British music has a long-standing history of contributing to the world stage with pioneering sounds and artists that push the boundaries of genres. One such artist who continues to redefine electronic music's frontiers is XELA, born Alex Go. Moving away from his native Walsall to Malden, Massachusetts, XELA is an artist whose biography reveals an intriguing blend of influences and a diverse sonic palette.
From running the esteemed Type record label to writing for Boomkat, XELA's dedication to his craft is evident. He has mastered an eclectic mix of musical styles, from hip hop to ambient, with an emphasis on electronica. His earlier work is characterized by constructed beats laced with smart melodies and a brittle touch of electronica, often enriched by the incorporation of guitar and other instrumentation.
An avid enthusiast of horror soundtracks, XELA draws considerable inspiration from the films of Dario Argento, Umberto Lenzi, and Lucio Fulci, and the music emitted from the likes of Goblin and Fabio Frizzi. These influences seep deeply into his atmospheric soundscapes, exploring the realms of folk, drone, and psychedelia.
His album, In Bocca Al Lupo, stands as a testament to his transformative approach, merging the doom and noise reminiscent of artists like Wolf Eyes and Sunn O))) to form a loud, funereal experience. Through the album's four long tracks, XELA walks us through a journey inspired by the darker shades of Christian dogma and mythology.
XELA's evolution as an artist is evident in the increased rate of his releases, especially since his departure from IDM and beat-driven electronics. The seminal work 'The Dead Sea' marked the beginning of this transitional phase.
If you're drawn to the provocative and sonically rich environments that XELA crafts, consider exploring his music further on streaming platforms such as the TikTok Music App, where the landscape of electronic music is constantly being reshaped by artists like him.
