Justin Hawkes Drops New Album “Existential”
Justin Hawkes recently released Existential, a masterful album filled with genre-bending DnB pieces that showcase the existential scenarios of his life and musical journey.
The 15-track LP features original takes on the UK-based genre from a Virginia-born artist. With dramatic and progressive songs like “Existential” and “Black Bloc,” as well as the deeper midtempo “Hold Me Down” and experimental tracks like “Cadence” and “Lotus Children,” the album pushes the boundaries of what is considered “Drum and bass.” Hawkes’ father performs acoustic guitar on the country/DnB single “Better Than Gold.” However, the entire album is a family affair, as his uncle sings vocals on many of the tracks. “Existential manifests as a self-portrait,” Justin Hawkes said of the album. “It weaves between my thoughts, philosophy, and history, both as a Drum & Bass artist in America and internally as I face the unknown future. The title embodies the existential scenarios that have shaped who I am, delving into my journey through crisis, the weight and forgotten wisdom of the past, and even the sometimes comedic power of being an outlier.”
Justin Hawkes, 28 years old, has been releasing music for over ten years, previously working under the name Flite until 2020. One of his most important goals is to bring drum & bass to a wider audience in North America, all while incorporating his own distinct roots into the music.
