Sound perception is the brain’s way of decoding the invisible vibrations of sound waves rippling through the air. It’s a surreal dance between physics and consciousness, where sonic waves morph into meaning. One moment it’s just energy moving through space, the next, it’s music, a voice, a memory. The mind doesn’t just hear, it hallucinates sound into experience, pinpointing where it came from, what it is, and why it matters, all in a split second of time.
For AAYA, a former neuroscience student at UC Berkley turned experimental bass producer, sound is more than just a vibration but a sensation that induces movement, unlocks memories, and stirs up emotion. For, it is our perception of sound that shapes how we interpret space and time.
“When I was studying neuroscience, I was largely interested in our perceptual awareness and how it may be affected by various stimuli,” AAYA explained in an interview with The Daily Frequency.
“For example, I published an article in the Berkeley Scientific Journal regarding how different substances influence our perception of time. My favorite class that I took was ‘Music Cognition,’ which culminated in a paper on the role of spatial cues in perceiving sonic events. That being said, I am very fascinated by how we interpret sound and how we perceive this fabric of reality. This guides my sound design approach, as I try to intentionally make sounds that will take our perception ‘elsewhere.’”
This fascination with sound and its ability to shape perception is what pushed AAYA into music production and the intricacies of sound design. However, she never intended to make bass music, but just as certain frequencies instinctively make the body move, bass music pulled her in.
“I actually didn’t have the intention of making bass music in particular or any genre for that matter. I found that I initially gravitated more towards bass design, and I’ve had really amazing dancefloor moments at bass music sets. I love to dance, and I found that some of my favorite moments of dancing were at these sets. I love feeling thick basslines on sound systems!”
Backed by a scientist’s curiosity AAYA became fully immersed in bass music and the means of creating it. Approaching her productions with meticulous intent, she builds every sound from scratch, forming a sonic world of her own.
“Honestly, I feel like part of it is because it’s tricky to find other sounds that fit into my tracks the way I want them to,” she explains. “Although it is more meticulous, it ends up being easier to get everything to gel together. I also just love sound design. I always start tracks after I’ve had full sound design sessions, as that’s what generates the greatest amount of inspiration for me when it comes to producing.”
Cultivating a sound that pushes the boundaries of bass, her tracks are woven through intricate edits, magnetic leads, and thunderous basslines which manifest into a full sensory sonic experience. Of, course crafting these immersive sounds don’t come without trial and error. Armed with a relentless work ethic AAYA finds herself constantly resetting and refining her work flow.
“If I find myself approaching my tracks in a similar way for too long, I end up getting in a bit of a creative standstill,” she says. “Changing things up pretty much automatically gets me out of that state and gets my creative juices flowing again! There’s also something to be said about the experimentation that comes from switching things up. You might stumble upon certain sounds or ideas that you may not have otherwise!”
While grounded in the nature of sound, it’s not just her background in cognitive neuroscience that fuels her artistry. Raised between Egypt and Kuwait, now residing in Northern California, it’s her multicultural upbringing that forms her creative perspective and shapes her productions.
“It’s very interesting to have a Middle Eastern background while diving into music production in Northern Cali! I grew up listening to lots of Arabic music, especially when I was a little kid. This was the first music that I was ever introduced to. Arabic music places a large importance on groove and melodies. While my music doesn’t exactly sound like it has any Middle Eastern influence, I think growing up with those two driving factors has shaped my musical taste. Although I’m not making the most melodic music, it’s very important for me to have some melodic elements in addition to a solid drum groove.”
But like most innovators, her path wasn’t easy. The same upbringing that first introduced her to music also came with challenges. Yet, it’s that duality that continues to shape the emotional undercurrent of her work.
“I will say that I did face some oppression being a girl living in the Middle East. I think that some of my experiences have created a strong internal drive to spread feelings of liberation and freedom through my creative self-expression.”
Now after massive releases with labels like Gravitas Recordings, Muti Music, and Aspire Higher, AAYA has officially dropped her debut EP, Refract.
Released today, May 9 through her own label, Prizmatik Records, Refract is a dense, immersive body of work, that’s both technically complex and emotionally expansive. From the vibrant glitchy frequencies of Flip to the transcendent basslines of Transmute and the brain-tickling wubs of Squiggle, she not only highlights her cutting-edge sound design but transports listeners into a kaleidoscopic realm of vibrations.
“I wouldn’t say that there was a singular driving inspiration, as there were many,” she noted about the inspirations for the record.
“I wanted to produce an EP with a heavy sound design focus, spanning various palettes. I was also driven by trying new production methods—each track is produced using a different approach from the next. I did find a lot of inspiration from listening to experimental and glitchy music as well. Generally speaking, I find a lot of motivation from the types of experiences that you mentioned. I’ve had very profound musical moments that have definitely shaped my stylistic choices for this EP. These moments have occurred at certain sets and at Burning Man. I tried to channel the energy I felt during those highlight moments while producing the tracks for the EP.”
While each track exists in its own pocket of emotion, the project never loses its cohesion, taking you on a captivating journey designed for liberation.
“I want listeners to feel joyful, uplifted, and carefree while also feeling a sense of freedom and the momentary dissolution of all worries,” she explained. “In that, I was also striving to create some introspective moments—especially with ‘Transmute.’”
Not only does she create a journey, but each sound comes together to not just form a tangible experience but a physical space.
“I thought about this when naming my EP. I was thinking about a refraction of light—so the physical space would be vivid, colorful, and full of light. There are beautiful and intricate patterns playing off this light. It feels blissful and takes on the lightness of the appearance but also leaves room for some deeper thoughts to manifest.”
Intertwined with emotion, the balance between introspection and high-energy sounds is essential to her identity as a producer. Crafting productions that are just as meditative as they are physical, the album pulses with presence while inviting listeners inward.
“The connection to my music is quite important to me, as I feel it captures who I am and what I wish to convey as well. I love high-energy sets just as much as I love moments of deep stillness and meditation. If I don’t have moments of stillness in my day, I actually find it quite challenging to jump into that high-energy state. I think both of these natures provide very meaningful contributions. It’s also essential for me to feel grounded and connected to myself and my surroundings before I can fully let loose at a high-energy set.”
However, the power of sound goes far beyond feeling. For AAYA, sound is a vehicle for healing, transformation, and even revelation.
“I think sound plays a large role in healing and transformation,” she says. “It’s known that there are various frequencies that can actually heal physical and spiritual ailments! I’ve also experienced a lot of healing and transformation firsthand from being immersed in many sets—I feel that being on the dancefloor allows me to ‘transmute’ any negative energy I may be subconsciously holding into something more positive. I’ve also received downloads and lessons while listening to music, leaving the experiences feeling truly healing and rejuvenating.”
And, while the question of whether sound is conscious remains open, she doesn’t shy away from exploring it.
“I think vibrations are integral to consciousness at large. And since sound is a series of vibrations, I think the same would be true here. Sound often very much feels like it comes alive too! Although I don’t know if it is conscious in and of itself, I think the structural qualities of sound form the basis of consciousness in the Universe.”
With the release of Refract, AAYA has cemented herself as one of the latest innovators in electronic music but of course, her debut EP is just the beginning. As we move towards 2025 she aims to continue evolving in both bass music and beyond.
“There will be lots of experimentation,” she explained. “I want to continue to develop my sound without sticking to any particular genre.”
Keep up with AAYA and stream her debut EP Refract.