Though they live in two different states, the collaborative efforts of San Antonio, Texas’s Erick "Progeny" Frias and local Rob Castro as hERON are undeniably some of the best in modern trip-hop around. Long distance relationships don’t often work out but for these two, it’s proven successful. A listen to their self-titled debut album marks such.
With Frias blasting the beats and sometimes guitar, and Castro handling the brooding air of bass lines and keys every once in awhile, the textures they create are both introspective and groovy. Their debut album offers tracks for every vibe, from the laid back mellow moods of the short album opener "Chillmode" to the bluesy boho riffs on "EvilFortress" and the slightly country western twang to "Melt Away." The duo create plenty of soundscapes, complicated and simplistic at the same time, and there’s something new to appreciate about it with every listen.
Give hERON’s self-titled record a few run-throughs below.