Looking for the heaviest hitters in underground bass music? Look no further than Generation I from the mysterious arrival. – a curated compilation of our favorites names in glitch hop and neurohop. A crash landed ship hauling the prized goods of J.Lang, Sqonk, Fika, Crawdad Sniper, Ginseng, Shep, Hokey Boi, and more. With the impending departure of Tipper, producers across the globe scramble to fill the void and pay tribute to the monolith figure, Dave Tipper.
Today’s we’re blessed to uncover a transmission from the future of glitch hop and neuro bass, a transmission extending light years away from modern day Earth, a statement confirming that Tipper was only the beginning. Only the genesis of a movement that exists in galaxies far, far away.
A movement of laser-precision sound design, bone bunting bass, and translatable, alien squelches. Are we ready?
Track’s like J.LANG’s “Like This” prove to commandeer listeners as our digital vessel corrupts into cyberspace after a bad export. Gurgling and squelching, the track breathes with artificial life and drools with digital decay and malfunction. Like applying automatic driving to your Tesla on winding, country roads. Will you survive? The track insists we hold on for dear life. Hard when you’re made of pixels.
Next, we’re abducted abroad the spacecraft of Sqonk, a PA native who pushes the parameters of halftime with funky, glitched grooves and sound design straight from the riverside swamps of the Susquehanna. Sqonk, a versatile producer proves why he calls halftime home, delivering dank, digital download speeds over his tearout track “Brain Sludge”. Never a disappointing moment from a hardworking producer, releasing some five EP’s in the past year. Congrats Brodie, strong work.
After Sqonk, you’ll pause to see what church you’ve just been transported, but have no fear, Sqonk’s dropping listeners off at Crawdad Sniper’s mass to receive a blessing. And boy are we blessed. Beckoning bass lines, a colossal kick, whizzing wubs, and the Sunday School sample instruct listeners to stay engaged. A powerful combination of religious high magick and ironically a little witchcraft, but we won’t tell anyone. Especially not a priest.
J.LANG, Sqonk, and crawdad sniper back to back. Can you ask for anything more on this halftime hallelujah? I was hooked after the three-peat victory. Generation I bangs. If you’re looking for the most competitive sounds in the glitch hop universe, X marks the spot with Generation I.
And we love to see how arrival. hinted a Generation II? Like Terminator 2, I love a good sci-fi sequel.
Hyper-glitch. A formidable, unique music genre pioneered by artists like Woulg, Sunnk, Man From Sol, Nuan Sonar, and Soup. Hyper-glitch, an obsession with technological malfunctions, cinematic catastrophe, and ambient air raids. Destroying the visible layers to uncover what’s hidden beneath. A daring, decisive use of ear splitting sound design over evolving cinematic soundscapes to resurrect our deepest, subconscious thoughts.
Due to the small size of the scene, hyper-glitch releases are a dime a dozen, utilizing the glitch.cool website for release exposure and marketing. And it just so happened, scrolling through recent releases, I found “Do excesso”. A deliriously, dark descent to the netherworlds of Nensha. A trip into overcast skies and winter trees, a barren and dead landscape underneath a silhouetted sun. Somber, “Do excesso” feels like a fading memory, a regret, a trauma. A haunting hellscape, beginning with the reverberations of “Cruavida” – a dragging of chains against dungeon floors; to the assault of Transverberacao/The Uninterrupted Search For The Devine. Nensha reminds listeners hyper-glitch knows no bounds. Transporting between delicate ambience, distorted voice samples, and prying piano keys, Nensha proves why “Do Excesso” stands apart in the world of hyper glitch. The beauty of the project is captivated during Eros+, a tranquil departure from the clash of compressed artifacts only for a hasty return to insanity, ending the project with a well-fitting track “Massacre”.
Nensha captures a vibe, an atmosphere of cinematic intensity contrasted with the beauty of the unknown. A voyage to the dark side. The shadow. Without becoming over-encumbered with glitch, Nensha patches the perfect balance of curiosity, courage, and catastrophe. An oxymoron, as Nensha addresses, despite the glitch, digital music wouldn’t exist or alter audiences without an underlying structure, a mathematical perfection hidden beneath the fragmentations, because behind the appearance of chaos and calamity, lies a universal order behind all things.
For a debut project, “Do excesso” is a winner.
Intellectually stimulating, powerfully produced, and authentically awesome. Nensha proves why hyper-glitch is only at the precipice, slithering to the forefront of underground electronic music.
Looking to fade away from the material world? Why not download yourself into the netherworld and take a little vacation? What could go wrong?
You ever check BandCamp.com for new bass music? Me neither, but today, after my food poisoning settled, I was desperate for a change of pace, a new routine, something different – easy on the stomach. While stumbling around BandCamp, I realized the search options changed or at least flew over my head. Searching by tags is the most straight forward method of finding music in your specific niche.
While searching the term “Neurohop”, a term coined by Kursa to describe the combination of neurofunk sound design over halftime or hip hop beats, I discovered “Bract Thought” by c r o u t o n..
Crouton, a salad, something easily digestible after a day of food poisoning. Sounds good. Well… sorta. Expecting contemporary neurohop funk or ‘Tipperesque’ glitches, I was fortunately mistaken. Instead, I found something grittier, rougher around the edges, dark – embracing the shadow. While the introduction, “Bract Thought”, sets the aura with mandolin plucks introjected over sludgy, halftime static; Crystalline washes onto shore with wet reverberations, crunchy-crisp bass lines and whiplashing intrusions, setting the stage for the real party starters, “Fiber Expanse” and “Triplicate”.
“Fiber Expanse” is your grandfather’s favorite copy of Beethoven falling into the hands of alien-AI during a non-voluntary abduction, prompting the invaders to translate the CD into the alien’s native tongue, for proper analysis. A glitched and gurgled asphyxiation. Thundering drum and bass beats over distorted barrages from another dimension. A mind melting meditation where I suddenly realize: “Those were no ordinary croutons.”
“Triplicate” is the result of your alien abductors discovering you’ve mistaken the cockpit as a “restroom” and refused their routine anal probe, suggested once a year by any intergalactic physician. Pissed, your alien captors make a one-eighty split back to Earth at bone burning speeds. A boot to the butt, and you’re teleported home, only on alien terms, cell by cell. Particle by particle.
Descending into halftime hell,
c r o u t o n. demonstrates why he’s secretly our favorite part of any salad. A salad of saturation and weaponized wubs. Crunchy, cosmic collisions rivaling the extra crunchy peanut butter in my kitchen.
“Optic Sludge” is another hiccuping, halftime Hercules. An ominous opera leftover from our alien visitors. Wonky and weird. If you enjoy hefty hip hop percussion, tense ambient sound design, and static-stuffed slappers to the likes of COPYCATT and FREQUENT, why would you skip “Bract Thought”?
How should I end my project, a producer may ask, halftime or DnB? “Flare” concludes, why not both? Capitalizing on a love for beats of all speeds, why not satisfy both sounds? The high intensity, chaotic atmosphere of drum and bass to the head nodding hits of halftime. “Bract Thought” proves why no salad, and no playlist is complete without a c r o u t o n. or two.
Seriously this project is awesome, and I’m glad Bandcamp threw the recommendation, hell yeah. Shouts out any victories for BandCamp. One of the only sites that isn’t extorting artists…yet.
Also check out the c r o u t o n. YouTube page for breakdowns, singles, mixes, and more!
Once I heard the granular growl in “Basket Case” I knew we were headed for greatness.
VCTRE hardly disappoints, one of the leading names in experimental bass and collaborating with the likes of EAZYBAKED, Mr. Bill, Omnist, OkayJake, Minnesota, Sumthin sumthin, and Black Carl!, VCTRE infuses an irresistible energy with forward thinking sound design and emotional composition begging for a re-listen. VCTRE is the real deal, through and through, with SoundCloud releases dating back eight years. In fact, VCTRE is a major reason I fell in love with contemporary bass music. With releases like Enemies, Do It Live!, and the Tiedye Ky Earth Remix, VCTRE became a household name in underground bass music, and that was before an onslaught of longer form projects that solidified his talent, including Animagus, Palindrome, Toad Juice, and East Kings Point. Everything VCTRE touches turns to gold, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.
A master of commandeering moods, VCTRE utilizes tracks like “Up In The Joint” to build intensity in the listener, guiding through ominous beats and subtle build ups. VCTRE is a genius at creating tension and keeping the audience engaged through composition and creating setting. He doesn’t need to sling banger after banger of the most high energy tracks to accomplish his task of captivating a new fan, he just needs to master the art of storytelling and connection, which I’ve never seen VCTRE fail.
I remember hearing “Reverse Naes” for the first time at a Resonant Language show at Warehouse on Watts. VCTRE opened and featured an arsenal of unreleased tracks and I’ll never forget this song. My head did a 180 degree split toward the stage. Everyone in the audience turned their attention and dialed into the artist at work. The energy is downright cool, menacing, and futuristic, seizing you by the throat. The epitome of bass music, Reverse Naes is ferrsure one of the hottest bangers of the year, most likely featured on a plethora of local and friendly USB drives across the country. A testament to the reason we all love bass music. Bass. A mountain, brick wall, wormhole of bass to the face. We love it, we’re here for it.
“In My Head” is another reminder that VCTRE is capable of any musical palette, ranging from absolute psychotic banger to ambient emotional overtures, VCTRE knows what he’s doing. This range of emotions provides a stunning setting for a live set, as the audience is exposed to the highs and lows of life and everything in between, a musical expose into the mindset of the producer and into the complexity of living.
I would never miss a VCTRE set if I were you, it doesn’t sound like beeps and boops, it sounds and feels like music. Real music. This isn’t soulless commercial EDM, this is the future of listening. EDM gets a bad reputation for being repetitive, drug music, and VCTRE is here to put the reputation to rest. While his music is outrageous in a club setting, in fact absolutely bonkers; it also suits the audiophile, headphone listener all the same. This is heady, introspective music for all settings. This is for the music connoisseur. Not to mention VCTRE DJ’s with half of his body due to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. You’re telling me VCTRE’s putting on twice the show with half the body at work? You’re kidding me. This puts the Mad Decent Block Party to shame. It’s about the music, not how you’re moving on stage.
VCTRE doesn’t get by on cheap thrills, cheesy drops, and overworked sound design. VCTRE is a master producer, showcasing years of hardworking and talent in order to bring an original project to the table. And does he succeed? Listening to his finale song, “Crash Course” the brilliance of the project comes to light as he expands upon the bass blows of Reverse Naes and the ambient landscape of “In My Head”, proving one last time that VCTRE is a popular word in underground bass venues across the USA.
Not to mention I heard the guy share’s his production tips and tricks in online classes. Sick.
We’re always awaiting a VCTRE release because we know the chance of disappointment is low. Crunchy, distorted, halftime beats and introspective symphonies, Reciprocity affirms VCTRE’s playing in the big leagues.
“What in the fuck?!!1” I said after listening to the latest J.Lang EP, Protonoid.
What a gloriously glitched out and galactic ride. From the beginning, we’re assaulted with whirlwinds of malfunctions, swirls of static, barrages of bass. Hold onto something, because you might lose your grip. J.Lang portrays a world of dubstep we’ve never witnessed and lets listeners know early, “we aren’t going anywhere familiar”. Freak Sauce Hot Tub is an exclamation point after a beefy “Mean Mug Protocol”. Lurching bass lines, wonky treble, whimsical pads. Alien textures. We’re being teleported. Whether we like it or not. One squelch at a time.
“DUMPSTER SLUT” doesn’t disappoint, pushing the boundaries of saturation (I mean seriously these basses compete with riddim) before settling into oozing neuro and amplified, psychedelic fuzz. This is pure wizardry.
While J.Lang masters the contemporary glitch hop bass line, he’s arranging the sounds into something we’ve heard only on the heaviest of our acid trips, connecting with the deepest of dimensions, in the darkest parts of our minds.
On his website he claims a decade of experience producing computer music, and there’s no denying what we’re seeing is the result of hardwork and talent, combined. If you’re interested in the Tippershere of music, aka Tipper & Friends, you’re doing a disservice leaving J.Lang out of your vocabulary. Expect many shows many lineups, many festivals. Guy is ear candy.
A Denver local, J.Lang is somebody we shouldn’t take our eye off.
Tracks like Weaponized Bonkers remind listeners that J.Lang is in full control, we’re at his mercy, but from the looks of it, he’s taking us for a good time. A damn good time. This is emphasized with Goop Squad Paradise, featuring bass lines that cut like vinyl scratches, edging listeners into a nostalgic b-boy scene from the 1990’s. J.Lang is proving his ability at time travel, and he’s not shy about sharing the experience. This is for the acid heads, the wooks, the mushroom enthusiasts, and audiophiles alike. Anybody with an ear for production greatness will appreciate J.Lang’s “Protonoid”.
In a world where a lot of artists sound similar, here’s something new for your noggin. Tracks like “1-STEPPAA’” will remind you of the railing you’ve been holding onto for the entirety of the project, while breathing life into your vessel one head nod at a time. For as wonky a project, the EP remains danceable, groove-able, noodle-able, throughout its thirty minute duration. I envy in glee at those fortunate enough to experience a J.Lang set on a pair of Funktions, Hennesey’s, Stanley’s, and the like. This is sound system music. And deserves to be heard on a worthwhile rig in front of eager listeners.
What a treat. I stopped writing reviews for a while, so for a project to grab my attention like this, forcing me to write a blog is rare. So I appreciate the original material. Also, shouts out the album artwork, a digital foreshadow into the alien-cybernetic world’s we’re destined to witness under the guidance of J.Lang.
This project slaps, don’t believe me? Here, why not give it a listen yourself?
Here is a list of my favorite Bass Projects (EP/LPs) of 2024
41) Kizer – Recursion EP
Looking for something that quenches your music listening thirst? Try the Recursion EP from Kizer. Tracks like Abnormal and Enhanced are especially keen to my appreciation for glitch. This whole EP stands together as something new and interesting in the field of bass music. Don’t believe me? Why not give Kizer’s Recursion EP a listen for yourself?
40) Zach Christ – 𐘲(𐘨)𐚎𐘲𐝥𐃀𐘡𐘴𐝂.
Zach Christ resurrected the dopest hyper-glitch soundscapes I’ve heard in recent times. This project is absolutely bonkers and deserves a listen from any self-proclaimed introspective listener. I return to this project often when looking for inspiration or queues on how to produce the nastiest and dirtiest glitch. Looking for something different from your average bass tune, something experimental and abrasive? Look no further.
39) VANM – ACTIVATE EP
I don’t know why I like riddim, but I do… something about the feeling of marching the collective unconscious with alien sound effects over thick sub bass and repetitive, lurching beats. It’s quite obliterating. Speaking of obliteration, here’s VANM’s ACTIVATE.
38) Ooga – Brain Legs EP
Ooga blesses listeners with a party in our ears, bringing the fiercest beats we’ve heard from the caveman. What’s going on? Ooga sounds like he’s waging cave war with a rival tribe. We listeners wish a safe and speedy end to this war, but in the meantime, our ears are extremely pleased with the inspiration.
37) Crawdad Sniper – Mellifluous
I’m adding Mellifluous exceptionally late, and honestly it deserves higher in the list, but wasn’t something I found until today. But Mellifluous is from 2024 and I want to make sure it gets recognition. These grooves are funky and exciting to the ears. I needed Crawdad Sniper in my vocabulary much sooner, shame on me. Really digging this project. While I gravitate toward the heavier and grittier, Mellifluous scratches an itch.
36) Aweminus – GURNVILLE EP
Featuring massive sub bass, chaotic drops, variety in genre, Aweminus slams the goofiest dunk we’ve heard in awhile. This project is wonky and head rattling like mid 2000’s tear out dubstep. A nostalgia is present throughout the project, from the bleeps and bloops of Gurnville to the drum n bass of “All The Way Down”, this project satisfies many needs across many genres.
35) Isotropic – Refraction Spaces
I discovered Isotropic dwelling in the land of hyper glitch, a term coined by Woulg and fellow glitch.cool artists. A term to describe the morphing of bass and intelligent dance music. I enjoyed this project, a combination of emotional ambiance and far-out, IDM inspired sound design. Isotropic is easily the most underground on the list with a total of 75 followers, but the project inspired me to push sound design, and fine tune my ambient drone. “Refraction Spaces” is less danceable, and more of a cereal, heady experience, daring the listener to buy the ticket and take the ride.
34) BackLeft x Phunk Bias- Amateur Hour [WPN009]
Looking for heavy neuro drops, punishing glitch-scapes and funky fun? This halftime project is what you’ve been awaiting. Upbeat, funky halftime beats to rock there soul from two heavy hitters in bass music. What an unexpected surprise?
33) EXECUTIONER – CRAWLER IN CRAWLER
Executioner is one of my favorite names in dubstep and has been for a while. I was pleasantly surprised to see the release of “Crawler In Crawler. EXECUTIONER delivers just like his name implies, beheading sound design and chaotic atmospheres. If you’re looking for the darker side of dubstep, look no further. EXECUTIONER is a treat from hell.
32) J.LANG – Shenanigans EP
This jawn bangs. Four cyber bangers loaded one after another. Didn’t learn about J.Lang until recently and I’m thankful I did. Check out the review of his latest project, Protonoid here. Constantly upgrading, J.Lang is a force to be reckoned with in experimental bass music. We’ll be on the look out for more releases. Check out J.Lang’s release on BEET RANCH.
I mean holy shit. Not to mention J.Lang’s Overcomplicated EP released only a few months prior. This guy’s on fire.
31) Pluto Era – The Deep Breath
Pluto Era’s ability to capture mind-melting bass lines, psychedelic atmospheres, and uncanny compositions are a must listen. Take a trip with “The Deep Breath”, an under appreciated album, drawing inspiration from the Tippershere while still maintaining individuality and a unique sound.
30) SVBLIMINAL – THANATONAUT
I owe SVBLIMINAL for aiding my transition back into riddim. She runs a popular instagram account, showcasing new WIPS, riddim chops, and behind the scenes madness. She’s hilarious. And her bubbly personality, ear for good music, and quality content keeps me returning. THANATONAUT breathed fresh air into the riddim scene, opting for a thematic concept album, something a bit different. Get lost in the void as we confront our deepest fears with SVBLIMINAL.
29) WRAZ. & MYTHM – CLOAK AND DAGGER
This project is fire. Front to back. Banger after banger from two certified dub masters. If you’re looking for a refreshing take on riddim, this project is for you. Seriously, can’t for another collaboration. Is that possible?
28) BackLeft – Gene Driver
This was the first project I heard from BackLeft, and guess what? I’m a fan. Featuring kick ass halftime beats, neurohop neurosis, and original composition, this project is nuts. Heavy, to say the least.
A foreshadow of much more to come.
27) Soulacybin – Bug Eyes
Another name I regret not seeing last year. Soulacybin proves why he’s not another “Tipper Clone”, pushing original composition, psychedelic atmospheres, and upbeat bangers, see why Soulacybin’s making a name for himself in bass music. The Philadelphia native is proof the local scene has nothing but potential.
26) Sqonk – Groovy Smoothie.
Despite a terrible year, there were silver linings. Seeing Sqonk was one of these silver linings. A talented producer, it feels like somebody’s filling my car’s gas tank with pure liquid LSD. High octane, ignition on. Let’s get groovy. Highly recommend this up & comer. A Pennsylvania native, when not occupying a music studio, find Sqonk roaming the Appalachian Mountain ranges like a true PA legend.
25) Hokey Boi – Upturn
Have you heard of Hokey Boi? You will after his latest project “Upturn”. Hokey Boi brings the bangers, challenging listeners with textured bass lines. and psychedelic intrusions. There was no shortage of Hokey Boi last year, dropping multiple EP’s but finishing the year strong with “Upturn”.
24) Fika – Deprivation EP
Fika, who the hell is Fika? Dropping two EP’s within a few months, Fika stuns listeners with overweight bass lines and bellowing beats from halftime hell. Like somebody’s trying to fit a floppy disc in a USB port. If you’re into groovy mind-melting lunacy, this is for you.
23) Humandala – Toasty In Happy Computer // Bad Operator
One of my biggest regrets is missing a Humandala show. What a project. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know about this project before “Happy Computer//Bad Operator”, but boy am I glad I showed up to the party a little late, regardless. If you’re looking for the freshest sounds is psychedelic bass music, look no further. This project is incredible.
22) BREAD WINNER – little songs
Does this guy ever disappoint? Seriously, funky banger after funky banger, this guy knows how to party. Wouldn’t recommend sleeping on Bread Winner. He’s also one of the more accessible artists on this list, less sound design mayhem and more danceable beats and grooves. Bread Winner is just that. A winner for 2024.
21) MYTHM – Mind of Madness
This is one of the first projects from 2024 I remember enjoying. Everything MYTHM touches turns to gold. Don’t believe me? Check out “Mind of Madness” and his riddim collaborative project with Wraz. This guy is dope.
20) Mr. Bill – Mechanomorphic
Does Bill even need an introduction? One of the leading influences in bass music, Mr. Bill proves why he’s always a relevant name in bass music, simultaneously showcasing features from Vctre, COPYCATT, Underbelly, and more. If you’re looking for an education in powerful production, Bill is always an option. I missed an opportunity to see Mr. Bill and I promised myself. Never again.
While not typically a fan of the more upbeat EDM sound, focusing more on the dark and dirty, Mechanomorphic has a track for everybody.
19) Hooligan – No Sight
I was excited for this release, following Hooligan’s work over the past years. Front to back, this is a strong example of strong beatsmithing: Textured Organics being one of my favorite tracks of the year. Stay tuned for more.
18) Herbalistek – Diraliavoid
Following the hype from Tipper & Friends, I discovered Herbalistek’s Diraliavoid. A victory for experimental dubstep, exploring liquid gold sound design and experimental beats. This album is different, uncanny, weird. Wet. Highly recommend for anybody brave enough to venture out of bounds.
17) Audio Goblin – Molting
Listening to this project recently, I would’ve felt wrong leaving “Molting” off the list. Audio Goblin is hot right now. There is no wasted space on this album, only a smooth journey. If you want the best in contemporary glitch hop, you have arrived.
16) Noer The Boy – Mr. Gibbons EP
Dude this project is amazing, seriously. Why is Noer The Boy so slept on? Noer constantly reminds us why he’s a ‘vanguard’ in psychedelic bass music. An innovator, pioneer, and inspiration to many, especially those of us who don’t understand music theory and rely on sound design and interesting composition.
15) Sighless – Roses of Silk
I loved this project. Neuro ambient horror. Experimental dubstep. Glitch. Sighless brings the intensity with Roses of Silk. If you’re looking for something intense, dark, and vibrant with creativity, this is for you. Heavily anticipating another release.
14) ONHELL – Sandía EP
I listen to this project. A lot. Its an easy listen, featuring crisp production and forward thinking bass. If you’re looking to explore the darker side of ONHELL, this is for you.
13) Ginseng – Miracle Surface/Catfish Conundrum
I love Ginseng. This guy knows how to produce, offering a downtempo and uptempo EP last year, Ginseng does it all. Because both EP’s capture such different vibes and atmosphere and both released in 2024, I’m including both on the list. Why not, the more Ginseng the better!
12) Swampz – CHROME TO YA DOME
This project fucks. A mixture of experimental bass, dubstep, and trap, this project rewinded to the days of Skepp & Hawk, the days of head nodding beats, and body numbing bass. The good ol days.
11) Hyper Heaven – Lord Genmu
This project was on repeat upon release. A Bleep Bloop feature, seriously? In what well did you find Bleep Bloop? Front to back, this project is exceptional in every way, filling a void in the need for intrusive, distorted bass music.
10) Nvctve – Viscera EP
Easily one of my favorite artists, and saw Nvctve open for Resonant Language. A life changing experience, this guy is the future of dubstep and halftime, often combining the two genres into something he calls “Nightmare Music”. Check this out, yo.
9) DIGITIST – DEMONSTRATION OF FORCE
The only EP I reviewed last year, due to various unforeseen circumstances. However, Digitist is probably my favorite name in dubstep. Powerful, lurching sound design that penetrates the soul. Aggressive, angry, minimalistic, yet simultaneously complex
8) Finding Balance – Deescawa
Who knew Russia had an underground bass scene? There were few projects I listened to as much as “Finding Balance”. This project is original as hell, featuring halftime beats, neuro funk, its hard to put a finger on the genre, drawing inspiration from across multiple genres. This project is dope. Moody with fangs.
7) NEWSENSEI – Look What They Left Of You
NEWSENSEI released music last year? Yeah, some 10+ projects. However, out of all the recordings, this was my all time favorite. It’s something about the Grateful Dead references, resurrecting bass lines, and simplicity. It’s a perfect project and received absolutely no reception whatsoever. A cult classic.
If you own a subwoofer, you’ll see what I mean.
6) Cloud D – Shelter From The Storm
Another underrated project, “Shelter From The Storm” proves why Cloud_D is one of the hottest names in bass music. Carving out his own niche, Cloud_D explores cloudy atmospheres, dark corners, and the macabre. A project that weighs emotionally on the listener, while simultaneously calling to action. This project is thought provoking, inspiring, and original.
5) MINDEX – Resurrection Machine EP
A testament to production skills, “Resurrection Machine” is what happens when you cross beautiful chords and lovely ambiance, with quaking bass lines, ominous glitch, and symphonic compositions. This is for the heady heads.
4) The Gaslamp Killer & Jason Wool – ANANDA
This is a real project? Yes, drawing inspirations from the LA Beat Scene to underground experimental bass, this project is a testament to inspirations like the Low End Theory venue and Flying Lotus. This project feels wholesome. Nostalgic. It’s less danceable, more reliant on a vibe.
3) Onyx Garden – Xenophyonophore
I’ve been following Onyx Garden since his project CNXDRSON, and can tell you nobody saw the Onyx Garden project coming. Rebranding and releasing multiple albums, Onyx Garden proved he’s one of the hottest names in bass music and idm, drawing listeners into a completely original world of textures, landscapes, and emotion. This is a truly special project.
2) Mickman – You Have To Start Somewhere
Mickman’s cheerful, upbeat energy is palpable on his releases. The vibrant producer proves time and time again why he’s risen to festival headliner, featuring a wide array of emotions and production influences, Mickman’s “You Have To Start Somewhere” is proof Mickman’s no fluke. Proof Mickman’s only getting started. Listeners were teased with bits from the album on the Mickman Mini Mix and were surprised to find a completely new arrangement of tracks on “You Have To Start Somewhere”. How sick.
1) Seppa – See It Through LP
I was fortunate to see Seppa last year, which meant I heard “See It Through” played live. Silly me, I didnt even know Seppa released a new album and was floored when I heard the tunes over a professional sound system. Upon the shows conclusion, I stayed glued to the LP for the remainder of the year, and continue to listen. It’s not difficult to see why Seppa remains a pioneer in the genre of neurohop/glitch hop.
In absence of raves, my weekends are spent at the Lehigh Valley’s Mahoning Drive-In movie theater, the USA’s oldest drive-in theater premiering vintage favorites, cult classics, and horror masterpieces, often catching films like Cannibal Holocaust, Alien, Scanners, and Chainsaw Hookers: raw, nostalgia trips through distorted, creative genius. Body bags and all.
When I stumbled upon DIGITIST’SDEMONSTRATION OF FORCE, the lurching landscapes, mechanical-infused sound design, consuming growls, and punishing bass lines mirrored the sanctuary of a badass horror movie. Tension, destruction, survival.
Who doesn’t like a good scare?
From the start, Barbarian seizes audiences with ripping textures and demanding progression, transcending listeners through dramatic rhythm shifts, flexing production skills, while offering forward thinking sound design over combinations of dubstep and hardcore. For the UK fans, right? The impressive contrast of genres is masterfully articulated and certain to leave dance floors crumbling.
DIGITIST masters ‘tear out’ dubstep, a sub-genre pioneered by Excision, Zomboy, Midnight Tyrannosaurus, and MARAUDA highlighting heavy metal atmospheres, compressed-brostep bass lines, and chaotic crowds. However, DIGITIST’s authenticity is unquestioned, showcasing originality and blending genres like UK garage on his track ‘Interloper’ after assaulting listeners with dubstep monstrosity ‘Crude Oil’. The EP demonstrates unique experimentation, ethereal ambiance while combatting demonic drops and screeching highs. DIGITIST conducts a symphony from hell.
Cinematic, DEMONSTRATION OF FORCE captivates listeners with seven incendiary tracks. Roughly twenty-five minutes. Replay value?
Like a bowl of pretzels and a tasty beer: “Can you ever eat just one pretzel?” While I typically enjoy the Tipper-sphere of music, the r/spacebass, experimental bass producers, I’ve been returning to my roots: dubstep, particularly because it expresses anger. A forgotten emotion, and especially important to Modern Psychoanalysts – subconsciously rooted anger, the genesis of neurosis.
As a Slipknot, Korn, and Tool fan, I particularly loved dubstep for the ability to thrash, a noticeable difference to glitch hop and house. Isn’t it important we have music to represent these repressed times? The full spectrum of emotion?
Finishing the project with THAW, a drum and bass inspired song, DIGITIST concludes DEMONSTRATION OF FORCE like any decent horror flick: leaving the audience demanding more! DIGITIST possesses a unique sound palette, blending the lines between alien experimentation and the demonic underworld. Inspiration from producer comrade, EXECUTIONER, on tracks like UNCIVILIZED are highlighted, another upcoming producer known for intriguing arrangement, top tier sound design, menacing auras— who deserves increased attention.
Dubstep, riddim, UKG, hardcore, drum and bass: DEMONSTRATION OF FORCE represents a production milestone for producer DIGITIST – a robust, multidimensional listening experience. Not to mention a FULL EP VISUALIZER on the DIGITIST YouTube channel, featuring VHS style distortions, digital tracers, and bad-trip voyeurism. A name to remember in the evolving landscape of dubstep and experimental bass, DIGITIST leads by example!
The artwork alone speaks volumes. Can you judge an EP by its cover? DEMONSTRATION OF FORCE provides the argument.
THE BADBOOB 