naagelatin’s “CH0P” is a sun-soaked case study in going with the flow

Emerging from Puerto Rico’s vibrant music scene, audiovisual artist and producer naagelatin, born Naa Ramírez, has recently released their latest EP, Playere. Marking a tonal shift from darker previous works, Playere embraces a sun-drenched, experimental electro soundscape driven by ambient textures and downtempo rhythms. The project was delayed in distribution but now arrives on all major streaming platforms, offering a fresh perspective on naagelatin’s evolving artistry.

Playere’s centerpiece is the track "CH0P," which encapsulates the EP’s spirit of playful experimentation. This song stands out for its combination of saturnine moods and lighthearted, almost childlike melodies, featuring naagelatin’s own unabashed vocal contributions. While their voice has appeared in earlier releases, "CH0P" foregrounds it unapologetically, signaling a newfound confidence in self-expression. The track’s eclectic, mutant reggaeton influences underscore the deep impact of Venezuelan producer Arca, an artist who has inspired Ramírez since their teenage years.

Ramírez has acknowledged the formative role that artists like Arca, Björk, and M.I.A. have played in shaping their sound and artistic identity. These influences permeate not only their music but also their creative approach, blending experimental pop with electronic innovation. Additionally, recent musical interests have led naagelatin to engage with Copenhagen’s underground alt-pop scene, drawing inspiration from minimalistic producers such as Smerz and Erika de Casier. This ongoing exploration contributes to the textured beats and stripped-back production found across Playere.

The EP was developed without a rigid conceptual framework, instead emerging organically from a spontaneous visual stimulus—a candid photograph capturing the essence of a scorching day. This image became the starting point for sequencing the tracks, allowing Ramírez to curate an auditory experience that mirrors the photo’s atmosphere. Such an approach highlights the fluid interplay between sound and image in naagelatin’s multidisciplinary practice.

Playere features a selection of tracks that vary in mood and texture. Aside from "CH0P," songs like "digestion demo" and "pedal" reflect an embrace of imperfection and rawness alongside polished production. Ramírez values these pieces for their instinctive qualities and has expressed pride in their ability to loop and enjoy these compositions for their own sake. Other tracks, such as "lithium ion battery juuce," incorporate off-kilter synth sounds and disregard traditional harmonic conventions, emphasizing feel over technical precision.

The moniker "naagelatin" originated as a random Xbox username before being recontextualized to represent Ramírez’s artistic philosophy. They describe their music as a distilled byproduct of absorbing and processing the world around them, likening it metaphorically to gelatin derived from organic materials. This idea reinforces the personal and visceral connection between creator and creation evident in their work.

Since debuting with the SoundCloud mixtape Di4L and the EP Layer 05 earlier in 2024, naagelatin has traversed genres including drum and bass, industrial techno, post-punk, noise, and hip-hop. Their participation within Puerto Rico’s queer art community has fostered collaborations, although Ramírez tends to position themselves more as an observer than an active figure within club scenes. This nuanced relationship highlights the unique challenges of translating their introspective and experimental sound to larger performance settings.

Currently, Ramírez is focused on composing music for visual media such as short films and student projects. Alongside Puerto Rican artist AV María, they are developing an experimental pop album, indicating a prolific creative output with numerous unreleased tracks in reserve. The Playere EP, with its candid and second-nature aesthetic, stands as a testament to naagelatin's commitment to embracing imperfection and pushing sonic boundaries without restraint.

Details about future releases remain limited, but Playere reflects a significant step in naagelatin’s artistic journey, blending ambient, electronic, and experimental elements into a cohesive and sunlit collection. This release further establishes Ramírez as a compelling voice in contemporary electronic music, merging DIY ethos with a sophisticated, genre-defying sound.