The 85 Decibel Monks are back with "Square One Hop," a release that shows they are focusing on something new instead of bringing something back. The production group is back in the commercial spotlight after twenty years. They are clear about their goals and based on the same philosophy that guided their first recordings. This is not being called a comeback. It is a continuation of a discipline that has always been there.
"Square One Hop" is based on classic hip-hop and focuses on groove, rhythm, and precision. The group's Monk Mode at 85 decibels is a way of thinking that is based on self-control, balance, and staying true to your craft. The beat is heavy but not too heavy, and it has textured percussion accents and carefully shaped soundscapes on top of it. Each part feels planned, based on basic rules that put timing and tone ahead of style.
At the center of the group are "Timothy Tack," who was born in Chicago and now lives in Iowa City, and "Chris Groves," who was born in Birmingham and is known as "Grover Beats XL the Music Provider." They work with a small group of Iowa City musicians, DJs, and audio technicians they trust to make the signal better at every stage of production. In this case, collaboration is structural, not decorative. Every contributor makes the mix stronger on purpose.
Over the years, the Monks stayed in the public eye by getting licensing deals with major cable networks and quietly improving their skills behind the scenes. Tools got better, digital tools got more powerful, and workflows got more modern. But the standards for playback that were set decades ago still set the standard for their output. The "85 dB Monk Signature Sound" is made up of vintage amplifiers, 8-track reel-to-reel tape machines, and carefully chosen plug-ins. It has a warm, grounded feel and is clearly analog at its core.
"Square One Hop" shows that the artist is ready to return to a very competitive music scene with confidence instead of nostalgia. The goal is simple: provide real entertainment value and be open to criticism. There is no reliance on show; only skill that has been honed over years of discipline and sound study.
The single is a way to reaffirm who you are. It has the spirit of Amplified Authentic flow, which is focused, intentional, and based on respect for audio tradition. With "Square One Hop," 85 decibel Monks bring the past and the present together in one steady rhythm, showing that the groove is always there.