Recess (Skrillex album)

Recording and production

The material on Recess was developed while the artist was actively touring, with writing and edits completed in hotel rooms, backstage areas and studios visited on the road. Sessions took place during international dates across the United States, Canada, South Korea and the United Kingdom, a working method that contributed to the album's varied textures. Production emphasizes dense bass design, heavily processed vocal elements and abrupt rhythmic shifts characteristic of mid-2010s electronic music.

Music, themes and collaborators

Musically, Recess alternates between aggressive, club-oriented tracks and shorter melodic or atmospheric passages. The album blends instrumental sound design with vocal hooks and features contributions from additional artists and producers; credits include guest vocal and production appearances that add different timbres across the tracklist. Thematically the record focuses more on sonic impact and rhythmic intensity than on a single lyrical concept, reflecting a priority for studio soundcraft and performance energy.

Release, singles and reception

Prominent singles tied to the project included the title track and the earlier single "Try It Out," both circulated in festival sets and club playlists prior to and after the album's release. Critical response was mixed to positive: reviews frequently praised moments of inventive sound design and high-energy production while some critics found the sequencing and stylistic jumps uneven. Commercially, the strong chart debut illustrated the mainstream visibility of electronic producers at that time.

Legacy and context

Recess marked a transition from a singles-and-EP-focused career into a conventional album format for the artist, offering a snapshot of popular electronic production approaches in the mid-2010s. For listeners and researchers seeking track-by-track credits and full personnel listings, consult the dedicated album entry: Recess.

Quick facts

• Artist: Skrillex
• Genre: electronic music (dubstep, EDM and related styles)
• Release date: March 14, 2014
• Labels: Big Beat, Asylum and Atlantic
• Recorded in part while touring in the United States, Canada, South Korea and the United Kingdom
• Notable singles: "Recess" and "Try It Out"