New Work Collective ONE by Mash Waves Music: A Journey Through Sound and Soul
Man, if you’re into electronic music with a twist of New Wave and Ambient vibes, New Work Collective ONE is the kind of album that sneaks up on you. Released in 2012 by Australian label Mash Waves Music, this record feels like a love letter to experimentation—crafted almost entirely by one dude, Daniel Soffner. From designing the cover to mixing, mastering, writing, arranging, engineering, producing—you name it—he wore all the hats. And honestly? It shows, but not in a bad way. This thing’s got personality for days.
Let me just say—I’ve listened to this album more times than I care to admit, and two tracks keep pulling me back like magnets: "Scorpion" and "Disappear." They’re polar opposites, but both hit hard in their own weird ways.
“Scorpion” kicks off with this moody bassline that crawls under your skin right away. There’s something hypnotic about how the synths swirl around, like they’re trying to lull you into a trance while also keeping you on edge. It’s dark, brooding, and kinda cinematic—it makes me think of late-night drives through empty streets where everything feels too quiet yet alive at the same time. The rhythm builds so subtly, layer by layer, until it’s practically pulsing through your veins. You don’t even realize it’s happening until you’re fully submerged. It’s haunting, man. Haunting in the best possible way.
Then there’s “Disappear,” which flips the script completely. Where “Scorpion” is shadowy and intense, this track is lighter, dreamier—an escape hatch from reality. The ambient textures float around like clouds, soft and weightless, but there’s still this underlying tension that keeps you hooked. Listening to it feels like drifting off into space, watching Earth shrink smaller and smaller behind you. By the time those echoing melodies kick in, you’re already gone, lost in some other dimension. It’s peaceful but unsettling, like staring at the ocean when the sun dips below the horizon. Beautiful, sure, but also kinda lonely.
What really gets me about this album is how cohesive it feels despite its range. Every track has its own vibe, but together, they create this sprawling, immersive world. Like, Daniel didn’t just throw songs together; he built an experience. You can tell he poured himself into every second of it, obsessing over details most people wouldn’t notice. That level of dedication? Respect.
But here’s the kicker: knowing that one person did everything on this album blows my mind. Like, what even is Daniel Soffner—a superhero disguised as a musician? Or maybe just someone who couldn’t sleep unless every note was exactly how he wanted it. Either way, hats off to him.
So yeah, New Work Collective ONE isn’t perfect—it doesn’t need to be. What it does do is stick with you long after the last note fades. If you’re looking for background noise, skip this. But if you want music that grabs hold of your soul and won’t let go, give it a shot. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself zoning out during work meetings because you’re stuck thinking about scorpions or disappearing into space.
Oh, and fun fact: Daniel probably spent more time tweaking these tracks than I have sleeping this month. Makes you wonder what else he could’ve been doing with his life… nah, kidding. Glad he made this instead.
