Default Recordings return with another themed single release, this time from QST in collaboration with newcomer Phrase. Dusk proves to be a nicely detailed deep roller with tons of character and groove, while Dawn heads for more euphoric territory with big trancy synthwork that feels uplifting without straying into utterly cheesy territory. Check out the clips below and look out for this one dropping from May 26th.
Translation Recordings continue to reinforce their position as one of the most innovative labels in the scene with a fresh new EP from Hidden Turn. The sounds on display here really challenge preconceptions of what kind of music can be made in the 170BPM arena and effortlessly combine musicality and heft in a way that few producers can.
The titular Simon opens up with ominous sub and a half-tempo beat before filling in the drum lines with extra beats and gradually seguing between acid basslines, floaty female vocals, wailing sirens and sampled spoken word – quite the sonic canvas! Next up Binary drops in with a beat that I challenge you not to nod your head to. Go on, try. Sheer groove on the intro alone, let alone once the main drop comes and the beats are falling all over the place amid an atmosphere of bouncy dub-imbued joy.
Champion Change heads for more ominous territory, with the intricate percussion of the previous tracks preserved but the bassline and overall tone of the composition replaced with a brooding (yet never sombre) aesthetic. The vocal sampling on this track combined with the higher frequency melodic flourishes prevent it from ever sounding like a dirge and break the mould of the usual moody D&B to boot.
Last but by no means least, What’s Going On hits that head-nodding drum groove once again with more low end growl and some deft glitching providing the background while eastern sounding strings take centre stage to round out an unusual and rewarding EP. Check out the tracks below and grab the EP from Beatport now, with full release following from May 26th.
Italian duo Jazzatron are the team behind the latest release for Lifestyle Recordings, bringing a four track EP for the label’s 40th release. It’s difficult to pick between the tracks in many ways since all of them provide a nice balance between musical elements, mean basslines and super precise drum programming.
The Lie and Breakthrough certainly provide the EPs more dancefloor friendly tracks while Panatierre explores an interesting contrast between drumfunk-esque beats and atmospheres and aggressive distorted bass. Manuto rounds things off with a tasty selection of chopped up breaks. Check out the clips below and grab this from your favourite digital outlet now.
State of Mind welcome fellow kiwi producer Borderline to their label for his debut LP and if you like your D&B energetic then this should be right up your street! The album serves up 12 crisp tracks of neurofunk business with an emphasis on growling basslines and rolling breaks, with all the tunes of an exactingly high quality.
Highlights come courtesy of the squelching bass of Colossus, the wobbly modulations of State of Mind collab Square One and the catchy vocal led Feelings, blending an R&B style vocal with heavy D&B beats to great effect. Check out clips of some of the tracks below and grab yourself a copy at your favourite digital outlet now!
Terabyte Records return with their 11th release in the form of a double A side from A-Cray and Kloro4m. A-Cray’s Untold Stories eschews the style of some of his rowdier material in favour of a stripped back drum workout with plenty of bass weight…this one’s all in the detailed percussion.
Kloro4m’s Solitude follows a similar pattern, with a slightly more rolling break but a focus on precise drum programming, dark, ominous bass and little else. Both tunes provide ample proof that less can be more. Check out the clips below and grab these from your favourite digital outlet now.
Amoss return to Horizons Music with another essential 12″ for fans of their deep, grimey stylings. Bleed It gets the VIP treatment with a heavily syncopated rhythm and deep sub bass giving a nice new spin on the original’s more rolling flow.
Over on the flip Calokan continues the trend for odd beat arrangements with a shuffling, kick led drum line punctuating a wide array of odd atmospherics and a generally gloomy vibe. There’s a nice switch up on the second drop too, just to keep the crowd guessing. Check out the beats below and watch out for this one dropping from May 26th.
Bulgarian producer L 33 hits the ProgRAM roster with a pair of dirty neurofunk beats to add to the label’s already healthy catalogue. Helvetica drops in with a fierce set of bassline modulations and great use of space, each of the elements being allowed to breath for impact despite the pace and heft of the tune.
Detuned continues the trend with another huge drum line featuring some dangerously metallic snare impacts sure to carve up the dancefloor. Check out the clips below and grab this one on vinyl and digital now!
Nurtured Beatz have been carving a nice little niche for themselves since the label’s inception in 2013 and their 5th release sees them upping the ante with a 15 track Various Artists LP featuring up and coming producers alongside scene stalwarts like Genotype, all turning in deep dark 170BPM business.
Highlights come in the form of the kick heavy drum lines of Kolectiv & Incognito’s Circle Of Sound, the gloomy half-time atmosphere of Mystic State’s Street Talk and the menacing distorted snares and 90s techstep vibe of Paragon’s Detractors. Check out all the LPs tracks below and grab a copy from your favourite digital outlet now!
Vince Grain returns to AutomAte for the latest release on their deep imprint with a couple of dark, weighty beats. Nyctophilia (that’s an abnormal preference for night over day, for the uninitiated) combines deep sub pressure and a plodding half-time beat with beautiful melodic flourishes sampled from a Japanese Koto.
Drones Over Berlin meanwhile opens up with dark, atmospheric synth work and before dropping into a grinding bassline and another plodding half-time riddim; after a few bars this gives way to a full tempo break filled in with an assortment of distorted amens and deft percussive touches. The beauty of the A side is entirely eschewed here in favour of relentless gloom, and it works a treat!
Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping from June 2nd at all good digital outlets.
Vandal Records return with the second release on their “Ltd” sub label from French producer Redeyes, who delivers a diverse 6 track EP. Fans of Redeyes’ previous work won’t be surprised to find a slick liquid roller opening the EP and Reflections ticks all the boxes nicely, simple piano and a crisp break offering us a Calibre-esque slice of deep D&B.
Feeling This Way continues the pattern, chopping up the breaks a bit and adding some soulful vocal snippets to the mix. But then things take a more interesting turn as we enter Get Me Paid. It seems Redeyes has been paying attention to the movements of the likes of Alix Perez and Stray recently as he serves up the joyously glitchy, jungle imbued Get Me Paid.
The trap and juke influence continues throughout Man Down and Is You Rollin’. Finally Sleeprunner heads for super deep, almost ambient territory to close out the EP with a beautiful, melancholy composition packed with atmosphere. Check out the beats below and grab the EP from your favourite digital outlet now.