Experimentation is a defining feature of modern bass music; from the deep sub explorations of dubstep, to the mutant warblings of half time, or the technical wizardry of drum and bass, there is always an eye towards making music pleasing to the ear as well as pushing the boundaries of what is possible. At the forefront of this lies Lost Recordings – a label that consistently outputs music that feeds off of and fuses elements from across the spectrum of bass music. Their latest release, Lost: Signals 004, features heavyweight HVRLYN with two fiercely deep tracks.

“Picadilly Bop” opens with intense atmospherics, as the title phrase echoes repetitively through the head. All of this builds until the drop hits, one that hits with such unprecedented force it takes you completely by surprise. The rolling rhythm of the track, along with the frenetic glitchy vibe of the FX and hat section, instantly overtakes the senses with reckless abandon. Overall, the level of precision is mind blowing and showcases why this producer is one to watch.

Dense atmospherics and a hypnotic shuffle open “The Wedge,” with a surging bassline that sucks you into the nether regions of DnB. This is a serious workout of a tune; the minimalistic bassline perfectly counterpoints the breakneck speed of the hat section, fueling a tug of war between the mind and body. It’s an unrelentingly infectious tune, leaving a lasting impression that is impossible to resist.

Out now via the Lost Recordings Bandcamp, cop this one without delay!

Drum and bass is a technical genre; from the intense level of detail involved in the sound design, to the intricate layering of shuffles and breaks, and even the very pace of the music itself, it demands precision from both the makers as well as the listeners. Sofa Sound Bristol has painstakingly carved out their own corner that revels in this fact and pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Their latest release features a top tier producer who is well known for his technical prowess along with his unique style of crafting songs – the man known as Revan. On this release, he has teamed up with Parallel Identities to give us two cuts that show they mean serious business.

“Beurs” starts off with rich atmospherics, with a finger snap snare that builds into the drop. The massive force that enters is overwhelming, with a gritty bassline and a furious whirlwind of drums that takes your head clean off. The constantly shifting pattern of the hat section is the perfect counterpoint to the wobbly vibe the sub produces, creating a track that is as introspective as it is ferocious.

The throbbing vibrations of “My Reality” serve as the flip side to the release, a driving number that hails from the deepest depths of bass music. The hard rolling beat carries the tune, giving it a tough street vibe that will dominate any sound system. With the swirling FX and white noise of the hat section providing a hypnotic consistency, this is a heavy tune that envelopes you completely and refuses to let go.

Out now via Sofa Sounds’ bandcamp, this is a deeply invigorating release you do not want to sleep on!

Two heavyweights of Drum and Bass have joined forces: Critical Music and Workforce. Critical Music is home to revered talents like Mefjus, Emperor, Enei, Ivy Lab, QZB, Particle, and many more. Well known for pushing the boundaries of the heavier side of the genre, it is a label that routinely surprises and inspires you with the diversity of its output.

Workforce has become one of the most dominant forces in DnB over the last year. With an output that pushes the envelope as well as showcasing his creative approach to composition, many of his tracks have become staples in countless sets in addition to topping charts and lists. With the Moods EP, he continues his journey, venturing deep into darker territory with captivating results.

The infectious energy of “Back Up” starts the EP out. With an ingeniously structured drum pattern that blends perfectly with the deep sub and growling basslines, he creates a tune that instantly sucks you into its orbit. The vocal sample and techy breaks add even further tension and help create the signature vibe Workforce always sets.

“EGO” drifts in next, with the repetitive hi-hat click and an ominous atmosphere that mutates into a glitchy drum buildup, erupting into the massive drop. Once it hits, its impossible to resist throwing your body around like a ragdoll to the angular rhythms. The warbling effects and heavy drums create a tug of war between the body and mind, leaving you exhausted yet wishing it would never end.

Piercing sirens and moody textures ring out at the start of “Bring Down,” followed by rolling drums that hypnotize you into the buildup. The massive deep sub drops in on you like it has always been there, as ghostly motifs and haunting vocals ebb and flow throughout the tune. Deceptively simple, this is a track that has endless layers where you find something new on every listen.

Lastly, “Maudlin” brings the release to a close. With a creative and intricate rhythm, Workforce takes us on a journey: one filled with deep growling subs, squalling basslines, ethereal vocals, surging motifs, and the space between notes. Calling forth the choppy origins of the genre and infusing it with modern stylings and production techniques, it’s a track that reveals the endless innovation this producer has.

Out now on all platforms, don’t sleep on this one and cop it today!

After the storm that was 2020, everyone is dead set on making 2021 far different in any and every way possible. Nowhere is this more evident than with Ekou Recordings, a label that has exploded to the forefront with consistently high caliber releases that set the bar for the genre. Refusing to let up, they now drop False Concepts Warning Ep – four tunes that contain mind blowing sound design along with a vast diversity in composition.

“Run” begins with a melancholic atmosphere and vocals which back it up, as gritty FX create massive tension into the drop. The deep sub drives the song forward, using a wobbly low end that fuses with the choppy rhythm to create a track that is as beautiful as it is ferocious. Blending the high energy pace DnB is known for with the moody vibes of dark liquid make it impossible to resist.

Drifting in with ominous atmospherics comes “Warning (Ft. Trafic MC).” The click of the hi-hat creates a slow-moving sensation, as the vocal delivery revs you up with its relentless delivery. This is a groove heavy roller that has layers for days; the crushing pattern of the breaks, the overwhelming nature of the sub, and the growling FX clash and collide which creates the surging sensation that makes it such a killer tune.

Taking things into more experimental territory, “Decline” showcases the savage frenetic onslaught of the minimal side to the genre. The melodic keyboard riffs counterpoint perfectly with the densely layered drums that dominate the number. This song doesn’t let up; from the white noise of the busy hat section to the intense glitchy motif, it overwhelms the sense and leaves you gasping for more.

“Close” is the final number, starting out with bubbling mutant sounding FX and a yearning vocal sample which wind in and out of each other. They feed fluidly into the drop, all of the layers blending together and moving as one. The disparate stylings of the track – the distorted wobbling of the bassline, techy workout of the drums, and soulful tones of the melodic section – create a dynamic interplay that is fascinating to obsess over time and time again.

Out now on the Ekou Recordings Bandcamp, this is a fresh and distinctive set of songs you will want to scoop up ASAP!

Coming straight from the deepest trenches of the underground, Glyph & Hystatus have crafted four masterpieces of the dark and minimal sound. Released on Delta 9 Recordings, a label that has systematically brought out the best cutting edge DnB for months and is the perfect home for these tracks. Filled to the brim with dense textures and mind-blowing compositions, this release showcases the exciting and constantly shifting landscape of this genre.

“Meridian” starts the release out, with ghostly atmospherics and a hypnotic motif that get carried along by the driving rhythm. Once the drop hits, the music reaches deep inside of you with a subterranean bassline that floors. The throbbing vibrations counterpoint perfectly with the rolling tech melodies that drive the tune, showcasing the fusion of old and new that DnB thrives on.

The ominous mood and earth-shattering bass of “Azimuth” come roaring in next. The ferocious drum section blends with the sci-fi FX that dot the soundscape. The intense click of the hi-hats overwhelms the senses as the song slowly builds, yet never overpowers the subtle composition details. This is one of those hard-edged numbers you can’t get enough and reveals the studio precision both these producers possess.

“Trapped In The Group” takes things in a similar albeit different direction, utilizing a steady groove that creates an addictive feeling that is impossible to shake off. The swirling bassline that surges throughout it takes you to an alternate dimension of pure sound; the techy design of the drums further drives this home and serves to add even more tension to the ebb and flow of the track.

Taking things further into left field for the last one, Glyph and Hystatus deliver “Black Vector.” A weighty tune that explores what is possible with the sub, it employs wave after wave of glitchy FX and blasts of distortion. With a minimalist beat that carries everything along at a metronomic pace, it’s surreal how high speed yet spacious the song is as you get lost in each layer.

Out now on the Delta 9 Recordings’ bandcamp, this is a stunning release you will want to cop immediately!

Hailing from Los Angeles, Liquid Giraffe is back with six fresh cuts which take you through a potent journey of bass and beats. As a long time player in the music world, this is a producer who consistently refines and hones his craft in surprising ways. On Homeschool, his talent for creating innovative vibes and expansive atmospheres is absolutely boundless.

“Midterminal” starts the album out, a soothing gem of lo-fi blends and hip-hop flavored beats. The simple repetitive flow keeps the momentum going as you fall deep into a daydream. The glossy sounds of the chords combine with the background vocals to evoke the feeling of a relaxing sunny day, one you wish would never end.

Changing pace comes the frenetic beats of “All Dem Graffiti Guys.” The rolling pulse of the drum section and the repetitive vocal sample create an addictive palette of sound that instantly gets stuck in your head. The jungle of sounds here reveals his penchant for intricate layers that tell a whole story, using each element to its maximum effect.

Exploring and pushing the envelope of bass music is a constant theme throughout the Liquid Giraffe discography; “Heyyy” blends a footwork style of rhythm with ethereal vocals that are a staple of electronic music. Combining them in an unpredictable manner, we get a satisfying track that fills the mind while vibrating the body simultaneously.

In the spirit of discovering new territories, “Domin8” is a mind-bending track filled to the brim with a trippy chopped up vocal sample and gritty basslines to boot. Backing this up is a heavy driving beat, and at its peak it builds up intense levels of tension before sucking you into the second drop. This is a song as infectious as they come, one that will stay with you long after it’s dissipated.

Keeping things rolling comes “Aristarrr.” This is a funky groove filled tune that gets the feet moving, willingly or not. This is a full-on odyssey of his technical prowess: from the clicking cymbals that dot the track, to the bubbly bassline, and even down to the rising melody, this is an evocative track – and getting lost in all the details is a serious pleasure.

Closing out the album is the absolute bliss of “Yo the 1.” With a busy hypnotic beat, Liquid Giraffe draws you into the deepest realms of his musical world. Bringing in his love of jungle style breaks, soulful melodic motifs, dynamic compositions, and hip-hop stylings, it’s a tune no one can resist, and will set any dancefloor ablaze.

Out now via the Liquid Giraffe Bandcamp, this is a must have for any music lover. His ability to pull from the past while keeping an eye on the future is what makes his style fascinating and one you will want to keep an eye on at all times. Cop it ASAP!

 

Free From Sleep has brought us some of the best live events in DnB, with lineups featuring stellar talent such as Skeptical, Loxy, Pola and Bryson, Break, and so many more. Even in the midst of this lockdown, they’ve refused to slow down, continuing to bring us live streams and DJ mixes to get us through the hard times. Their next step is releasing music themselves, and their first outing features two choice cuts from the man known as Rift. Well known for his beautiful liquid productions as well as hard-hitting deep workouts, he delves in and expands his style on his FFS release Suppress.

The title track comes at us first, beginning with a methodical click and ominous atmosphere that build into the driving beat. The tension it all builds is overwhelming, the drop coming in with earth shattering force. This tune recalls the rolling rhythms and choppy snares of Jubei and Metalheadz, and fuses that with the modern bass growls prevalent in darker styles of DnB. Brought together, it’s a deep and ferocious outing you’ll endlessly crave more.

“Back to You Feat. Elle Chante” sees Rift showcasing his liquid chops with a darker bent. Setting the vibe with an energetic drum pattern backed by ethereal vocals, the smooth production is perfectly counterpointed by the subtle gritty layers and blasts of bass distortion that dot the soundscape. As the tune progresses, it’s impossible to resist getting completely sucked into the world Rift has created in it.

Out now via the FFS Bandcamp, these are two tracks you will want to cop without delay!

Back with four fresh cuts from the deeper side of DnB, Deviant’s newest outing on The Chikara Project is exquisite: filled to the brim with the lowest of subtones, finely tuned snares, and expansive ethereal vibes, each track is addicting as the next and showcases the deft blends of styles routinely seen on the label.

“Silk Notes” starts the release off; a collab with Sam Binary, it sets the stage for the somber yet soulful soundscapes that characterize the release. The energy builds step by step, as the melancholic keyboard motif and the hi hat pattern rise together, joined by the weighty kick and snare. That intensity builds until the drop itself comes in, and the track reveals its full nature. It’s a soothing yet driving track, effortlessly gliding between its dark and light sides.

Coming at us next is the murky yet funky rhythms of “Don’t Ask.” The bassline and the breaks work in perfect synchronicity to give this track its flavor. The sporadic yet consistent nature make it a dream to get lost in, as the mind ponders each layer while the body can’t resist rocking back and forth with the beat.

“Things You Do” is another collab, this time with Mystic State lending support. The song starts off with the bounce of the kick and snare, as the busy hi hats provide intricate support. As the drop hits, the tune launches into hyperdrive – the deep subs and the mind twisting FX perfectly counterpoint the lush atmospheres and soul driven melodies. Deviant and Mystic State prove what a fearsome team they are in the studio here, with every note masterfully designed and executed.

Closing the release out is the hypnotic vibes of “Radiate.” The surging drone of the keyboard motif overtakes the mind instantly, as the drums lay down the addictive groove. A track that revels in minimalism, the low sub tones of the bassline and the driving rhythms of the drum section dominate it. Through that simplicity, it effectively conjures the feeling of seeing beauty in a brand new and unexpected place.

Overall, this is a stellar release. The sound design as well as the composition of each number is absolutely breathtaking. Grab this one immediately from The Chikara Project Bandcamp page!

Different Music has been on the scene for over ten years and has never ceased in bringing out some of the most imaginative and creative tunes in DnB. This label is devoted to exploring the farthest reaches of not just DnB but all bass music. With output from Arkaik, Mauoq, Lakeway, Dexta, and many more, always expect the unexpected as they continually push the boundaries. Their latest release from Fearful, FKD/XINF, delivers another mind-bending journey through two tracks filled with the deepest sub tones and twisting beats.

FKD is a deep minimal monster of a tune: Starting out with ominous atmospherics that effortlessly blend with the surging beat that builds into the drop. The deep vibrations and growl of the bassline drive the track forward with a consistent intense energy, as screaming FX as well as the chatter of the hat section create warbling bringing out the minimalistic beauty of the track.

Fearful is well-known for his challenging and technical productions, with “XINF” delivering that in full force. With a subterranean bass tone that is overwhelmingly deep, and a chattering drum roll that weaves into your brain, it’s a workout in precision that he nails perfectly. This is a tune you will get lost in every time you hear it, as each time you will discover something new.

Out now, these are two fascinating tunes you will want to add to your collection ASAP!

As one of the premier labels spearheading the deep and dark side of drum and bass, Overview Music continues to expand their diverse sound; this time bringing us none other than GROUND with his Ein EP. Well-known for his unique production style that features top notch sound design and creative beats, the four tracks on this release will blow your mind and possess your body.

“Ein” starts the EP off; using a blend of moody atmospherics, driving rhythms, and a vocal chant to create an intense build into the drop. The drop itself hits like a jackhammer, as he brandishes the rolling sound that dominates it. The second drop reveals the inventive drive he has, mutating the original pattern into a darker version of itself that leaves you in a state of awe.

The ominous opening of “Amnesia” drift in next, with a mind melting blend of elements which accompany the hypnotic motif that defines this track. GROUND reveals his production chops on this one: with lush soundscapes, a carefully crafted snare, deep subs, and the techy click of the cymbal section that are balanced and arranged in perfect sequence. This creates the spaced-out vibe that makes it so addicting.

“When I” makes use of a shifting drum pattern and a weighty sub to create an infectious hard-edged tune that gets the body moving. It’s easy to see this tune taking over any dancefloor, with its combination of energetic pacing and surging basslines. The myriad of elements which interplay throughout reinforce the quicksand nature of the track, swirling endlessly in and out of your head.

Going all out on the last track, “DIY” is a menacing tune that takes no prisoners. The repetitive snap of the snare and growl of the bass set the perfect stage for the gritty, tripped atmospheres which populate the track. The distorted foghorn melts perfectly into the high-pitched drone that carries the break, slowly morphing back into the foghorn and leaves you reeling from the experience.

This is a massive release; four killer tracks that reveal a fresh take on the genre. Out now via Beatport, go cop this now!