Mitch Shaffer’s very brief bio describes the emerging producer as, “a 26 year-old male who will not be quitting his day job any time soon.” That’s some tough self-love. However, it is on-brand for the enigmatic young musician.
While brutally honest when assessing his own aspirations and expectations, Mitch Shaffer is also an intensely private artist. He maintains no social media accounts and limits his online presence to the major streaming platforms.
Shaffer made his professional solo recording debut in 2021 with the EP, 10B301. That record introduced a prolific producer with a jazz-infused lo-fi hip-hop sound. In just 18 months since that first record, Mitch Shaffer has delivered a remarkable volume of work. His catalog already includes a dozen EPs and collaborations with New York emcee Hus KingPin and Detroit-based rappers TrDee (from ShittyBoyz) and YoungKing YoungScoop.
Between Two Squirting Balls is the brand new album from Mitch Shaffer, released worldwide via all major streaming services on October 19, 2022. The ten-track 13:04 record is a mostly instrumental concept album of sorts, built around an aquatic theme. Even the deceptively suggestive title is actually a reference to the poolside fountains between which the musician can be seen standing on the album’s cover.
The record opens with the natural sounds of “Play Balls” before dropping on the downtempo, lo-fi chill-hop beat of “Adult Swim”. Shaffer creates a hypnotic jazz-hop groove from classic be-bop jazz samples. “No Diving” follows, shifting gears for a bit of Love Boat flavor.
On the track Mitch Shaffer offers an 80s pop/soul vibe served with ambient analog synths. The beat is provided by a smooth jazz rhythm section with a dash of lo-fi trap. “White Whale” continues that vibe but also introduces a nice Quincy Jones feel.
“Foreboding Joy” is a real high point. Shaffer paints a mesmerizing melodic portrait from female vocal samples and a glitchy hip-hop beat. Two of the album’s three ‘Breather’ interludes bookend the dreamy “Floaties” as the composer once again constructs a hypnagogic scene with vocal samples and a laid-back breakbeat. The album’s closer, “Pineapple” adds an unexpected positive spin to Mitch Shaffer’s often melancholy jam.
Check out Between Two Squirting Balls in its entirety below. You can also hear the track “Foreboding Joy” on the Deep Indie Chill playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Mitch Shaffer, and get in the loop on all of the music to come from this exciting young creator.
