The second release of the Cella record label whirlpools Turner and Ill Chill’s talents together as one dark, genre-twisting EP, "Victorious." Hip-hop, trap and dubstep influences from both sides of the Atlantic meld together with Turner’s ear for atmosphere and Ill Chill’s transcendental lyricism.

From the beginning of his musical career, Brighton-based producer Turner has denied the idea of formulaic music. He has managed to expertly craft songs that fill the grey areas above and between specific genres, whilst also working incredibly well within them. The result is revitalizing. Ill Chill’s calm, paced and deliberate bars elevate your mind to the spaces of scientific discovery and personal growth. Having first heard him on the title track of Truth’s "Undeniable EP," I enjoyed his patient and relaxed style. Those two attributes work excellently with the dubstep rhythm and also with Turner’s tendency to let the sub-bass roll without the wobbling mid-range frequency. This allows Ill Chill’s mind-altering lyrics to fall through clearly and become a more conscious layer atop the floor shaking basslines. Surrounding the central players in each song is an explorative world of atmospheric noises. Dotting the distance of the sonic mix like stars are police sirens, white noise and screams from outer space, exemplifying the reality of each song and purveying a feeling of truth in each one’s setting.

The track on the album that stands out most is "Acid Trip." As the name suggests, it takes a turn for the enlightened. After dropping into a broken-up, sloshing ocean of sub-low frequencies and clashing percussion, it lifts up into a side-chained cloud of static. Turner and Ill Chill take the opportunity here to unleash their creativity. They switch off the gravity and leave any confines behind, allowing the music to enter a higher state. What seems like a build to the next weighty drop becomes the song fully taking flight.

In an exclusive Lock-In interview, I spoke to Turner about his brand new Victorious EP:

The combination of current West coast hip-hop and south England bass-driven music works really well, how do you think you and Ill Chill influenced each other in the creation of this sound?

“I started to fall in love with that sound a couple of years back, and Victorious was the first track we wrote together. Ill Chill was already certified in the Dubstep scene and I wanted to test to see if we could work on a solid track at a slower tempo. I knew he would slay a 140bpm track too so then Acid Trip and No Future followed up. The tracks just seemed to roll and it felt like we were creating some really good stuff. So this EP became a collection of the 4 tracks we've made together in a crazy hip-hop/dubstep hybrid. I'd never made this kinda stuff before so it was all new to me and whenever he'd send stems we'd bounce off each other and made sure that what we got down was tight.”

Looking back at Cella001, it is clear that your main influence lies in dubstep, but also that you like to take a varied and unique approach to how it should sound, with each track on the EP being hugely different. Victorious is more solidly based in exploring a particular style, is this a nod to where your future music will focus, or will you continue to explore?

“Yeah, I really enjoy exploring different styles. I don't believe that anyone should only have a certain sound. I respect artists that do, but people like Skream taught me that you can literally make any kind of style and shouldn’t be scared to put it out, as long as it's good! The first EP was quite varied and not too focused. The second is a lot more directed and I am to have future releases pretty focused too, and maybe not as diverse within the EP - But each EP could be a different style. I'm currently working on more hip hop, trap, grime, house and even dubstep for the first time in ages!”

Are you excited to start playing these tracks out and touring with them?

“Yeah, I love getting the chance to play my tracks out, it's surreal to see them getting a big response. I've already had a few sets this year and I'm hoping to keep the ball rolling. As for a tour, I might hold my horses for a little while longer. My sound is pretty popular in America, so I definitely wanna get out there and play some shows. Maybe next year will be the year!”

So from the west coast of the USA to the south coast of the UK, expect to hear Turner and Ill Chill’s brand new riddims circulating the bass music scene.

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