state of bliss. Gaze has a steadily rising piano melody and brings with it some soulful vocals. This City is beautifully ambient, transporting you to a lively, sunny city park.

Forlorn sits at the heart of the album giving us a wonderfully textured and timeless moment. A bass heavy team up with veh_mix it proves to be a highlight.

Tears in the Rain is a bittersweet number for a grey day before Struggle provides another highlight. The collaboration with moxizz is distorted and vibrant.

This Is Not a Dream is suitably ethereal, taking us into a world adjacent to our own. The End Is Near is an atmospheric wonder. George’s Call (Skit) is short but full of narrative before Final Call closes the album with meditative guitar courtesy of Confidential. It’s a final highlight.

You can check out Liminal below.