“The Dissonance is Loud” is now out.

Austin, Texas – Artist Dax Martinez-Vargas and producer Jason Richard, have once again joined forces for their 7th single collaboration, "The Dissonance is Loud”, crafting yet another thoughtful and evocative composition. Its complexity and emotional resonance showcase the strengths of their creative partnership, which began during the Covid pandemic in 2020 to complete Dax's LP album ‘Halusanation’.

"The Dissonance is Loud" expertly melds the elements of progressive rock with industrial rock, creating a soundscape reminiscent of legendary artists like NIN, David Bowie, and Tool. Lyrics interweave a sense of despair with rays of hope, delving into themes ranging from corruption and illusion to redemption and self-discovery. The song begins with a sparse arrangement, highlighting Dax's relaxed, almost detached vocal stylings. However, as listeners journey into the pre-chorus, they'll feel the ambiance shift, driving more emotion out of Dax, only to pull back just before an agitated delivered chorus, revealing raw disdain but wrapped up in the falsetto suggestion that “we need to go back the way we came,” hinting at the idea of simplifying our lives and potentially taking #Degrowth seriously.

Ever the inventive producer Jason Richard brings a groundbreaking edge to this track. His unique approach, including techniques such as running a drill gun on the fretboard of an electric guitar and singing into the fretboard, gives the song a distinctive resonance that's both captivating and refreshing. Richard plays bass as well as electric guitar on the song. Joe Arcidiacono, a frequent music collaborator of Dax’s (who also plays all over the LP ‘Halusanation’) adds distinct electric guitar in the second verse and in the bridge. Drums are played by musician Grant Anderson and pianist Ryan Murphy makes a cameo in verse 1 with the sparsest but effective keys cameo. Dax’s wife, Kathryn Loeffler, makes a cameo in the second verse as she echoes “forces of ruin” in an almost hushed, urgent way.

The release follows Dax's recent summer single "Wild Forces,” exploring themes of being pulled apart in all directions by forces that “warp us”. 

Dax Martinez-Vargas affirms his reputation as a multifaceted artist, unafraid to engage with complex themes and committed to pushing musical boundaries. With an affinity for a broad spectrum of genres and a consistent pursuit of originality, this latest track solidifies his standing as a dynamic and thoughtful artist. This latest track, enriched by the collaboration with Richard, solidifies their standing as a creative force to be reckoned with.

"The Dissonance is Loud” is out now on Spotify, iTunes, Apple and more. Listen to it here.