Monopolyopolis

Monopolyopolis is the solo project of Ben Rellick, an experimental musician known for crafting layered, instrumental soundscapes using guitar, drum machine, synthesizer, and loop pedals. The project is rooted in live looping—Rellick started by borrowing a looping pedal from a friend and spent over a year experimenting with different combinations of sounds before releasing his first album, Reorient, in 2017. His music is often described as chill and atmospheric, with tracks built from textures that evolve over time, reflecting a deliberate, patient approach to composition. Monopolyopolis has also released the single Pine and the album Odds & Ends, Vol. 1, maintaining a focus on instrumental exploration and solo performance. Rellick’s work stands out for its DIY spirit and the way it pushes the boundaries of what one musician can achieve live, even though the project has mostly flown under the mainstream radar.