20/04/2025
Hi Freq Lo Freq’s debut album Into the Unknown is a genre-defying, time-bending journey through sound, culture, and consciousness. Built on a foundation of heavy breaks, lyrical dexterity and sonic experimentation, this project showcases the collaborative firepower of MC Buzz and Notch, with additional contributions from DJ OUTBREAK, Dominic Ladd aka Dom & Bass, and legendary graf artist and musician Req on visuals. With deep references to UK rave, early hip-hop, jungle, and roots reggae, this is an album that rewards full immersion — headphones on, mind open.
Alakazam
Opening with a bang, Alakazam is a thrilling breakbeat throwback, nodding to the early days of The Prodigy with squelchy acid-style basslines and punchy, upfront drums. But it doesn’t stop there — swirling Eastern melodies and dreamy synths weave a mystical atmosphere, as Buzz delivers rapid-fire rhymes in a style that’s animated, visual and theatrical. His lyrics conjure magical Middle Eastern figures and fantastical realms, instantly transporting the listener into the duo’s sonic universe. A bold and cinematic opener.
Olympia
With Olympia, the album shifts into big beat territory, tipping its hat to The Chemical Brothers. This is an anthemic, high-energy track designed for movement — whether you're training, dancing, or pushing through the final mile. It’s motivational without being corny, balancing a cheerleader-style chant with sitars and sweeping strings that add an unexpected layer of depth and uplift. The result is a track that fuses drive with elegance, pushing you further while keeping your spirit elevated.
P.A.
A raw, uncompromising nod to early Britcore hip-hop, P.A. is all distorted breaks, 808s, and powerful lyricism. Notch joins Buzz on the mic, trading dense bars packed with coded messages and mystic wisdom. There’s a weight and urgency to this one, a throwback to the days when pirate radio ruled and every bar carried meaning. It’s grimey, rugged, and completely unapologetic.
Heart & Soul
A love letter to roots reggae and sound system culture, Heart & Soul slows the tempo and deepens the emotion. Warm sub-bass, dub-style effects, and soulful instrumentation carry Buzz’s reflections on heritage, identity, and the music that raised him. There’s a surprise in store for the patient listener too — a jungle twist that pays off for those who tune in with more than a TikTok attention span. This track is a journey in itself, evolving organically across its runtime.
Tribes Peace
Dedicated to the “afters” crew — the sunrise warriors who stay up to greet the morning — Tribes Peace is gentle, soulful, and uplifting. Dominic Ladd aka Dom & Bass brings live basslines that flow like honey through the track, wrapping it in warmth and serenity. It’s music for reflective moments and quiet connection, a deep breath after the chaos of the night.
The Origin
The Origin carries deep significance for fans of Brighton’s underground scene. Originally a freestyle piece delivered over Jehst and Tommy Evans’ Water Torture at legendary open mic night Slip Jam:B, it’s been reimagined here as a fast-paced ska-tinged riddim. Buzz and Notch bounce off each other with infectious energy, making this one of the album’s most dynamic and fun live favourites. Old heads will smile at the nod; new listeners will be swept up in the momentum.
Fly By
Hi Freq Lo Freq shift gears again with Fly By, diving into the world of liquid tech drum & bass. It’s playful and propulsive, with enough bounce to keep the dancefloor moving and just the right amount of turbulence to keep things interesting. This is a proper skank-out tune — fast, fun, and laced with futuristic detail.
Space Mode
Things turn dark and introspective with Space Mode, a moody, slow-burner that drifts through the void of deep space. DJ OUTBREAK steps in for this one and absolutely shines, slicing and scratching with surgical precision. The track conjures black holes, distant stars, and intergalactic travel — a true headphone journey that feels cinematic in scope and layered with detail.
FF Search
Picking up the thread from the earlier Digitek track Forwarder, FF Search continues the digital dreamscape. Ethereal production and forward-leaning lyricism blur the lines between sci-fi and street poetry. This one is all texture and tone, a lush, almost ambient hip-hop hybrid that bridges the gap between the physical and digital realms.
Into the Unknown
The title track brings the album to a fitting close: deep, dark, and courageous. This is music about discovery, bravery, and the human spirit’s constant push into the unfamiliar. Time, space, memory, myth — it all comes together here in a final crescendo that feels earned and conclusive. The concept threads that run through the album are pulled tightly together, and the listener is left feeling like they’ve been somewhere — and may never return the same.
Final Thoughts
Into the Unknown is more than a collection of tracks — it’s a concept album in the truest sense. Rooted in hip-hop but endlessly branching outwards, it takes influence from rave culture, roots music, jungle, psychedelia, and UK street poetry, all while staying cohesive and compelling. The chemistry between MC Buzz and Notch is undeniable, and the added layers from DJ OUTBREAK, Dom & Bass, and Req elevate the project to something special.
This is an album for the deep listeners, the ravers, the heads, and the explorers. Get lost in it — that’s the point.
10 track album
