Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo Test House Music's Limits With Anti Up's Bold Debut Album, "What Is Life"
In a move that caught almost everyone off guard, Coachella's 2024 lineup included a surprising act: Anti Up. After a two-year hiatus, house music enthusiasts were left wondering what the duo of Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo had in store.
They then confirmed their long-awaited debut album was complete just prior to Coachella's start before closing out the festival's Mojave stage on its first day, premiering an entirely new set filled with both Anti Up hits and unreleased music presumed to be on the album. Now, almost seven months later, What is Life is out now.
It doesn't take long to reaffirm the fact that Lake and Lorenzo are among today's leading producers of house music. The album is a microcosm of their deep understanding of the genre's roots as well as their innovative approaches to arrangement and sound design, which consistently test house music's boundaries.
Chris Lorenzo (L) and Chris Lake (R) performing as Anti Up at the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Inspired by their roots in British club culture, the bold and unapologetically raw album was crafted for warehouses, dark dancefloors and the 4am crowd. It starts with its explosive titular track, where Anti Up set the stage by lacing rhys from the sticks' distorted vocals through a gritty rhythm and pulsing bassline.
Recommended Articles
Tape B Drops Highly Anticipated EP, "Distortion Theory"
The eight-track EP comprises immensely popular tracks from Tape B's live performances.
Inaugural "Destination Unknown" Festival to Bring Chicago's Timeless House Music to Tulum
Featuring headliners like Green Velvet and Felix da Housecat, it's the best of both worlds: the grit and soul of Chicago's timeless house music meets the sultry allure of Tulum.
Electric Forest Reveals 2025 Lineup With Justice, Tiësto, Sara Landry and More
FISHER, Liquid Stranger and Of The Trees are also set to headline, among others.
Another highlight is "Revolution," which offers a refreshing change of pace from the album's darker, more intense production. Featuring NCognita, the hip-hop crossover eschews the pounding energy of its predecessors, opting instead for an upbeat, breakbeat-inspired beast.
Turning back to rhys from the sticks, "Holding On" is an undeniable standout and arguably the album's best. In contrast to "What Is Life," where the vocalist delivers a more aggressive and brash performance, he adopts a more contemplative tone.
Here, Lake and Lorenzo close their album by skillfully weaving his soulful vocals with a beautiful piano melody, encouraging us to wake up and embrace the existentialist idea that life can be filled with joy if you live it authentically. To that end, What Is Life compellingly dares us to embrace life's highs and lows with an undertow of resilience.
Listen to the new album below and find it on streaming platforms here.
Follow Anti Up:
X: x.com/antiupmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/antiupmusic
TikTok: tiktok.com/@antiupmusic
Facebook: facebook.com/antiupmusic
Spotify: spoti.fi/3befOuZ
