Tephra – Process EP cover art

Emerging from the murky depths comes Tephra, bringing three cuts straight from the deep side of drum and bass: The Procceses EP on InReach Records. Effortlessly blending creative beat patterns with his signature sound design, Tephra solidifies his reputation as a pioneer in the genre. Bringing new talent along Paolo, each track is densely layered in fresh and creative ways that take the genre in exciting new directions.

The title track “Processes” opens the release, with a choppy rhythm fine-tuned to perfection that gives the song its unique surging vibe. Once the throbbing sub enters, the track becomes a hypnotic wall of sound that overtakes the senses. A haunting FX-laden motif swirls throughout the song, bringing out the ominous mood that bubbles incessantly in the background.

The first of two collabs featuring Paolo, a soothing yet melancholic atmosphere dominates the beginning of “Never Look Back.” Metronomic clicks of a hat and a pulsing kick ebb and flow, building the tension into the drop – and this one hits with the force of a black hole. With an airy vocal that perfectly offsets the earth-shaking bassline, this one is an addictive adventure you will want to go on again and again.

“Rotation” features the bass warbling’s, chunky drums, and intricate shuffle patterns that are hallmarks of Tephra’s sound with Paolo adding his own deft touch to the mix. The tough rhythm of the tune is a force of nature, with plenty of echo drenched vocals and shifting layers that are bewildering to behold. The song is relentless in its pacing, cementing its singular sound that echoes in your head long after it over.

Out now via the InReach Records Bandcamp and most major platforms, cop this one stat!

Compiler “Return” cover art

Seeing the next wave of ingenious producers create fresh tunes that defy logic is mesmerizing. Whether it’s a gritty evil bassline that makes the hair on your arm stand up, to clever ways of fusing disparate elements you never expected to sound good together, there is always something on the horizon ready to subvert all expectations we have. Compiler is one such producer with a proven track record of putting out tracks that sound like nothing you have heard before; his latest, Return on Lost the Plot Recordings is three mind-bending tracks of massive proportions.

The title track opens up the release, with waves of warbling atmospherics blended into the rising rhythm of the drums. The drop hits with the force of a black hole, instantly sucking you into its wobbly orbit. The hard snap of the snare and the fuzzed out staccato motif fling you back and forth like a rag doll, with the repetitive vocal refrain cementing the vibe even further.

“Do While” forges into a totally new direction; it starts off with an ominous character and driving drums reminiscent of the previous tune. But it takes a left turn as it lays down a fierce broken rolling rhythm that has all the weight of a jackhammer. There is no doubt that everyone on the dancefloor will be headbanging to this tune.

Delivering the final blow is the shellshock of “Break.” There is no way to prepare for the gravity defying weight of the sub or menacing thrash of the drums. Underlying all of this is expertly crafted bass howls and gritty textures, with intricately designed hat shuffles that drive the mutant explorations deeper into unknown territory.

Out now via Beatport, this is a release you definitely do not want to sleep on!

Acid Lab cover art

Experimental tendencies are a defining aspect to the world of bass music. This is a genre devoted to pushing the limits, exploring new sounds, and fusing disparate elements together in order to create fresh tunes that take your breath away. Counterpoint Recordings is fueled by this drive, routinely delivering releases that defy expectations in a whirlwind fashion. Their latest release brings the experimental flavorings of Acid Lab, with three sprawling tracks pulling from elements across the history of music.

“Funk Tune” opens the release with rich atmospheric pads and a rising drum pattern, carrying us into the earth-shattering drop. With a hard-hitting melodic hook and addictively deep bassline, the driving energy of the tune is infectious. Pulling from the past and fusing it with the future in one fell swoop, this is a serious smasher you can’t resist stepping to.

Taking things into darker territory, the blasts of gritty bass and choppy rhythms of “Nero” enter next. Acid Labs jungle chops are on full display here, with a heavy alternating bassline perfectly counterpointing the wild abandon of the hat section. This creates a push and pull effect with extreme dynamic range, from the crisp snap of the snare to the insanely deep bassline that overtakes the senses.

Last comes “Say What,” a haunting tune filled with meandering atmospherics and mind-bending rhythms. The surging vibe of the drum pattern drives the song forward, with layers of vocal samples and ghostly harmonics dotting the soundscape. Colliding together, the intense vibe of the song launches the mind into outer space while weighing down the body like lead.

Out now on all major platforms, grab it ASAP!

Eidolon EP cover art

There is power in music; it has the ability to completely alter one’s mood, or blow the mind wide open with its possibilities. Drum and bass occupy a unique space in this regard due to its twin pursuits of organic sounds and technical precision. At the forefront of this stands Dispatch Recordings, a label that has consistently delivered on this through releases by heavyweights such as Amoss, Black Barrel, Fre4knc, Kid Drama, Philth, and so many more. With the Eidolon EP by Invadhertz and Ephyum, we get a rewarding journey deep into the heart of the genre.

Starting off the EP is the melancholic beauty of “Escapism,” a driving number that reaches deep inside your soul and takes it on a wild rollercoaster ride. With the hypnotic shuffle of the hat section driving the song forward, the bass and synth motifs dance around each other with reckless abandon. A longing soulful sample adds even more depth, creating a shifting soundscape that give the song its signature character.

Ominous sub bass opens up “Deadlock,” as it methodically amps up the tension into a fever pitch. Featuring a hard rolling vibe, the intensity never lets up; instead, the rhythmic backbone keeps the energy surging as melodic growls and sudden stabs of FX create a nonstop torrent of sound. While always on the verge of overwhelming the senses completely, it rides that line with extreme precision that reveals intricate attention to detail.

“Eidolon” itself rears its massive head next, a massive force of nature designed to rip apart any sound system. Every element of this tune is directed towards this end, from the subterranean sub bass that grips the body to the incessant slap of the warbling FX. Even the crack of the snare further compounds the feeling that a monster from the deep has been released into the world.

Closing out the release is the infectious groove of “Lantern.” Bringing out their minimal chops, this is a heater propelled by otherworldly synths that slither into the brain as the sinister force of the bassline invades every cell in the body. The producers have crafted an impressive tune that permanently seeps in your memory and won’t be leaving anytime soon.

Out now on all major platforms, this is one for the books you need to add to your collection today!

Xolyx cover art

Swirling soundscapes fused with intricate shuffle patterns form the backbone of drum and bass, giving rise to ingenious combinations from producers across the world. From the menacing blasts of noise that define the dark side of the genre to the blissful chatter of the hat section which drive the soulful side, there is a never-ending search for new and exciting blends. Mob Recordings is a label pursuing this with fervent passion, featuring some of the most innovative talent around such as Wingz, Dis:turbed, Hickupz, Medusa, Dubruvvas, and many more. Their latest comes from the fascinating new talent known as Xolyx, the Ripples Ep.

Starting out with beautifully textured atmospherics, a constant warping FX motif, and a crisp drum section, “Ripples” instantly induces a trance. The drop slides effortlessly into the song, further developing the soothing sensation that defines it. Using sporadic growls of noise, it blends the dark and light, pushing the genre into an exciting new direction.

“Abyss” explores the deepest reaches of the sub-bass frequency, using an infectious shuffle pattern to counterpoint that vibrational force. The composition of the tune is mind-boggling, creating subtle dynamic shifts that take you on an intense journey of sound. With limitless textures to pour over, this is a track that will surprise you every time it comes through the speakers.

The savage blast of a snare drum launches the fury of “Happen.” The rhythm combined with a repetitive vocal sample wind up the energy to a fever pitch; then the drop hits and the song warps into a ferocious rolling vibe that takes no prisoners. The winding bassline worms its way into your brain, as the different elements echo and combat each other at lightning speed.

Out now via Beatport, this is a massive release you need to cop stat!

SMB cover art

Despite being an electronic form of music, drum and bass has long been held in high esteem for its organic sounds and approach to composition. Since it tends to feature ghost notes, off-rhythms, and live samples, there is often an unpredictable human element to its material that enables the genre to push forward into new territories.

Terra Firma is a label that prominently focuses on this side of the genre, with releases grounded in authentic expression and ingenious rhythmic creations. With a dynamic range of sounds, from deep soulful liquid to gritty minimal textures, they routinely push the envelope in every way imaginable. Their latest release features rising talent SMB, with two massive sluggers Intoxication/Helix.

“Intoxication” sets the ominous vibes with mutated vocals that quickly place you into a trance.
As the kick builds the tension, the atmosphere intensifies to a fever pitch as the drop hits with massive force. The vocals continue relentlessly, as grinding blasts of noise and piercing melodic stabs infiltrate your mind. The constant swirling layers of the tune are endless, revealing his talent for creating singular soundscapes.

A throbbing vibrating bassline drives “Helix,” with a steady rhythm section providing a tough as nails foundation for the tune. The menacing overtones of the track are overwhelming, with swirling layers of glitchy fx and crunchy bass growls further establishing the apocalyptic vibe of the tune. The final nail in the coffin comes in the form of its fierce lyrics, with rapid fire delivery that adds a piercing sense of dread to the track.

Out now via Beatport and the Terra Firma Bandcamp outlet, SMB provides ample proof he is one to watch on this release. Don’t sleep on this one!

Dunk cover art

It is endlessly fascinating how music constantly adapts and evolves; there is always something new and groundbreaking just around the corner. Context Audio is a label dedicated to pushing this envelope as hard as they can, featuring a discography that is as diverse as it is distinctive. From deep atmospheric explorations to straight out savage workouts, each release keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat. The Black Box EP by Dunk is no exception, featuring five tracks that will make your head spin.

The ominous tones and metronomic click of “Danger Alert” start the album off, with a frenetic shuffle increasing the tension until the massive force of the drop hits. The song launches into a potent whirlwind, continuing to build tension as the hat section swerves in and out of focus. With exquisite levels of sound design, this one is a true force of nature that sucks you in instantly.

“Freak Me Out” is a ferocious driving tune with a thick chunky snare laying down the toughest of vibes, a sub that dominates the underworld, and a hypnotic torrent of gritty motifs. Calling forth the hard-edged origins of the genre and fusing that with the precision of the modern studio, it takes no prisoners as it destroys any notion of boundaries.

Going deeper down the wormhole, “Brain Damage” is a singular tune that showcases the dynamic range of the dark and minimal side of DnB. With mind melting FX, an infectious groove, and razor-sharp precision, it’s a densely layered tune that will always leaving you craving for more. This is a wild and incredibly invigorating tune that is set to demolish any speaker system it comes into contact with.

The title track, “Black Box,” roars in next. Working with the vibe established thus far and mutating it even further, this song focuses on the overwhelming potential of the earth-shattering sub. The vibration of the bass is fearsome, as it threatens to overwhelm you completely. A punchy kick and snare help drive the effect further, as the waves of fuzz mesmerize you into submission.

Laslty, we get a remix of the title tune by none other than Manual himself. Taking the massive weight of the last track and adding his own penchant for throbbing wobbles, he creates a massive soundscape that shifts into a frenzied onslaught of sound. The pacing of the rhythm leaves you breathless, as the intensity only amps up harder and faster as the track progresses to a close.

This is a stellar release, crafting five tracks that speak to the casual fan as well as the most devout listener with its ingenious compositions and attention to detail. Cop this asap via Beatport and the Context Audio Bandcamp!

Electric Conversation cover- art

House music, along with techno, is a fascinating genre with a rich history; from the first creation of the well-known four to the floor beat, to its steady rise in popularity, and all the way down to refining and evolving over time. Kaleidoscope Productionsis a label bringing out some of the best forward thinking House music to date, along with a clear understanding of the past. The latest addition to the label, Alixander Raczkowski, brings us Electronic Conversation – two tracks that revel in the past, present, and future of music itself.

The title track, “Electronic Conversation,” is a heavy fuzzed out number that takes you on an epic journey of groovy rhythms: the gritty bassline that drives the song is instantly infectious, while the bubbling sub and howling motif create an interesting dynamic spike. The consistent yet sporadic change in pacing from the hat section is pure precision, while the vocal sample adds a spaced out-vibe that is to die for.

The surging number known as “3 Pin” serves as the flip side. With its upbeat rhythm and hypnotic claps, it sucks you in without hesitation. This is a tune that will have your feet moving, as the pulsing sub swallows the body and the rhythmic shuffle burrows deep in your soul. The rising and falling sensations created by the drops and breaks is overwhelming, as it leaves a firm imprint in the brain.

Out now on Beatport, celebrate life by copping this stellar release asap! Make sure to keep an eye on Kaleidoscope, as they get ready to drop The Magik by none other than Kirros himself, and make sure you tune into their livestream sets – airing four times a week, it’s the best place to get your fix of booming beats and vibrant House music!

Yannons cover art

The use of layers is one of the most fascinating aspects to the modern production of electronic music, and this is especially true when it comes to drum and bass. This is a genre defined by intense detail paid to sculpting precise drum sounds, crafting elaborately textured atmospheres, and blending multiple competing elements into a harmonious whole. The deep and dark side delves even further into that realm, with Transparent Audio fervently leading the charge – delivering two fresh tracks from the man known as Yannons.

“Observe” begins with an ominous tone, driven by a single hat click. The atmosphere slowly builds in intensity, as the grave-robbing bassline makes itself known. A rolling hat shuffle ramps up the song into the drop, surging it forward with the force of a black hole. The placement of each layer is mesmerizing in its effect, resulting in a tune with overwhelming depth.

The flip side contains the raucous number “Thau (feat Kragar),” one filled to the brim with a savage rhythm and mutant bass growls that permanently seep into your brain. The vibrating bassline further establishes the wild eerie energy of the tune, pulling you deep into its center. The subtle meandering patterns and FX infect the mind, making you feel like the only thing that exists is the song.

Out now on Beatport and the Transparent Audio Bandcamp, don’t sleep on this release!