BEYOND BEATS
VOL.1: UNDERSAKEN
"When I discovered barber beats. I realised that I had the knowledge and ability required to thrive in it. I saw an opportunity and I went for it."
Undersaken... Before ... End ...
Who is undersaken
About its sound ...
Collaborations ...
...
before you read this mini magazine. Hi I'm Pavel the person who makes Van House and who now makes beyond beats, I want to start with a sincere thank you to all the artists of vaporware barber beats and all the genres derived from these for believing first in me and in this project that started as a school project. I also want to thank everyone who said yes to me and was as excited as I was about this project. Thank you for your patience and for answering the questions I asked you, even if they were a little strange. Thanks to each one of them for motivating me to go ahead with this project. Thanks for everything and look forward to the next editions.
PrimordialMalice
who is
undersaken
Undersaken is a musical artist who has gained recognition in the underground scene for his focus on genres such as barber beats, vaporwave and experimental ambient. His music is distinguished by the fusion of immersive rhythms, nostalgic atmospheres and a sound aesthetic inspired by the past, but with a contemporary and avantgarde approach.
Since his first album, I Can't Save The World 現 実 逃 避 , Undersaken has continued to expand his discography, collaborating with renowned artists such as Micromecha with whom he has released several relevant albums withinthebarberbeatsscenebeingan example of this Mecha-saken , also artists like Gore with the album primordial Malice, magnum innominandum with Magnumsaken, insomaniac with gas masks and garter belt. This helped to consolidate him as a key figure in the vaporwave scene. His music, diverse and constantly evolving, has explored various styles, butalwaysmaintaininganauthenticity that makes him one of the pillars within the genre and with each of his albums and collaborations he is always breakingtherulesofthegenres.Inthis exclusiveinterviewwithVanHouse,we dive deep into his creative process, his influences and his artistic vision, to get a closer look at the mind behind this sonic phenomenon. With each album, Undersaken continues to be a reference for those seeking innovative soundswithinthisuniverse.
the sound of
THE UNDERSAKEN ARTIST IS DISTINGUISHED BY HIS ABILITY TO FUSE A WIDE RANGE OF MUSICAL GENRES, CREATING COMPOSITIONS THAT EVOKE UNIQUE AND DEEP ATMOSPHERES. HIS STYLE RANGES FROM VAPORWAVE AND DOWNTEMPO TO SYNTHPOP, RETROWAVE, DARKWAVE, ELECTROGOTH, WITCH HOUSE, AMBIENT, ACID TECHNO AND DUB, AMONG OTHERS.
compositional techniques and approaches:
Using samples
Undersaken incorporates samples from a variety of sources, including Japanese music and ambient sounds, to construct rich and evocative soundscapes. This technique allows for a deep exploration of
Beat Programming
Creating rhythms through beat programming allows for precision and complexity that complements the melodies, adapting to the various genres you explore.
Analog and Digital Synthesizers:
The combination of analog and digital synthesizers is fundamental in his production, providing warm and cold textures that enrich the atmosphere of his compositions.The combination of analog and digital synthesizers is fundamental in his production, providing warm and cold textures that enrich the atmosphere of his compositions.
Undersaken’s journey through the world of barber beats and vaporwave has been defined not only by his unique sound but also by his collaborations with various talented artists who share his passion for sonic exploration. These collaborations have allowed him to push creative boundaries, experiment with new styles, and strengthen his presence within the genre. Here are some key moments in his collaborative work
HIS COLLA
VAN HOUSE
The album "GORESAKEN" is a collaboration between artists undersaken and GORE, released on July 27, 2023. This work fuses genres such as barber beats, chillhop, downtempo, and vaporwave, creating a sonic atmosphere that evokes the aesthetics of the 80s and 90s. The album's theme focuses on retro nostalgia, with influences from Japanese culture and elements of urban nightlife. The tracks feature relaxed and melodic rhythms, accompanied by samples that recall classic television shows and anime. This combination offers the listener an auditory experience that oscillates between the nostalgic and the contemporary, immersing them in soundscapes that invite reflection and sensory enjoyment.
Never Look Back at Explosions
ABORATIONS
"MECHA-SAKEN" IS AN ALBUM THAT STANDS OUT FOR ITS INNOVATIVE FUSION OF GENRES AND MUSICAL TECHNIQUES. THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN MICROMECHA AND UNDERSAKEN HAS RESULTED IN A WORK THAT COMBINES THE ENERGY OF DRUM AND BASS AND JUNGLE WITH THE DEPTH AND SLOWNESS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE "CHOPPED AND SCREWED" STYLE. THIS EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH HAS RESULTED IN A UNIQUE SOUND THAT THE ARTISTS HAVE DUBBED "BARBER BREAKS".
THE ALBUM CONSISTS OF 12 TRACKS THAT ALTERNATE BETWEEN COMPOSITIONS BY BOTH ARTISTS, OFFERING A DYNAMIC AND VARIED LISTENING EXPERIENCE. EACH TRACK BRINGS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, MAINTAINING A THEMATIC AND SONIC COHESION THROUGHOUT THE ALBUM.
THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN MICROMECHA AND UNDERSAKEN EMERGED DESPITE THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTANCE THAT SEPARATES THEM, ADDING AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF DEPTH TO THE PROJECT. THIS UNION OF TALENTS HAS ALLOWED THE CREATION OF A MUSICAL EXPERIENCE THAT TRANSCENDS THE BARRIERS OF TIME AND SPACE, OFFERING THE LISTENER A UNIQUE SONIC JOURNEY. "MECHA-SAKEN" IS AN ALBUM THAT STANDS OUT FOR ITS INNOVATIVE FUSION OF GENRES AND MUSICAL TECHNIQUES. THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN MICROMECHA AND UNDERSAKEN HAS RESULTED IN A WORK THAT COMBINES THE ENERGY OF DRUM AND BASS AND JUNGLE WITH THE DEPTH AND SLOWNESS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE "CHOPPED AND SCREWED" STYLE. THIS EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH HAS RESULTED IN A UNIQUE SOUND THAT THE ARTISTS HAVE DUBBED "BARBER BREAKS".
VAN HOUSE
THE ALBUM "SINIESTRE" IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN ARTISTS DARK DESIRE AND UNDERSAKEN, RELEASED ON JANUARY 13, 2024. THIS WORK FUSES ELEMENTS OF DARKWAVE AND SYNTHWAVE, OFFERING AN ATMOSPHERE DARK AND MELANCHOLIC.
ONE OF THE ALBUM'S STANDOUT SONGS IS "DOOMED TO REPEAT," WHICH EXEMPLIFIES THE ESSENCE OF THE PROJECT.
HOUSE
"SINIESTRE" IS CHARACTERIZED BY ITS IMMERSIVE SYNTHESIZERS, PULSATING RHYTHMS AND MELODIES THAT EVOKE A SENSE OF NOSTALGIA AND MYSTERY. EACH TRACK ON THE ALBUM TRANSPORTS THE LISTENER TO A UNIVERSE PARALLEL WHERE DARKNESS AND BEAUTY COEXIST IN HARMONY. THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN DARK DESIRE AND UNDERSAKEN HAS BEEN ACCLAIMED FOR ITS ABILITY TO FUSE STYLES AND CREATE A UNIQUE LISTENING EXPERIENCE. FANS OF DARKWAVE, BARBER BEATS AND SYNTHWAVE WILL FIND IN "SINIESTRE" A WORK THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST OF BOTH GENRES. IN SHORT, "SINIESTRE" IS A WORK THAT NOT ONLY STANDS OUT FOR ITS MUSICAL QUALITY, BUT ALSO FOR THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN DARK DESIRE AND UNDERSAKEN, WHO HAVE MANAGED TO CREATE AN ALBUM THAT WILL RESONATE WITH LOVERS OF DARK ELECTRONIC MUSIC.
DARK DESIRE IS KNOWN FOR THEIR DARK AND ATMOSPHERIC STYLE, WHILE UNDERSAKEN BRINGS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO THE PROJECT. TOGETHER, THEY HAVE CREATED AN ALBUM THAT HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY FANS
"MAGNUMSAKEN" IS A COLLABORATIVE ALBUM BETWEEN PRODUCERS MAGNUM INNOMINANDUM AND UNDERSAKEN, RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2024. IT CONSISTS OF 10 TRACKS THAT FUSE ELEMENTS OF EXPERIMENTAL BEATS, AVANT-GARDE, BARBER BEATS, CHILLHOP, DOWNTEMPO AND VAPORWAVE. THIS WORK STANDS OUT FOR ITS ATMOSPHERIC APPROACH AND METICULOUS PRODUCTION, WHERE EACH TRACK SEEMS TO TELL A STORY OF ITS OWN WITHIN AN ENVELOPING SOUNDSCAPE.
IN TERMS OF PRODUCTION, THE ALBUM PRESENTS A CLEAR DIVISION OF LABOR: THREE TRACKS WERE PRODUCED BY UNDERSAKEN, THREE BY MAGNUM INNOMINANDUM AND FOUR WERE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO ARTISTS. THIS GIVES THE ALBUM A VARIETY OF SONIC APPROACHES WITHIN A COHESIVE AESTHETIC.
THE COVER, BY PIOTR JABŁOŃSKI, REINFORCES THE SENSE OF MYSTERY AND INTROSPECTION CONVEYED BY THE MUSIC. THE GRAPHIC DESIGN WAS IN CHARGE OF ℵ₀, WHO COMPLEMENTED THE ART DIRECTION WITH A MINIMALIST BUT STRIKING AESTHETIC.
MAGNUMSAKEN" IS CHARACTERIZED BY AN ETHEREAL AND CINEMATIC ATMOSPHERE, WITH A PRODUCTION THAT BALANCES THE MELANCHOLIC AND THE ENIGMATIC. SOME OF ITS MAIN SONIC CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDE:USE OF AMBIENT SYNTHESIZERS AND ENVELOPING PADS THAT CREATE A DEEP AND EXPANSIVE SONIC SPACE.RHYTHMS INFLUENCED BY INSTRUMENTAL HIP-HOP AND LO-FI, WITH SOFT AND EMPLOYED DRUMS THAT REINFORCE THE SENSE OF INTROSPECTION. EXPERIMENTAL LAYERS AND GLITCH EFFECTS, ADDING TEXTURE AND A FUTURISTIC FEEL TO THE ALBUM.PROCESSED AND DISTORTED VOCAL SAMPLES, ADDING AN ABSTRACT AND EVOCATIVE TOUCH.MINIMALIST STRUCTURES, WHERE EACH ELEMENT HAS A CLEAR PURPOSE, AVOIDING OVERLOADING THE PRODUCTION.
THE ALBUM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS AN IDEAL WORK TO LISTEN TO IN QUIET MOMENTS, EITHER IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING OR DURING WORK AND STUDY SESSIONS. ITS FUSION OF GENRES MAKES IT ACCESSIBLE TO BOTH LO-FI AND CHILLHOP FANS AS WELL AS THOSE LOOKING FOR A MORE EXPERIMENTAL AND ABSTRACT EXPERIENCE.
IN CONCLUSION, "MAGNUMSAKEN" IS AN ALBUM THAT EXPLORES THE DUALITY BETWEEN THE CONCRETE AND THE ETHEREAL, WITH A DETAILED PRODUCTION AND A CAPTIVATING AESTHETIC. IT IS A SONIC JOURNEY DESIGNED TO IMMERSE ONESELF IN ITS ATMOSPHERE AND LET ONESELF BE CARRIED AWAY BY ITS TEXTURES AND EMOTIONS.
INTERV
In this interview, we delve deeper into the mind of Undersaken, the innovative force behind some of the most captivating barber beats and vaporwave tracks. With years of experience in music production and a unique approach to collaboration, Undersaken shares his journey, creative process, and the influences that have shaped his sound. From his early days in music to his evolution within the vaporwave scene, we explore what drives his artistic vision and how he continues to push boundaries while staying true to his roots. Here’s a glimpse into the thoughts of one of the most exciting and versatile artists in the genre today.
HOW WAS YOUR FIRST APPROACH TO MUSIC? WHAT WERE YOU LISTENING TO BEFORE CREATING BARBER BEATS OR VAPORWAVE?
used to make original music, contrary to popular belief. I actually know quite a bit about production and such. I have around a decade of experience, as I discovered vaporwave and plunderphonics, I slowly and begrudgingly started to integrate it into my music production, eventually, it would completely take hold when I began creating barber beats.
WHAT LED YOU TO THIS SPECIFIC GENRE AND NOT TO OTHER ELECTRONIC OR EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC STYLES?
I don't just create "one style" of music. If you have a look at my discography, you'll see that I have messed around with many different genres. I have a pretty eclectic taste, but to answer your question, I guess I just enjoyed the sound and having discovered barber beats while it was still coming up, I saw an opportunity to make a name for myself. So I did.
VIEW
WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES BARBER BEATS OR VAPORWAVE CONNECT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE? IS IT NOSTALGIA, AESTHETICS OR SOMETHING ELSE?
I think the genre itself, compared to most forms of vaporwave, is very easy listening and approachable. This gives the genre the potential for a wider audience, then say... genres like slushwave or future funk. I also believe that if lofi hiphop's rise was any indication, people really enjoy chilled out background beats. Also it'd be a fool's errand to say that the immaculate album artwork wasn't a factor in attracting people to it.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A SAMPLE BEFORE USING IT? ARE THERE EMOTIONAL, TECHNICAL OR NARRATIVE CRITERIA?
I am sort of a wildcard in the barber beats scene. I hardly ever go digging for samples. Most, if not nearly all of my samples are pulled from the music I love. long before I found barber beats, I made many mixes and saw some decent success from my curation abilities. When I discovered barber beats. I realised that I had the knowledge and ability required to thrive in it. I saw an opportunity and I went for it.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU USUALLY SPEND ON A TRACK? WHEN DO YOU KNOW A SONG IS FINISHED? that can really vary. sometimes(and I kid you not), only 1 minute. other times: an entire day, sometimes a couple days if I'm not happy with it.
the people you love will end up hating you
HOW DO YOU DECIDE ON YOUR SONG AND ALBUM TITLES? HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY TO THE OVERALL MESSAGE OR EXPERIENCE?
I'll usually try to think of something cheeky or with the right amount of intonations, or whatever looks and sounds aesthetically pleasing. Just depends.
WHO
ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES OUTSIDE OF MUSIC (FILM, LITERATURE, ART, PHILOSOPHY)?
Honestly I'll just mention my influences within music, because that's something I can actually answer.
Above all else, when it comes to electronic music of the downtempo variety my biggest influences would be: Boards of Canada, Tycho, Casino Versus Japan, Aphex Twin, Prefuse73 and Nujabes
Other honorable mentions I look to for inspiration: Crystal Castles, George Clanton, Trevor Something, telepath, Nmesh, desert sand feels warm at night, The Doors, Dream Theater, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Dorothy Ashby, as well as many japanese composers for JRPGs like: Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Yasunori Mitsuda, Yoko Shimomura and Nobuo Uematsu (to name a few)
WHICH
ARTISTS OR PRODUCERS WITHIN
BARBER
BEATS OR VAPORWAVE DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?
Most of all, I look up to GORE. They're probably one of the most talented of all the barbers and yet, remain completely humble, and they were my first friend in the barber beats community. other honorable mentions: Male Alchemy, Machina Pensant, modest by default, DARK DESIRE, Majestic 12, Macroblank, slowerpace, GODSPEED, THEWORLDWELIVEIN, Memoria Oculta and snowpoint lounge.
VAN HOUSE
AND THIS IS NOT THE END
HOW HAS YOUR APPROACH CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED? DO YOU THINK YOU’VE FOUND “YOUR SOUND” OR ARE YOU STILL EXPLORING?
Honestly I have gotten a lot more low effort compared to what I used to do but it's cool because the effort is not what matters in barber beats.
WHAT EMOTIONS PREDOMINATE WHEN YOU CREATE MUSIC? JOY, NOSTALGIA, MELANCHOLY?
I ususally create music because it gives me a sense of purpose and it's one of the few things I can do that doesn't make me feel like a piece of shit. It makes me happy and helps me when I'm sad. Even more so, I enjoy sharing the music I love with others. It's how I connect with people. Always has been.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLORE OTHER GENRES OR DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU STILL HAVE A LOT TO OFFER WITHIN BARBER BEATS AND VAPORWAVE
I've always dabbled in other genres. I try to keep an open mind when it comes to sonic palettes. If I like it. I like it. I don't ascribe to the idea that barber beats(or any genre) can only be one thing.
The future is now
Conclusion
Undersaken embodies the spirit of artistic evolution, seamlessly blending influences from downtempo, vaporwave, and barber beats. His journey reflects a deep connection to music—not just as a creative outlet, but as a means of expression, purpose, and emotional resonance.
Rather than confining himself to a single style, he embraces experimentation, allowing his instincts and personal taste to guide his sound. His approach to barber beats is refreshingly organic, prioritizing feeling over technical precision, and proving that effort is not always synonymous with impact.
At the heart of his work is a desire to share music and connect with others. Whether through carefully curated samples, clever titling, or his distinct aesthetic, Undersaken continues to shape the barber beats scene with authenticity and innovation.
As he explores new sonic landscapes while remaining rooted in the genre, it’s clear that his influence will only grow, leaving a lasting imprint on both barber beats and vaporwave.
thank you to read next reissue with
thank you To all of you for the time you gave me, with love Pavel from Van House