Portland-based electronic producer FENRA has officially released his sophomore EP Chicago, which dropped on 13 March 2026 via Base Layer Records. Arriving with its standout focus track, “Chicago PM,” the project sees the rising artist pushing his creative boundaries while revisiting familiar ground from a fresh perspective.
Originally premiered by tastemaker platform Soundspace, the EP builds on the foundation of his earlier work, transforming elements from his debut EP Delusional into something entirely new.
Reimagining a Single Idea Three Different Ways
At the core of Chicago lies an ambitious concept: taking the stems from the original track “Chicago” and reshaping them into three distinct sonic experiences. Each track explores a different mood and direction, while still remaining connected to the DNA of the original composition.
“Chicago AM” leans into expansive, cinematic textures, unfolding slowly with a sense of space and atmosphere. On the opposite end, “Chicago REM” drifts into more abstract territory, embracing dreamy, almost surreal soundscapes.
The EP’s centrepiece, “Chicago PM,” shifts the focus firmly onto rhythm. Driven by tight, looping percussion and forward momentum, the track builds steadily into a hypnotic groove – showcasing just how far the original material can be stretched without losing its identity.
From Church Hymns to Global Stages
Behind the FENRA alias is producer B Laws, whose musical journey started in Santa Rosa, California. Early exposure to harmony came through church hymns, before he taught himself guitar at 14 and later explored synths, vocals and drums in bands that toured across the US, Europe and Asia.
Now based in Portland, Oregon, he’s channeling that diverse background into a sound that feels both cinematic and deeply personal.
Influences That Shape the Sound
FENRA’s music draws from an eclectic mix of electronic pioneers and composers, blending the textures of artists like Caribou, Four Tet, Floating Points, Bonobo and DJ Koze with the minimalist sensibilities of Philip Glass.
The result is a genre-blurring approach that balances club-ready rhythms with introspective, atmospheric elements – something that’s clearly on display throughout Chicago.
A Creative Experiment That Paid Off
What started as a simple experiment evolved into a fully realised project. By reworking a single track into multiple interpretations, FENRA has managed to showcase both his technical skill and creative range.
“The EP started as an experiment,” he explains. “I wanted to see how far the same source material could be pushed – whether it could become cinematic, club-driven or something more abstract, while still feeling connected.”
You can stream/download the EP HERE.
A Strong Step Forward
With Chicago, FENRA proves he’s not interested in playing it safe. Instead, he’s exploring the edges of his sound – pulling apart ideas and rebuilding them into something new.
It’s a confident, forward-thinking release that positions him as one to watch in the evolving electronic music space.
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