Max’s debut, Oscar’s return, on Adam Beyer’s Truesoul label, out now
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Max Styler and Oscar L team up to release their already dancefloor-igniting two-tracker Addiction/Yapper on Adam Beyer’s imprint Truesoul, out now.
Oscar L, a veteran of Beyer’s Drumcode with Again EP (2023), and of Truesoul including solo EP Vulture (2022) and a collaboration with Dosem Aircargo EP earlier this year, now brings his revered techno/tech-house chops to this collaboration with Californian Max Styler, a Beyer stable up-and-comer, whose “Main Stage/Indie Dance” blend of house with dark Euro vibes has soared in the last two years on Experts Only and Diynamic Music.
“We started this collaboration through Instagram. We have always had a shared love for each other’s music and we thought we would try and work on something together. Both records having been making big waves in our sets and we’re really excited for them to be out on Truesoul.”
“Addiction”: straight in with spoken vocal mantra/manifesto – “We’ve got an addiction… To rave life’ over a driving beat, rattling drums, dark basslines of teeth-tingling, juddering notes rich in reverb, echo and hoover FX, while in the long central breakdown, synth chords build like approaching sirens heralding the mighty drop. Compelling and compulsive dance fuel.
“Yapper”: the fast, powerhouse beat, ominously growling bass and stabby melody of deep reverb paired with high keening synth are joined by a pitch-shifted distorted vocal staccato babble which is strangely hooky, bringing a more alien, other-worldly feel.
“We wanted to do something driving and groovy, with some subtle ‘techno flavor.’ Oscar worked on the drums and basslines which he smashed and I finalized working with the vocals and structure. After ‘Addiction’ was made very quickly we decided to work on something a bit more dubby. ‘Yapper’ balances out the vibe perfectly with less vocal and more groove.”
Tracklist:
- Addiction
- Yapper
Addiction/Yapper is out now on Truesoul.
Elevating Techno and Tech-House with Global Rhythm and Energy.
Oscar L has long been a dominant force in the international techno and tech-house scene, with his music gaining the support of industry giants like Adam Beyer, Richie Hawtin, and Nicole Moudaber. With releases on iconic labels such as Drumcode and We Are The Brave, and electrifying performances at festivals like Tomorrowland and The BPM Festival, Oscar’s presence on the global stage is undeniable.
With the recent release of his two-track EP Addiction/Yapper on Truesoul, I found myself diving deeper into his journey, eager to uncover more about his longstanding relationship with Adam Beyer and his exciting collaboration with Max Styler. In this exclusive interview, we explore how their partnership came to life and the creative process behind this remarkable EP. Join me as we take a closer look at what makes Oscar L one of the standout figures in electronic music today. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Oscar L.
Congratulations on the release of Addiction/Yapper with Max Styler! How has the journey been since its release, and what has stood out most to you during this time?
Thanks! I’m thrilled with the release, we have reached 1 & 2 on the tech peak time chart on Beatport, a lot of plays on Spotify and most importantly the support from the industry on the dancefloor has been nuts.
What initially inspired your collaboration with Max Styler?
We both are big fans of each other’s music and some months ago I wrote to Max to let him know this, we were chatting on Instagram and I suggested doing something and the rest is history. (Laughs.)
How did the opportunity with Truesoul arise, and what role did the label play in shaping the project?
I have been working with Truesoul for a long time, I think my first release there was in 2016 or 2017. It’s a label that I like and the team behind it is great and easy to work with.
Max has quickly become a prominent figure in the electronic music world. How was the experience of working with someone newer to the scene, and in what ways do you feel you’ve both impacted each other’s sound through this partnership?
It was great to work with Max, we have a similar sound when I’m more focused on groovy style so the combination was fantastic because he was able to find what the track needed when I sent him the first idea.
You’ve worked on several successful projects, including the Again EP on Drumcode and the Vulture EP on Truesoul. How did your experience with these releases influence your approach to the collaboration with Max on Addiction/Yapper?
All of these tracks are more focused on peak-time techno, and I wanted to come back to do something with more rhythm but not sounding like old tech house. That’s what we tried and it worked!
Your collaboration with Dosem on “Aircargo” earlier this year was well-received. How do collaborations like that compare to working with Max Styler, whose sound blends “main stage” and dark Euro vibes?
Dosem is an amazing DJ and producer and we have been trying to collaborate for 4 years, but we never found the right moment. His sound is more progressive and we wanted to blend those atmospheres and my techno touch to have something solid for the dancefloor.
With your extensive background in techno, how do you see your sound evolving, and what excites you most about working with emerging artists like Max Styler in the current electronic music landscape?
You never stop learning in this career. I have been evolving from house to techno, from more raw sounds to rolling basslines, and it’s great to have fresh ideas blending all these touches in a unique style. Max is doing well combining these genres.
Both these songs have been making waves in your sets. What has the crowd’s reaction been to these tracks, and how does that influence your future collaborations?
Both tracks work pretty well in my sets and I’m getting some ideas from this release for my upcoming tracks and collaborations, it’s time to come back to do something more groovy with a lower BPM.
Your sound has evolved significantly over the years. How do you approach personal growth as an artist, and what elements of your music do you prioritize when crafting tracks that represent your signature style?
Like I said before, you never stop learning in music production, everyone has their signature and mine was always the groove. I try to always keep this touch in my music.
“Addiction” features a powerful vocal mantra—”We’ve got an addiction… To rave life.” What was the inspiration behind incorporating that message, and how do you see it resonating with the rave culture?
Max added these vocals to the track, which was a great idea. We are living in an exciting time for ravers and electronic music in general. As for the specific message behind these lyrics, you’d have to ask Max. (Laughs.)
The production on “Addiction” includes dark basslines and hoover FX. Can you walk us through the creative process behind crafting these distinctive elements?
I created the bassline using Repro-1 VST and the Ableton Arpeggiator. I wanted to keep the techno touch and this instrument sounds amazing for that. Changing the arpeggiator we moved the sound in the break to give the track more tension and create the buildup.
“Yapper” is described as having a fast, powerhouse beat. How do you balance creating high-energy tracks like this with maintaining the depth and complexity of your sound?
The rhythm combined with the kind of kick and clap is very important to get this. You have to create something dark with energy and a low-end that combines with the purpose.
Truesoul has been a major platform for both of you. How important has the label been in shaping your career, and what sets it apart from other labels in the techno/tech-house scene?
Truesoul is the little brother of Drumcode… Adam Beyer and his team have the knowledge to do it right. Truesoul has the musical taste from Adam but more focus on another kind of techno, more musical, melodic, eclectic, and groovy.
In “Addiction,” the synth chords in the breakdown build like sirens before the drop. How do you approach creating those tension-building moments in your tracks, and why are they so effective on the dancefloor?
That kind of resource is very effective always on the dancefloor to create tension and build the energy that you need to give power to your tracks, for me I find this is something easy to create.
With your extensive experience in the industry, how do you balance pushing the boundaries of your sound while staying true to the core elements that define Oscar L?
We all have our signature in production and like a DJ, we choose those sounds to create music or those tracks to do a set, that’s the main thing that keeps your essence.
You’ve had multiple successful releases on Drumcode and Truesoul. How do you keep your sound fresh while still staying true to your signature techno/tech-house style?
I love music and I’m always listening to new producers from other genres, getting new ideas for trying to learn
Can you tell us more about how you incorporate influences from rave culture into your music, particularly in tracks like “Addiction?”
The main rave culture thing here is the vocal, and the message indeed, but I could say that there is nothing like a typical rave sound.
As someone who has worked across various labels and with a range of collaborators, what do you find most challenging about maintaining your creative identity when working on joint projects like Addiction/Yapper?
It’s important to choose carefully who you are collaborating with. You have to love and know their sound.
What has been the highlight of collaborating with Max Styler on this two-tracker, and do you see more opportunities to work together again down the road, or are you shifting focus towards solo projects or collaborations with other artists?
It was very easy to work with Max, and fast also! This first project has been doing very well so I’m sure we will keep doing music together in the future.
With tracks like “Yapper” pushing boundaries, where do you see the evolution of your sound heading next, especially with the growing fusion of techno influences?
I want to come back to do tracks with less bpm, and more groove but keeping the techno atmosphere.
Both “Addiction” and “Yapper” have already become dancefloor anthems. What advice would you give to aspiring producers looking to create music that captivates the crowd and stands out in the industry?
Just be yourself!
The electronic scene is constantly evolving. Where do you see the genre headed in the next few years, and how do you plan to continue innovating your sound?
You just have to keep an open mind, that’s all.
We’ve talked about a lot today. What else can you tell me about your collaboration with Max Styler, the success you’ve already seen from the release of Addiction/Yapper.
I’m super happy to be able to work with Max and his team, they are doing great and it was very easy to work with, thanks for the good job guys!
Thanks for doing this, man, I really enjoyed our time together. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
It was a pleasure, man! My final word… The music should be what matters most, not social media.
For more information about Oscar L, go to:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | SoundCloud | YouTube
