Archnemesis

Archnemesis, primarily the project of Justin Aubuchon, emerged during the peak of the American 'electro-soul' and glitch-hop movement in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Based in the US, the project became a staple of the festival circuit, frequently appearing at events like Electric Forest and Camp Bisco.

Their sound identity is defined by a rigorous sampling methodology that spans nearly a century of music, specifically focusing on early 20th-century jazz, blues, and soul. Unlike many of their contemporaries who leaned into aggressive dubstep, Archnemesis maintained a focus on groove and melodic soul, aligning them with artists like Pretty Lights and GRiZ. Their career arc saw a transition from free digital releases, which helped build a dedicated grassroots following, to more polished, cinematic long-form projects like 'Every Man For Himself'. Critical consensus highlights their ability to maintain the integrity of their samples while providing the high-energy low-end required for modern club environments. They remain a key reference point for the intersection of hip-hop production techniques and electronic dance music.