Electronic/Review The Numb Project - A Space Between

The Numb Project is the downtempo alias of Portland, Oregon producer Chris Calarco, trafficking in moody atmospheres, abstract hip-hop grooves, and intricate, mutable rhythm.

The intriguing soundscape of The Numb Project's most recent album, “A Space Between,” resides in the liminal space, which is akin to the sound of raindrops pattering on a windowpane during a silent period of introspection. Portland-based producer Chris Calarco continues his prolific streak with this third full album in less than a year, delving deeper into the hazy boundaries of dub-infused trip-hop, lofi rhythms, abstract hip-hop, and downtempo.

With “A Space Between,” Calarco creates mood rather than just songs. Every song has a faint boom bap heartbeat that grounds the varied soundscapes and dreamy melodies. The album is meant to be listened to introspectively, and the rhythms themselves are only as important as the well-placed quiet and negative space. Calarco's style is nonetheless distinctive despite the production's thoughtfulness and immersion, which is full of analog warmth, dusty samples, and rhythmic echoes that allude to influences from DJ Shadow, Boards of Canada, and Flying Lotus.

The album explores uncertainty and the beauty of existing between times, between thoughts, and between places with sparse lyrics that are emotionally impactful. “A Space Between” has the impression of a late-night drive through a misty city: familiar yet far away, uneasy yet somehow soothing.

With this record, The Numb Project has expanded their emotional range in addition to their musical development. More than just a listen, “A Space Between” is a subdued gem for lovers of melancholy, genre-bending instrumental music.