Tonebox is back with a deliciously dark new EP entitled “Last Encryption!” This is one of the most nasty releases we’ve heard in a while—and not one you want to miss!
Out now via Innerworks records for the digital release and NRW for the physical, this EP is a fantastic offshoot of the Tonebox sound. The last full length we heard from Tonebox was the astounding “Cloud Highway” back in 2019. “Cloud Highway” was filled with dark basslines and lush textures, but it was still distinctly synthwave in many respects.
With “Last Encryption,” if you’ll permit the pun—the tone has changed.
Distinctly darker and more beat-oriented, at times “Last Encryption” feels almost more like 90’s influenced bass music than the traditional sci-fi influence darksynth we heard from Tonebox in “Cloud Highway” and “Nocturn.” Replete with stunningly devilish and HEAVY deep reese basslines more commonly used in bass genres like wave, dubstep, bass house, and drum and bass. Tracks from “Last Encryption” would be a perfect fit for those underground bondage club scenes that always seemed to crop up in 90’s movies like ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Blade.’
In spite of the bass overtones though, “Last Encryption” is still chock-full of absolutely radical synth leads… but they all feel distinctly 90s—at least to this humble editor. And of course – as you might have guessed from Tonebox mastering many NRW releases – the mix & master here is perfect. Not an easy feat for bass music! This all adds together to make “Last Encryption” an absolutely bonkers release perfectly suited to the club. It’s an interesting new direction and one that works very well with Tonebox’s already-cultivated sound.
