The Quiet That Hurts EP: What So Not & Buunshin Unite for a Sonic Journey

A collaboration that’s shaking up electronic music

This December, electronic music fans are in for a treat: Australian DJ and producer What So Not has teamed up with Dutch visionary Buunshin to release their highly anticipated collaborative project, The Quiet That Hurts EP. Dropping Friday, December 5, the EP promises a bold fusion of avant‑garde soundscapes, emotional depth, and high‑octane energy.

Already teasing listeners with singles like Threads and the luminous Dancing In The Leaves featuring Lucy Lucy, the duo has set the stage for one of the most talked‑about electronic releases of the year.

Dancing In The Leaves: A glimpse into the EP’s soul

The single Dancing In The Leaves is a perfect showcase of what makes The Quiet That Hurts EP so special. With driving beats, airy textures, and Lucy Lucy’s ethereal vocals, the track balances vulnerability with whimsy. It’s not just a song—it’s an immersion into a fleeting universe where emotion and rhythm collide.

This track follows Threads, featuring American singer‑songwriter Maiah Manser, which introduced the EP’s conceptual backbone: exploring silence, inner dialogue, and the creative void. Together, these singles hint at the EP’s ability to move seamlessly between introspection and explosive energy.

Tracklist highlights: A journey through sound

The EP unfolds like a short but powerful story:

• Threads (feat. Maiah Manser) – A soaring opener that sets the tone with emotional urgency.
• Tragic (feat. Alina Pash) – Ukrainian vocals meet pulsing beats in a track that blends vulnerability with intensity.
• Dancing In The Leaves (feat. Lucy Lucy) – Hypnotic, luminous, and deeply moving.
• The One (feat. Aiko) – A playful balance of drum and bass with melodic sparseness.
• Finale (feat. Mara Necia) – Sprawling soundscapes and narcotic beats close the EP with raw lyricism and serenity.

Each track builds on the last, creating a flow state that feels both experimental and accessible—a hallmark of What So Not and Buunshin’s artistry.

The philosophy behind The Quiet That Hurts EP

For What So Not, this project is more than music—it’s a reflection of personal growth. During the creative process, he trained with Shaolin Monks in China, exploring meditation, Kung Fu, and the concept of the “Void.”

He describes the EP as an exploration of silence and the confrontation that comes with it: “Filling our lives with unnecessary noise, placing our attention into things that don’t serve us… but the truth is, that’s where the answers lie.”

This philosophy permeates the EP, making The Quiet That Hurts not just a listening experience but a meditation on creativity and self‑discovery.

What So Not: A global innovator

Emerging in the 2010s, What So Not has become one of Australia’s most influential electronic artists. Known for blending bass, trap, and melodic hues, he’s collaborated with heavyweights like Skrillex, RL Grime, Killer Mike, and Toto.

His debut album Not All the Beautiful Things (2018) and sophomore release Anomaly (2022) cemented his reputation as a genre‑defying innovator. With over 1.3 billion streams worldwide and performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and headline shows across Europe and North America, What So Not continues to push boundaries.

Buunshin: From underground to global stage

Dutch producer Buunshin (Ferry Mellegersis) has had a meteoric rise. His first release topped Beatport’s D&B chart, and within three years, he was releasing on major labels and earning praise from legends like Skrillex, Flume, and NOISIA.

Known for breaking rules, blurring genres, and crafting nostalgic yet cutting‑edge tracks, Buunshin has performed at iconic venues like Printworks, Rampage, and Fabric. His ability to merge technical precision with emotional resonance makes him the perfect collaborator for What So Not.

Perth show: The Quiet That Hurts EP live

Fans won’t just hear the EP—they’ll feel it live. On Friday, December 28, What So Not and Buunshin will perform at Perth’s Ice Cream Factory, bringing the EP to life with a stacked lineup.

The event will feature:

• What So Not is debuting his new 4MYSANITY project
• ARIA Award‑winning duo Hermitude
• UK rising star Charlotte Plank
• And of course, Buunshin is delivering his signature sonic journey

It’s set to be one of the hottest summer events in Perth, blending cutting‑edge electronic music with festival energy.

Why The Quiet That Hurts EP matters

In a crowded electronic scene, The Quiet That Hurts EP stands out for its vulnerability, experimentation, and sheer artistry. It’s not just about beats—it’s about confronting silence, embracing creativity, and finding meaning in sound.

For fans of What So Not and Buunshin, this EP is a must‑listen. For newcomers, it’s an entry point into two of the most exciting voices in electronic music today.

Final thoughts: A sonic meditation

With The Quiet That Hurts EP, What So Not and Buunshin have crafted a project that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant. From the luminous Dancing In The Leaves to the raw finale with Mara Necia, the EP is a reminder that music can be both escapism and confrontation.

As What So Not puts it, silence can hurt—but it can also heal. And in that quiet, the answers emerge.

📌 Key details

• Dancing In The Leaves is out now
• The Quiet That Hurts EP drops Friday, December 5
• Perth live show: December 28 at Ice Cream Factory