Electronic artist Desert Petunia returns with Underwater and Maximal, two contrasting but complementary tracks from the forthcoming EP Radicle, due out on February 20, 2025. With a focus on playful experimentation and an exploratory production style, both tracks reflect the project’s ethos: to retain a “beginner’s mind” in the creative process, rooted in early experiences with music-making on computers.
Underwater
Built around audio samples recorded with underwater microphones, Underwater takes a through-composed approach, unfolding gradually from abstract textures into a more defined groove. Percussive fragments provide rhythmic momentum, while a growling bass synth adds weight beneath the surface. Synth brass motifs bring a melodic dimension, and the panning synth lead introduces spatial interest, giving the track a constantly shifting feel. The piece is rhythmically engaging and sonically layered, with a subtle improvisational quality that rewards repeated listens.
Maximal
Maximal takes a different route—glitchy, rhythmic, and deliberately segmented. Created as part of a self-imposed challenge to complete a track within a week, the piece is structured around handmade oscillators and filters, producing a raw and tactile sound. Early on, rhythm takes the spotlight, with melodic content emerging later in the track via understated synth lines and evolving bass textures. Defined by its fragmented structure and playful sound design, Maximal leans toward the abstract, with three distinct sections that highlight contrast and progression.
