Brodinski’s new album is called The Sinkhole, which is fitting. The distorted kick drums that propel many of the tracks on the record sound like they could collapse a highway. The French producer made the project in Miami, and it has a humid, apocalyptic feeling that suits that environment. It’s music to cruise around the city at night, one eye on the road and another on your rivals; it’s the soundtrack to the movie we’ve all been writing in our heads, a composite of our hopes and fears and media inputs. 

The record is simply Brodinski’s latest entry into a vast, eclectic catalog. He’s made techno and electro in the classic French mold; he’s co-produced tracks on Yeezus; and he’s spent years in Atlanta working with rappers including Hoodrich Pablo Juan and Lil Reek. Released by the Amman, Jordan-based label Drowned By Locals, The Sinkhole combines all the above histories into a record that bangs in a foreboding way. We caught up with Brodinski—read our interview, and listen to the record below.

You spent a summer in Miami working on The Sinkhole. How did the culture of that city inspire the music you were making?

That’s right, yeah, last summer I had the chance to stay at a friend’s place down in Miami and was able to work on The Sinkhole. I was definitely inspired by the environment in my creative process. I love this city and it’s definitely different from where I’m coming from in France. I couldn’t say precisely how it did inspire the music concretely but the whole mood makes you create differently. 

What was your studio setup like in Miami? How were you building tracks? 

So I actually have no studio setup. I work from my laptop with earplugs most of the time. On a kitchen counter or in the back of a car—I will always choose the most random spots. I did most of the EP on the balcony of my friend’s apartment, contemplating the skyline light show at night. 

What was a typical day like for you in Miami?

To be honest, like everywhere else in the world. I’m just trying to get my day going and make some music. It’s a privilege to be able to travel and do this in different places. 

There’s also a shirt collaboration component to the release. How did that come about?

Laith from Drowned by Locals told me about the idea and I was definitely into it. They took care of the design and the production, involving a team of incredibly talented people along the way. I’m definitely proud of the result and think it fits with the music as well. 

What about the cover art? 

I really love what Drowned by Locals have been doing in terms of artistic direction so I trusted Laith with his suggestion and input. He came around and told me that he wanted to ask Ian for this cover and after getting familiar with his dope work I was into it! After Ian came back to us with something we loved, Laith Suggested my friend and longtime collaborator Babybrush could do a font for the title, which turned into the final result, which I’m really satisfied with. It came through easily and perfectly. 

You’ve spent a fair amount of time working in Atlanta. Do you have any thoughts on the state of the Atlanta rap scene? How are Atlanta and Miami alike? How are they different?

Yes, I do and the rap scene is still thriving over there. A lot of young people are coming up right now, and they are super creative and talented. It’s been a place where trends have started for the last 15 years and it’s not going to stop now. Miami as well has an incredible scene of course. Now a whole new sound is coming up out of Florida and it’s recognized nationwide. Both cities are really different, though, and I don’t know Miami well enough to compare them. 

Do you have a favorite city to work out of? 

Everywhere works really. I’m lucky enough to be able to travel and get different sources of inspirations for my music, and it also makes me able to meet with producers and artists from all over. The goal would be to do it for as long as I can. 

Any new music exciting you at the moment?

Of course. I always listen to some new music. I really love O Lethe’s new EP, the new Zaliva-D album, also the new project from my friend Xzavier Stone. I can also recommend Skuffle’s new EP and Sub 9K, Paco Panama, Big Yaya, Wizz Havin and Skrilla’s New mixtapes/albums.