Max Avoidance, the electronic project of London-via-Wales producer and musician Hari Limaye, has released “Poison,” a dark, atmospheric single built from modulated bass, distorted synths, reverb-infused guitars, and an emotional yet deliberately detached vocal delivery. Out now on his own Catching Water label, the track balances underground club energy with cinematic tension, landing squarely in the territory of moody alt-electronic and late-night drive playlists.
Limaye brings a genuinely uncommon backstory to his music. For years he led a double life, balancing medical school with composing soundtracks for haute couture campaigns from houses including Hermès, Calvin Klein, and Coach, and scoring projects for Kendall Jenner, among others. That experience of existing between worlds, between discipline and creative instinct, between the clinical and the visceral, runs through everything Max Avoidance produces.
“Poison” is his third single and his most fully realised yet. “It’s a concoction of atmospheric darkwave, experimental electronic dream pop and melodic emo-rap,” Limaye says. “Not all addiction is physical, the darkest kind is emotional.” That framing gives the track its unsettling edge, a song about temptation and emotional numbness that never quite lets you feel comfortable in its atmosphere.
The single features Limaye on vocals, guitar, bass, and programming, with Christian Marc contributing guitar and backing vocals. It was mixed and engineered by Nick Brine (Oasis, Ash, The Darkness, Stereophonics, Stone Roses) at his studio in Wales and mastered by Peter Maher. That level of production craft is audible throughout. “Poison” is a cold, immersive piece of work that continues to build the Max Avoidance sonic world with real momentum and intent.