Back at the controls is HD artist Patchen Preston with a peek at his long-anticipated album "Southwest Passage", releasing later this year. Patchen is resident sound designer and longtime contributor to the HD catalog since the release of Pale Blue Dot in 2007. Patchen has been in the lab creating his next full-length project; a melodically complex and synthetically inspiring collection called "Southwest Passage". A key single from this project is Night Skies, a lovely serenade to stargazing. To help celebrate the single HD boss PointBender, resident space traveler KiloWatts, and bright and budding star 1981US join to provide their unique take on the expansive night sky.

The original is a synth-driven slow burn that carefully tempers sound design with classic synth arpeggiation. Warm 8-bit melodies dance around the 4/4 construction carefully building momentum with periodic rises and reprises. PointBender ups the tempo and takes it deep with woody percussion, live bass licks, and mounting layers of atmosphere. KiloWatts breaks the beat and propels the piece into epic territories with light arpeggios broken up by processed bass tones. 1981US goes subterranean with tinges of urban tones and natural accents. A proper deep garage take on the original. Be on the lookout for more bites from the upcoming album as well as the full length available this fall.