The culmination of a historic ID: 'Thistle' sees the light
After years of anticipation in the underground scene, Skrillex has officially released 'Thistle', a hard-hitting collaboration alongside British techno heavyweights Blawan and Randomer, crowned by the unmistakable voice of Brazilian artist MC Dricka. Released under the OWSLA and Atlantic Records umbrella, the track had been circulating as a prized ID in the American producer's sets since 2022, standing out for its resounding explosion at festivals like Exit in 2023. The masterpiece is an exercise in relentless sound design, fusing the percussive rawness of Randomer and the modular synthesis of Blawan with the street energy of Brazilian funk. The single cuts straight to the action, driven by a kinetic energy that lacks brakes, proving that the convergence of genres is the absolute present of the industry.
The CONTRA ecosystem and the metamorphosis of Kraftwerk Berlin
The timing chosen for this release is no coincidence. 'Thistle' lands this very week as the perfect soundtrack for the debut of CONTRA, the new multidisciplinary platform curated by Skrillex in collaboration with the prestigious Berlin Atonal collective. During this weekend, the imposing former power plant of Kraftwerk Berlin and its iconic annexed spaces, such as Tresor and OHM, are transformed to host more than 70 artists. With immersive scenography by the Parisian studio Matière Noire, the event brings together figures of the stature of Flowdan, ISOxo, Knock2, BNYX, and Slim Soledad, blurring the lines between avant-garde clubbing, visual art, and live performances.
CONTRA is an evolving platform that explores productive collisions between artists, scenes, and audiences through contemporary musical culture.
— Official Statement of the CONTRA Project
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A synergy that redefines the boundaries of clubbing
The alliance materialized in 'Thistle' underscores the astonishing adaptability and deep respect that Skrillex professes toward the most purist circuits of electronic music. By integrating industrial techno, noise textures, and broken club rhythms into a structure of global reach, the producer manages to build an unprecedented bridge between mass audiences and experimental niches. This strategic move not only consolidates his artistic maturity but also sets a new standard for how top-tier artists can provide feedback to and boost the underground ecosystem without compromising the integrity of their original groove.
