Airbear & MALT deliver psychedelic brilliance on joint EP ‘Heaven’s Door’

Airbear and MALT join forces on their latest project, ‘Heaven’s Door’, out now via No Bias.

The EP came together during COVID-19 Zoom sessions and eventually worked with their Korean duo counterparts SALAMANDA, with Yetsuby providing vocals on ‘Jet Set’, and Uman Therma remixing a track.

The title track, ‘Heaven’s Door’, takes its name from a psychedelic manga that the duo are avid fans of.

True to its name, the track leans into a trip-heavy ‘90s electronic sound, offering a stripped-down approach to the often over-the-top, in-your-face psy sound. It’s a heady, immersive journey without unnecessary frills.

'Jet Set', featuring Yetsuby, takes the EP into uncharted, unsettling territory. Her eerie vocals glide over an off-kilter production that’s both bold and hypnotic. It’s a track that feels strange yet singular, and undeniably addictive.

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Airbear shared with Mixmag Asia that this is his favourite track on the EP, citing retro video games as a major influence, and upon hearing this we can’t help but imagine this fit perfectly in a retro 90s thriller.

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'Specular Rings' opts for a minimalist approach, but this makes it no less ambitious. The spaces between the beats do the heavy lifting here, creating an atmospheric depth that says more in its spaces than most do in their fills. The breakdown with the iconic ‘Check’ sample we all know and love is used flawlessly, adding a potent depth and drive to the mix.

The remixes bring fresh perspectives to the EP. Uman Therma’s jungle-infused take on 'Heaven’s Door' is relentless, packing a punch with no filler. Meanwhile, No Bias label boss RITCHRD’s remix of 'Jet Set' transforms it into a groove-heavy breaks banger we can’t get enough of.

Purchase Airbear and MALT’s ‘Heaven’s Door’ here.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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