.multibeat x vAn – Monochrome

Forward-thinking Dutch collective .multibeat present Monochrome, the third single taken from their forthcoming LP and debut for Sonar Kollektiv, entitled OOO, due for release this autumn.

The trio hail from the vibrant city of Utrecht, whose rich musical heritage and diverse influences provide the perfect backdrop for .multibeat to create their unique amalgamation of hip hop and jazz, always keeping the beat firmly at the centre of everything they do.

Influenced by Robert Glasper, J Dilla and the current wave of UK jazz, the core trio of Boudewijn Pleij (keys), Thijs van Zutphen (bass) and Aron Smit (drums) continue to draw inspiration from collaborating with a wide range of mostly local artists.

One of those collaborators is Dutch singer-songwriter vAn, the moniker of Eurovision Song Contest and Dutch edition of The Voice finalist, Ivan Peroti. Working closely together in person helped shape the song’s intimate atmosphere and emotional directness.

Monochrome is a sultry, soulful crossover piece that finds its voice in opposition to political polarization and an increasingly black-and-white worldview. Reflecting on the emotional numbness and disconnection of modern life, the band explain:

“If we look at the state of the world, of humanity over the last seventy-five years, we look at it as television… we have shifted back to black and white.”

The song’s lyrics echo this sense of unease and longing for emotional clarity:

“How can I pretend not to see this, the world has lost its glow.
How can we pretend not to hear this, the world’s so lost in noise.”

Monochrome offers another glimpse into an album that reflects .multibeat’s strong independent spirit while staying true to their live sound and collaborative ethos.

Listen or download .multibeat feat. vAn – Monochrome here: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/ooo