Skrillex’s ‘Leaving’ EP turns 4 today; revisit Skrillex’s most underrated EP here

by: David Klemow Jan 3, 2017

Skrillex‘s Leaving EP arrived four years ago today. The short three-track collection came seemingly out of nowhere, and rather than kick off a new year with high-octane bass and house bulldozers like Bangarang did at the onset of 2012, it catalyzed a stylistic departure for Sonny Moore that revealed a new dimension to his artistic complexion. The EP itself is a bit mysterious; it came at a time when fans were on the edge of their seats for a full-length project rumored to be called Voltage that never came to fruition. As it goes, the surprise EP was reportedly finished in a hotel room mere hours before it hit the internet. Matching its enigmatic title with a short selection, the release left a lot of questions open about the OWSLA head’s direction for the coming year.

Leaving included a staple DJ tool that Skrillex allowed to surface live about a year prior, mashing up pieces of “Scary Monsters” and “Fucking Die,” now officially known as “Scary Bolly Dub.” The collection’s opening offering, “Reason” may be one of the best Skrillex b-sides out there. Finally, the title track laid the groundwork for a more pensive, introspective side to Skrillex’s music, paving the way for later tunes like “Fire Away” and eventually “Pretty Bye Bye.” When the EP’s tracklist is considered, albeit being short and sweet, Leaving may be Skrillex’s most underrated EP to date. Revisit it here.