Born Nabhanyu Chiluveru, recording artist and producer Autobhan is best known for his work in the electronic duo HYDRABADD. Acclaimed citywide, Autobhan and fellow beatmaker Yung Skrrt crafted expansive chill-trap soundscapes that boasted features from ABRA and earned the pair national press from Complex, The Needle Drop, and more. Although HYDRABADD separated in 2016, the project served as a springboard for Chiluveru solo career. From early affiliations with superstar Russ to his collaboration with Das Racist frontman Heems, Autobhan has continued to make waves and evolve in all sorts of intriguing ways.
On his new six-track album, Final Form, Autobhan manages to flip yet another switch. Though tagged as an EP on Spotify, the record offers the immersive listening experience of a full length. (On a side note: aren’t LPs shorter these days, anyway? Didn’t Kanye drop not one, but two seven-track albums? And if one track makes or breaks classification… then well…)
In any case, the modern and bright “Skeleton Key,” a sonic outlier and the fourth track on the album, holds its own against any Atlanta trap song currently flooding the airwaves. The rest of the record—especially the Hazi Hakani produced “Big Dipper”—is most interested in the crisp beats and lush atmospheres the artist cut his teeth on back in the day. “There is a certain dark, romantic, opulent mood that gets evoked when you listen to the whole album in one sitting,” Autobhan notes, and I couldn’t agree more.
Recently, Immersive Atlanta caught up with Autobhan to discuss the making of Final Form, his transition from HYDRABADD to solo artist, and what the future holds in store.
Cover art for Final Form
When did you first start making this album?
I started working on Final Form in June of 2019, so it’s been a while in the making.
In the past, you’ve only released EPs. Why now for the debut album?
I decided to make an album because it’s a way to paint a whole sonic picture as opposed to a few songs here and there. There is a certain dark, romantic, opulent mood that gets evoked when you listen to the whole album in one sitting.
You’ve had a long road in music… how has it been transitioning from being in HYDRABADD to becoming Autobhan?
It hasn’t been easy to transition between HYDRABADD to Autobhan. Nothing prepares you for the world of doing vocals. When you’re rapping or singing, you have a lot more responsibility, weirdly. Everyone is counting on you to bring the best product, and mentally that’s hard to do. You have to get the gears in motion.
Where were you at musically when you started working on Final Form?
The whole album is really about delusions of grandeur. I realized that about halfway through the album because I got out of a nasty relationship at the time. I think that’s an honest experience for the listener—hearing my confidence, my heartbreak, and then building myself back up.
What was the first song you made for the album?
The first song I made was “Big Time.” Some people might think the mix is messy or lo-fi, but then they hear that the other tracks have that super clean ‘expensive’ mixdown. That’s because the texture itself was the inspiration for the whole Final Form album. There is something so beautiful about the original recording that can’t be replicated. You can even hear a bird outside my window. The song is really about doing drugs with my ex-girlfriend. At first, it was fun, but then it really caused me to have very severe depression.
What was the last song you made for the album?
“Danny Phantom” was the last record I made.
Technically speaking, what equipment was used to make this album?
I made the whole album on Ableton with a regular Scarlett Focusrite and NT1A. Nothing fancy, but the masters sound icy thanks to my close friend and engineer Brainstorm. This is the second project where he engineered it all the way through. I’m proud of being able to do everything in-house.
When did you realize the album was done?
I realized I was done when the other tracks I was making didn’t really fit with the originals I made. At a certain point, the sonic cohesion isn’t there.
What was the vision for the art behind this album?
The art was an extensive and challenging process. My slime Taste Tester, aka Spaghetti Jay, was the one that helped me create this masterpiece. We had to take some pictures of myself, which were rendered by someone in Russia. Then, later on, Sam had to animate my avatar, take a ‘picture’ of me in 3D, and then edit the environment in Photoshop. Overall, the concept revolves around “Big Time.” I loved WWF growing up. It’s an allegory for me always wanting to make it big in the music industry. The blood, fire, and lighting are like the crucible. The energy drink on the big screen says, “Final Form.” The key to success, finding the most glowed up version of you.
What inspired this album?
I will always be inspired by new Atlanta rappers. My music doesn’t sound like Atlanta 100%. Perhaps 70%. That’s the art in what I do, in my opinion. That is why I have been able to work with a lot of rappers. People like it when you don’t sound like them.
What is your favorite thing about the music industry?
You can start idolizing someone and then eventually be in the same room with that person or even working with them. It’s insane what believing in yourself can lead too.
Will we see music videos from this project?
We will definitely be seeing some IMAX presentations.
What are your thoughts on Atlanta from a musical point of view?
People respect art in this city. That’s the currency, that’s not just the music and videos. Thirty other things need to be on point. That makes it way more fun and gives you a longer career. You go to other cities, and people barely care about music.
What is your personal favorite song on the album?
This is a tough one, you’re killing me. Sheesh, I have to give you two: “Big Time” and “4AM.”
If you could work with anybody in music, who would you work with?
Lil Baby.
What’s been the craziest thing to happen to you while you’ve been an artist?
Meeting the legend Sway from “Sway in the Morning.” I used to see him every day on MTV growing up interviewing Kanye, Young Thug, etc.
Why is dropping the album during quarantining and COVID-19 the right move for you?
COVID-19 is very scary, but I think people can use some music and entertainment at the moment. If they can catch a vibe to my music or looking at the album art and have a rush of serotonin, that would be nice in these dark times. I’ve been working on this album for a year, so originally, I wanted to put it out around this time near my birthday, which is April 25th.
What’s next for you?
I’m cooking as we speak. I have to make videos and more songs!
More Info
Bandcamp: autobhan.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @AutobhanTMG
Instagram: @autobhantmg
Twitter: @AutobhanTMG