The Bass Drop – January Pt. 1

With 2020 being a great year for new Bass and Electronic music, and global lockdowns driving producers and laypeople alike to become more creative, 2021 is sure to see the release of many gems to add to the scene and, no doubt, break into new territories.

The first release Friday of the new year falls on the 8^th January and there are a few pieces to look out for.

UNKNOWN – UNTITLED 001

One thing new to emerge is the record label Unknown Untitled which has a goal of releasing concept music without identifying artist details.  Primarily music is released in hard copy.  The digital release for UU001 is about to drop and on this occasion, we learn who was behind it.  The group known as Cameo Blush, which was started by John Dunk and had great success with Murky Waters in the summer of 2019, have returned with a three-track EP called In Cadence.  The title track effortlessly holds a rolling melody which is a pleasing listen.  However, Clearclutter is very much worth a listen.  It fires with military precision, punching a prominent yet hollow-sounding bassline.  Coupled with a head-bopping beat boasting fills that are battle-ready.  A whole EP worth having in the bag to keep the set rolling. Listen / Buy

MENTAL MOVIE THEATRE (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Mental Movie Theatre was released on Bare Records and is a generous composition from different producers such as Etch, DJ Gridlock, Three Oscillators, FILM and more.  This release leans towards tracks which have an updated feel of 90s rave.  It’s a fun, nostalgic listen but brings all the polish of modern-day production.  One such track is Endlessly by Polo Lilli which sets the groove early with synth rolls and higher-pitched vocal stabs, before going onto one of quite a few progressions, bringing the familiar piano chords, bass and chops.  A good full listen for any heads that appreciate the oldskool. Listen / Buy

DBRIDGE – WEAK OR NO SIGNAL

It’s always exciting to see a release from Dbridge. This time with a largely Drum and Bass themed piece of work called Weak or No Signal, releasing on Exit records. Dbridge has shown how adept he is at producing across genres and this progressive piece displays sheer skill. With a piercing kick and stuttering tops, Things Change is a strong track to add to your collection. It rolls a continuous warbling, yet tearing, bassline and is flecked with cowbells to enhance the bop. Listen/Buy

TRAKA – START TAKING NOTE EP

Traka is releasing Start Taking Note EP on Yuku records. The EP is full of deep, dark, heavily atmospheric tracks which hold quite a mixture of beat patterns throughout. Hybrid is great listen on this EP. It has a searching buzz lead bassline which is softly accompanied with a soft rolling beat before a melodic mandolin creeps in to progress the tone of the track. The EP will have a limited release on a red vinyl which would be great for the collection.  Worth picking up as there are other great tracks, including the title track with the addition of hard-hitting lyrics from South London MC, Killa P. Listen/Buy

SCRATCHA DVA & NKC – HARD / MATCH

Scratcha DVA and NKC have teamed up to release two tracks on Even The Strong records.  Both producers have released brilliant pieces of work in 2020, especially the trilogy by Scratcha DVA of Interludes, Intros and Outros, a truly thought-provoking piece of work.  This time he has made a weighty single-toned bass lead track called Hardbody 999 which is delicately accompanied by a somewhat minimalist yet rhythmic drum arrangement.  An amazingly well-produced track which would surprise any person who felt put off by heavily bass-driven music as this carries a continual intrigue amidst the pulsating bass thumps. Listen / Buy