Anthony Menzia has never been one to color inside the lines, and his latest release, “Electro Grunge,” makes that abundantly clear from the first beat drop. The prolific electronic artist, whose catalog already includes off-kilter cuts like “Wonky Hop,” takes his sound in a heavier, murkier direction here — trading polished dancefloor sheen for something that sounds like a modular synth having a very productive existential crisis.

True to its title, “Electro Grunge” splits the difference between two genres that, on paper, shouldn’t share a room. Menzia layers distorted low-end textures and dirt-caked synth lines over crisp electronic percussion, conjuring the swagger of ’90s alt-rock without ever picking up a guitar. It’s the kind of record that would feel right at home blasting out of a warehouse show speaker stack — or a cracked car stereo somewhere on I-94.

What makes the release land is Menzia’s restraint. Rather than piling on effects, he lets each track breathe, giving the grit room to sit in the mix. The result is a project that feels lived-in and confident, expanding on the experimental instincts he’s flashed across previous releases while carving out a distinct new lane.

For fans of producers who treat genre labels as loose suggestions, “Electro Grunge” is essential listening. Stream the full release below and dig into one of the more adventurous electronic projects to surface this year.

https://anthonymenzia.bandcamp.com/album/electro-grunge?from=discover_page