Barclay Crenshaw Bares His Soul in Debut Album, "Open Channel"

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When Claude VonStroke first made his transition to Barclay Crenshaw, fans had no idea what to expect. But with the release of his debut album, he has bared his soul.

Open Channel is a bold departure for Crenshaw. Through each of its 10 tracks, he takes us through an eclectic listening experience that flows masterfully between experimental bass, dub and funk, without any genre taking center stage.

Open Channel is delightfully unpredictable, expertly weaving through a wide palette of bass-centric sounds while keeping the production cohesive throughout. One moment you’re hearing the grumbling, low-end heavy sounds of “King of Monsters” and then next you’re getting down to the groovy beat of “The Quiet Storm.”

While transitioning to a new project is never easy, Crenshaw has done it with the gravitas of a seasoned dance music vet. Though his music may be entirely different than his wonky Dirtybird house music as Claude VonStroke, he’s stepped into something that feels just as personal. If his previous success is any indicator, Crenshaw will be a mainstay in experimental bass music for years to come.

“I’m full focused, dialed in and ready to go,” he said in an intimate op-ed penned for EDM.com in late-2023. “I switched to my real name, Barclay Crenshaw, and went back to my roots in bass music and I couldn’t be happier or more excited than right now.

You can listen to Open Channel below and find the new album on streaming platforms here.