The Los Angeles-based band untitled (halo) has unveiled their latest single, “aimee lou wood freestyle,” a track that masterfully blends shoegaze, alternative rock, rap, and electronic production. This new music, born from creative tension and influenced by the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles, serves as the opening statement for their self-titled debut album, slated for release on November 6th via Dirty Hit. The song’s unique sonic texture and iterative structure draw parallels to the work of avant-garde composer William Basinski, particularly his seminal album, ‘The Disintegration Loops.’
The Philosophy of Repetition and Collapse
Jay Are, drummer and producer for untitled (halo), sees repetition not just as a musical device but as a fundamental methodology, akin to Basinski’s exploration of degradation in ‘The Disintegration Loops.’ Basinski famously documented the physical breakdown of magnetic tape containing his early recordings, transforming the process of decay into art. His project, completed shortly before the September 11, 2001, attacks, captured the sound of collapse, where the very act of playing the music led to its sonic deterioration. Are reflects this concept, noting, “Whenever you hear something being repeated so many times, it gives it a different texture.” He elaborates on this physical deterioration, suggesting that “there’s that level of deterioration physically,” even as he admits to not wearing earplugs during production, perhaps embracing the sonic wear and tear.
A Collaborative Genesis
untitled (halo) comprises Jay Are, Ariana Mamnoon, Jack Dione, and Nicholas Noneman. While the band has released two EPs since their 2023 debut single, “limewire,” they have largely been developing their sound through live performances over the past two years, supporting acts such as bar italia, The Hellp, Alison’s Halo, and DIIV. The single’s title, “aimee lou wood freestyle,” was conceived by Dione, inspired by the English actress Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus,’ a series he was engrossed in during the spring of 2025. The track itself was recorded around March 2025, marking a frenetic announcement of the quartet’s arrival. It embodies the project’s core ethos: a deep commitment to collaboration intertwined with a fascination for disintegration.
Sonic Influences and Creative Process
Ariana Mamnoon reveals that the song initially began as a rap track, a foundation that largely remains. “Originally, it was just gonna be a rap song, which a lot of it still is,” she states. The track’s distinctive jerk beat originated from Dione’s experiments, influenced by artists like xaviersobased and fakemink. “We were just listening to a lot of xaviersobased and fakemink at the time,” Dione recalls. “Every time all of us would DJ, we would always play ‘LV Sandals.'” This track, by EsDeeKid, inspired Are’s approach to looping: “It’s the same sample repeating, but then it switches up just ever so slightly.” While untitled (halo)’s loops don’t necessarily disintegrate in the same vein as Basinski’s work, they do break down, revealing new sonic layers. Mamnoon’s vocals, described as a “dream cadence antidote to the raps Dione is about to lay down,” provide a guiding force. Her opening line, “tear it all apart,” sets a tone of deconstruction and reconstruction.
Metabolizing Modern Life
The fragmentation within “aimee lou wood freestyle” reflects not only the individual strengths of the band members but also the experience of four young people navigating a world steeped in atomization. Their shared upbringing in Southern California, coupled with a common taste in music, film, and art, informs their collaborative process. “I feel like the way that we make music is always going to be a complete reaction to our lives, emotions and surroundings,” Dione explains. “Especially with LA, specifically, as a backdrop, we interpret that in such a strange way. It just kind of makes sense that it sounds disjointed and upset and angsty.” This sonic disjointedness can be seen as a contemporary echo of Basinski’s real-time disintegration, yet it also underscores the profound bond within the band.
A Testament to Collaboration
The members emphasize the personal and professional growth derived from their collaboration. Nicholas Noneman, who officially joined the band after the debut album’s recording, shares, “Learning from each other’s strengths has been one of the most valuable things that I think I’ve ever experienced. I haven’t encountered something like this, it’s truly beautiful.” Mamnoon adds, “We’re basically a team. In all ways.” “aimee lou wood freestyle,” even as its elements begin to break apart, serves as a powerful testament to the strength found in unity amidst a world that often feels like it’s falling apart. As untitled (halo) embarks on their journey, this debut single suggests that even in disintegration, togetherness offers a profound sense of beginning.
