CHLLNGR

CHLLNGR is the recording name of Steven Jess Borth II, a producer based in Copenhagen and originally from Sacramento, Denmark. His work combines dub and R&B with electronic production, and is often described through terms such as future garage, minimal and dubstep. He is also associated with I Am An Instrument.

Style and work

His music uses heavy rhythms, deep sub-frequencies and dark, reverberant atmospheres alongside melodic material. Vocals are often folded into the production in chopped, wordless or closely integrated forms, giving the tracks a dense and layered character. His debut album, Haven, is presented as a focused statement in this style, with tracks that move between murky textures, spectral soul and more open melodic passages.

Collaborations and releases

Before Haven, CHLLNGR gains attention through remixes for The XX, Primary 1 and MIA. He is also involved with Cubic Zirconia, Spoek Mathambo and Teachers. On Haven, he contributes vocals himself on tracks including “Ask For” and appears with Coco O. of Quadron, Aku of Dragons of Zynth and Jessica Brown. The album includes pieces such as “May 3”, “Ask For”, the title track “Haven”, “At Last” and “Dusty”, which show his use of drone loops, sampled vocals, rhythmic detail, ghostly percussion and electro/R&B elements.