After spending a ton of time in the studio together, Sam Silver and ALRT have just launched their brand new project Leap 96 with the release of ‘Back It Up’ ft. Michael Aristotle. With the trajectory of these two artists reaching such massive heights, this announcement lit up the dance music world in excitement, and when listening to the single, you can really see why.
Officially dropping on the LA-based TH3RD BRAIN Records, ‘Back It Up’ delivers an electrifying blend of UK garage and high-energy dance beats, perfectly complemented by the dynamic rap prowess of Michael Aristotle. Whether you’re in the club, at a festival, or cruising in your car, ‘Back It Up’ is your ultimate anthem for summer 2024. With several more singles lined up for this project, ‘Back It Up’ also marks the debut single from the forthcoming EP titled ‘Leap 96’, slated for release on October 18th!
“I met Irad (ALRT) when I first moved out to LA and was writing and producing new material.”, Sam Silver explains. “One night, we were both at Gravity Studio in West Hollywood, where I had just started working. We instantly connected, and this was the first of many records we produced together over the past three months. We became obsessed with blending the chill, upbeat jazzy vibe of the Rhodes electric piano with pretty pluck sounds. We found a captivating sample to bring in right before the drop. Once the track was done, I added a vocal from an unreleased rap song I had cut back in NY with my good friend Michael. It took the song to another level. I always love putting the pieces together in the production process. My personal belief is that Michael made the record pop because his voice and the message of the lyrics really are cohesive.”
ALRT shares: “I remember when we just started this track, I immediately had a good feeling about it. It’s a fun, feel-good track with a lot of attitude. It works for festivals and clubs, but you can also just rock it in the car.”
“I’m honored to be a part of this song. I honestly think it’s just a fun song about being better and doing better despite whatever obstacles are in front of you.”, says Michael Artistotle. “I don’t expect everyone to get that off rip because it’s a fun song you can dance to, where you may not pay attention to the lyrics, but I’m saying some real stuff on there. That’s also why I think this song is dope all around. It’s energetic and moves any issue to the back of your mind.”
Leap 96, the brainchild of Sam Silver and ALRT, draws inspiration from the vibrant late ’90s and early 2000s rave scene, where garage and drum and bass first took hold. This collaborative project merges vocal-driven dance music that fits seamlessly into both uptempo and downtempo settings, offering a nostalgic yet fresh sonic experience.
The name Leap 96 holds special significance, representing the middle year between Sam and ALRT’s birthdays and marking a leap year. This period symbolizes the fusion of their unique musical journeys: ALRT, rooted in the prosperous old-school rave scene, and Sam, emerging from the new-age garage, rap, and ethereal house movements.
Their music marries elements of garage, rap, and drum and bass with an indie pop sensibility. This collaboration brings a perfect contemporary edge to dance music, appealing to a wide array of listeners.
Sam Silver and ALRT’s partnership began serendipitously in a Hollywood studio, co-founded by ALRT and renowned artist/producer JOYRYDE. What started as a casual co-writing session quickly evolved into an intense two-month co-production period, resulting in four powerful tracks for their upcoming EP and numerous works in progress.
