Browsing Tag

Drum n Bass

ASHERAMAR & onyx Torched Complacency in the Socio-Sonic Blitz ‘G.M.F.U

G.M.F.U by ASHERAMAR, featuring onyx, dropped on April 22nd like a dubstep atom bomb. After a spectrally eerie prelude, the track which ensures the definition of high-octane will never be the same again slams into first gear and doesn’t hit the brakes until the glitched-out, frenetic track has reached the destination of the outro. With rap verses stoking the feverish flames and samples of the viral speech made by Victor Lewis adding rocket fuel to the socially cutting anthem, G.M.F.U is so much more than a speaker slammer and body rocker, it’s a conduit of awakening.

The energy may be engineered to make bodies bounce, but the purpose is as sharp as the serrated synths tearing through the mix. There’s zero ambiguity in the lyricism or in the visceral intent of the production. It’s a call to consciousness in an era that thrives on denial and division. The seismic drops, glitch-addled transitions, and rhythmic chaos don’t just stir adrenaline—they force reflection on the state of societal disconnect.

ASHERAMAR’s production on G.M.F.U doesn’t coast on sonic spectacle. It weaponises it. The track translates anxiety into bass, dissent into tempo, and rage into structure, ensuring every bar delivers with teeth. onyx’s vocal delivery is relentless without losing precision, carrying the weight of the message through the velocity of the track without ever letting it dilute or derail.

G.M.F.U is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Obsidian Cane & Gizella Eased the Friction of a Wearied Reality with Their Soul-Fuelled Electro Release, Crazy World

Crazy World saw producer Obsidian Cane and vocalist Gizella join forces once again through unflinching determination to better the world through sound. As we become wearied by the weight of the world, it can almost feel impossible to find a guilt-free reprieve, but that is exactly what you will find in the soul-infused electro anthem. With vocals tempering the frenetic pulse of the breakbeats which feed drum n bass rhythms into the leftfield tropical house atmosphere, there’s no denying that the symbiotic collaborators orchestrated a hit as authentic as their creative connection. As your rhythmic pulses get rhythmically delivered shots of adrenaline, your mind won’t escape the catharsis of knowing that there are others out there praying for peace to stand in place of the lack of humanity and friction which gets more corrosive day by day.

As one of London’s most boundaryless beatmakers, Obsidian Cane – whose career has spanned producing for major label acts and scoring for British TV – has never bowed to formula. With Crazy World, he once again rewrites the rules. After producing for Gotcha! Records, Gizella earned her stripes as a vocal chameleon, traversing the UK Garage and Drum n Bass scenes with her singular range and emotive command. Their latest release expands their sonic synergy and marks them as artists unafraid to make their art mean something in the age of desensitisation.

Crazy World is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

TIGXA & VICA Unleash a Bass-Heavy Blitzkrieg with ‘Loco Motion #V01’

The stormer of an anthemic electro beat anthem, Loco Motion #V01’, born through the collaboration between TIGXA and VICA, allows two sonic worlds to collide with a force that would make Chase & Status stutter in inadequacy in their studio.

With beats strong enough to summon a dub demon and vocals carrying a cheeky infectious energy, the relentless earworm could make even the most reserved shed their inhibitions on the dancefloor. This is more than a collaboration—it’s a statement that these two are storming to the front of the drum and bass scene, smashing the monocultural mould in the process.

VICA channels sharp instincts and an ear for rhythm into every beat, bringing a presence as sharp as the production. With a Caribbean-rooted style that shifts as effortlessly as their movements, there’s a knowing precision behind every delivery. Paired with TIGXA—the evolving sonic universe of Ben Caesar, where every drop expands a multi-genre narrative—this track lands with undeniable weight, making it clear that their creative force isn’t slowing down any time soon.

From the moment the bass drops, there’s no escaping the gravitational pull of this track. The pulsating percussion, jagged synths, and commanding vocal presence turn it into an electrified adrenaline shot straight to the veins of the underground scene. The dancefloor won’t be the same once this one hits.

‘Loco Motion #V01’ is available now on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sink into the hypersonic synergy of Subbwell and Flowdan’s Grimey DnB track, Welcome to London

For his latest release, Subbwell, the indomitable Estonian drum and bass producer, teamed up with London’s own grime juggernaut, Flowdan, to drop their massive sonic attack, ‘Welcome to London’.

The hit is a deep dive into the city’s gritty vibe, delivered with a raw edge and polished with a high-quality production to juxtapose the dark, grimey bars that snarl over a backdrop of hypersonic drum and bass. The beats are savage—slamming, distorting, and warping under the weight of Flowdan’s delivery. He weaves through the track with a melodic flow that hits hard, perfectly synched with the wild, adrenalising energy of the builds and drops.

As for the video, think London’s streets through a Grand Theft Auto lens. It’s a cinematic piece that flips the script on how we see the city, as the camera tears through the streets, the good, the bad, and the ugly filter into the vignette that will resonate with the realities of many Londoners.

With ‘Welcome to London’, Subbwell and Flowdan throw us into the middle of London’s pulse through an unapologetic, in-your-face celebration of all things raw and real about London’s underground scene.

Stream the official music video for Welcome to London on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Batka – Ałive: An Electronic Odyssey Between Serenity and Storm

BaŁka went down a cinematic storm in their latest release, Ałive, featuring PRESPHNE. The seductively progressive hit opens on a note of ethereal transcendence with the intricate instrumental layers efficaciously complementing the quiescent harmonic whispers, but it isn’t long before the intensity builds within the momentum of the tour de force of seamlessly chameleonic shifts in tone and tempo.

The head-spinning hits of Drum ‘n’ bass contort Ałive into a pulsative juggernaut of an anthem; the industrial rock aesthetics which follow act as further attestations to BaŁka’s ability to move sonic mountains with virtuosic melodic manipulations.

From the exponentially expansive crescendos to the transient installations of nature-infused cathartic tranquillity which follows like serenity after a storm purges the atmosphere, Ałive is definitive proof that few artists are as capable as BaŁka in depicting the duality between the brutality and ferocity of the human experience.

The inspiration for his powerful sound design is so much more than just an abstract concept. The thematic essence of his work hits you as hard as the beats, which goes a fair way in explaining how in six months within the industry, he’s already had an official release on MONTA Records, been signed by the LA-based music group, Cage Riot, and garnered over 30k streams.

Stream Ałive on all major platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mild Horses unleashed avant-garde chaos in his genre-defying electronica release, Eye of the Behemoth

Eye Of The Behemoth by Mild Horses

Mild Horses, the experimental brainchild of Matthew Leuw, previously known for his roles in various underground bands, including Norwich’s Crest and Brighton’s Coin-op, has returned with ‘Eye of the Behemoth’.

The single seizes the listener with its lo-fi synth melodies grounded on a solid backbeat, before erupting into a drum n bass rhythmic firestorm. Not merely content to rest here, it pushes the boundaries further with sharp horn stabs, marking a bold foray into avant-garde territory. As the track progresses, the intense energy momentarily retreats into more subdued, jazzy grooves that infuse the piece with psychedelic tranquillity, setting the stage for a climactic resurgence. The finale of this instrumental odyssey is a masterclass in musical composition—returning full circle with a powerful beat that perfectly encapsulates the track’s dynamic range.

‘Eye of the Behemoth’ is not just another experimental track; it is a statement of artistic integrity from Mild Horses. This single does exactly what it promises—immersing its audience in an artfully crafted storm of sound that resonates long after the last note fades. It’s an assertive piece that boldly declares Mild Horses’ niche in the eclectic landscape of contemporary music. For fans of genre-defying soundscapes, this release is an essential experience, offering both challenge and reward in its complex layers.

Stream and purchase Eye of the Behemoth ahead of its official release date of May 10th on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Drum n Bass entered into a new evocative era with Joy Doc’s All of Me

https://soundcloud.com/joydocdnb/joy-doc-all-of-me-master/s-UmM63gn67rf?si=a4dd89fb1def497ca20fc0ff28693304&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Joy Doc’s latest single, ‘All of Me‘, is a compelling showcase of her multifaceted talent as a drum and bass producer, vocalist, songwriter, DJ, and pianist. Hailing from London, Joy Doc has been carving a niche in the UK’s electronica scene, and this track is an undeniable testament to her superlative prowess.

The track commences with an ornate orchestral introduction, setting an evocative stage for what’s to come. As Joy Doc’s vocals enter, “Oh Lorde,” will be the first thing on your mind due to the striking resemblance and depth in her voice. These vocals, layered over the sound of hammered piano keys, create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, where you can contemplate the self-sacrifice of giving someone your whole essence only to transform into a shell of who you were before you surrendered yourself completely and knelt at the feet of romantic mercy.  The lyrics poignantly explore the transformation of self when consumed by love, painting a vivid picture of becoming a secondary character in one’s own love story.

The production, handled by Joy Doc herself, is flawlessly and meticulously crafted, ensuring that the listener is drawn in and remains captivated until the outro and then some; the crescendos of drum & bass momentum are tensile, perfectly timed to elevate the track’s emotional intensity.

Mixed and mastered by Jose De Mara, ‘All of Me’ is a declaration of Joy Doc’s potential to dominate the electronica landscape. Her previous accolades, including her debut E.P ‘Sunshine‘ and the recognition of her track ‘Been Here Before‘, are just the beginning.

All of Me will hit the airwaves on April 19th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DARCY – Mandem Carni: an avant-garde installation of artful electronic annihilation

With her sophomore single, Mandem Carni, the artist and enigma DARCY emerged from the shadows of her former alias and unleashed a visceral force to be reckoned with. The dark, bass-heavy oscillations resonate with a raw, physical intensity, capable of giving even the most robust speakers goosebumps.

This track is a masterful blend of genres, straddling the line between an industrial electronic horror score and an avant-garde installation of artful annihilation. It’s a sound that carries the terrorised glamour of a Dana Dentata release, yet pulses with the kinetic energy akin to Avalien. DARCY’s approach to music production is both aggressive and energetic, yet marked by an increasing fluidity and ambition that sets her apart.

Mandem Carni is an unflinching embrace of the dark and the macabre. It’s a track that doesn’t just flirt with the nightmarish; it revels in it, all while maintaining a level of artistic finesse that transcends mere shock value. The production quality is impeccable, with each beat and synth meticulously crafted to contribute to an atmosphere of controlled chaos.

For anyone with a penchant for the darker, more brooding variants of drum and bass, Mandem Carni is an augmented anthem to be experienced.

Mandem Carni disrupted the airwaves on February 18th; stream the release on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ireland’s Idle Discourse reached the pinnacle of hardcore furore in their mechanical juggernaut, Rotten Egg

Idle Discourse came down hard(core) on the uncompromising nature of society and its proclivity to push the atypical to the sidelines in their ensnaring mechanical juggernaut of a dance track, Rotten Egg,

The thunderous, genre-defying anthem shakes the foundations of hardcore music by combining the raw energy of drum n bass, the electrifying spirit of Prodigy-esque dance, and the unyielding force of TRC-reminiscent hardcore while fusing a cacophonous mechanical edge reminiscent of BMTH and Enter Shikari and blazing past them on the evolutionary timeline of hardcore.

From the first note, it grips you in an adrenalizing chokehold and refuses to let go. Its brutal intensity is its relentless force, yet it’s the cheeky energy and profound message that truly sets this track apart. The narrative is woven seamlessly into the fabric of the song, making it not just a musical experience but a call to awareness and understanding. They used every ounce of their fervid volition to strike a fatal blow in the insidious heart of marginalisation.

‘No diagnosis’ – the chorus line – highlights the plight of those diminished by an apathetic system. It’s a reminder of the unseen struggles many face, from autism spectrum disorder to ADHD and unresolved trauma. Rotten Egg, while light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek, implores listeners to reconsider quick judgments and labels.

The band, comprising Craig ‘Sea High’ Hoey, Lorcan Bowens, Donal Bowens, Rob Gaffney, and Leigh Walsh, demonstrates a profound understanding of the human condition. Their fusion of metallic drum and bass with dystopian synth wave elements and hardcore-tinted sections reveals a band that has evolved in more ways than one.

Rotten Egg will sulphurise the airwaves on February 9th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JANAYAH & Marcus Wiles brought euphoria to the dancefloor with their liberating EDM anthem, NOTHING TO LOSE

With their tantamount talent, the debut single, NOTHING TO LOSE, from the emerging vocalist and lyricist JANAYAH and EDM producer Marcus Wiles, who are both enrolled in the prestigious BRIT School in London studying music and production, respectively, is a radio-ready affirmation that whether they’re honing their collaborative chemistry or going solo, they’ll both have an illustrious career ahead of them.

The way the tension and emotion-fraught stabs of piano keys under JANAYAH’s stridently pitch-perfect vocals lead up to a mind-bendingly liberating drum n bass-drenched EDM crescendo signed, sealed, and delivered a promising future for the duo.

Their reverence for EDM and ability to emanate the same meticulous song-crafting flair as the likes of Calvin Harris, 3LAU, ChrisLake, Joel Corry, David Guetta, and Tiesto, will leave you on a knife edge as sharp as the hooks.

Once the monolithic momentum grips you, you’ll be at the mercy of the powerhouse duo. We can’t wait to hear the sophomore release after getting to grips with the transcendent debut, which could easily be considered the strongest EDM debut in 2023.

NOTHING TO LOSE is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast