KOAN Sound started out as a fairly nondescript dubstep project in 2008. But after three years of experimentation, the Bristol duo began to develop a niche in production techniques and start broadening the scope of their style. 2011 marked this turning point with the release of three EPs, the last being Funk Blaster on Skrillex’s label OWSLA, which rocketed to #1 on Beatport’s release charts. In addition to expanding on their glitch hop and dub influences, their music had been injected with a healthy dose of funk and groove. This new flavor grew over the next few years with concept albums like The Adventures of Mr. Fox, Sanctuary (which features some beautiful collaboration work that really draws outside the lines for KOAN), and my personal favorite, Dynasty, from earlier this year.

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