“Toxic Waste,” the A2 track on Fresh Tunez latest outing “Sound of a Past Time” by Pau Melgar, presents an audacious leap into the cutting-edge underground soundscape, combining breakbeat rhythms with an atmospheric touch that feels both groovy and cinematic. Under the careful curation of Moses Mawila’s sub-label to System Error, Pau Melgar crafts a distinctive piece that resonates deeply with the label’s ethos of pushing sound-boundaries.
Opening with a haunting bleep-laden intro, “Toxic Waste” soon dives into a labyrinth of intricate breakbeat rhythms that harken back to the genre’s early experimental phases, while simultaneously sounding utterly contemporary. The track thrives on its dual nature—managing to maintain a spacious, almost ethereal atmosphere while propelling listeners forward with its infectious groove. The synth line is the star of the show: hypnotic, catchy, and laced with just enough grit to keep you anchored in the underground.
The track’s groove beckons you to move, yet its layers of detailed production, particularly the bleepy nuances and the evolving sound design, create a sense of space that feels almost otherworldly. It’s as much a peak-time anthem as it is a sound journey—perfectly suited for late-night sets where the dance floor craves both depth and energy.
In “Toxic Waste”, Pau Melgar expertly fuses breakbeat nostalgia with forward-thinking production, resulting in a complex yet accessible tune that lingers in the mind long after its final echoes fade. “Toxic Waste” is not just a dancefloor filler—it’s a piece that beckons deeper exploration, embodying the subversive spirit of Fresh Tunez and System Error’s relentless pursuit of underground excellence.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 