Lazy Saturdays.....even with summer pretty much long gone now, there's still ample need for a good chillout kotch session. Luckily we have just what you'll need, The Zen Zone's aka Vactionland's 'Legalize It' mixtape, an electric mix of cross-genre music, field samples and atmosphere, described quite nicely by what the Brooklyn based Vactionland has coined as 'Blazewave'. It's the kind of high flying California vibe that aligns neatly with the mixtapes hazy (and subtly political) message. We've been sitting on this tape for a number of reasons (somewhat related to an overwhelming increase in submissions and increasing work back in reality) but mostly because we've been far to busy enjoying all the subtle layers and intricate links between the tape's complementary tracks, that become increasingly apparent on each additional play through.
The sheer detail and clear quality production present in the tape really signifies the whole piece as a real labour of love that bleeds through the entire mix. In the creator's own words, "First it was video teasers, then it was vocal samples, then I added in atmospheric samples and now I’m working to make all these elements not only tell a story, but fit in musically.... [The mixtape] is meant to represent the coming fall, the end of the summer. I couldn’t have made a more obvious thematic choice, but it’ll resonate for sure, bro".
Given the time and attention it deserves, there's a really visceral audio experience to be had here. But even if you're looking for something much less cerebral, or simply just trying to sit back and recuperate from last nights antics, then 'Legalize It' is still going to scratch that itch. Whether it's the sweet tracks you'll already know and love that do it.... or brand new jams it'll introduce you too, or just the mellow, yet funky vibes of the piece as a whole....one way or another Vacationland will put a smile back on your face.
Check it out below and then grab the FREE download here and while you're at it, swing by the Vacationland Soundcloud for more brilliant and FREE mixes. WANT MORE? Then follow The HotBox on Facebook and Twitter