Based in Galway, Ireland, Rua Sound have been operating for just under five years, but in that relatively short period they’ve already established themselves as purveyors of some of the most exciting sounds in the 170 sphere. The main label plays host to the melting pot of sounds crossing grime, dub, jungle and D&B while sister-imprint Foxy Jangle sprang up to provide more “straight up” jungle outings.

Quality control has been their hallmark on both fronts, with just 11 releases on the main label and 6 more Jangle 12″s, but the results speak for themselves; all killer, no filler. Read on for five of our faves…

TMSV – Fission Chips [RUA002]

Whether it’s the grimey A-Side or the dubbed out flip, this single from TMSV proves the genre-smashing potential of the halftime sound, giving the space and versatility to incorporate different sounds and influences into a veritable melting pot of bass-y goodness.

Sully – Soundboy Don’t Push Your Luck [FOXY2]

Sully kicked off Rua’s catalogue with their very first release, and while that’s also excellent there’s something absolutely earwormingly infectious about Soundboy. Classic jungle vibes which still sound so fresh, especially with that deliciously soulful vocal.

Arcane – Labyrinth EP [RUA011]

Arcane serves up another selection of hybrid experimentalism that has defined so much of the Rua catalogue, delivering spacey halftime and atmospheric, cut-up jungle. The drum programming on this release is absolutely top-notch.

Comma & A.Fruit – Gasworks / Gonman [RUA007]

Fans of all things low-end heavy would do well to wrap their ears around this one. Comma brings the LA Bass while A.Fruit melds in ragga and bashment vibes for a punchy system-smasher, and there are top-notch remixes from Itoa and TMSV to boot.

FFF – No Ice Cream [FOXY6]

Pure junglist joy from the Dutch breakbeat badman FFF. ‘Nuff said!

There you have it; five essentials from the Rua Sound / Foxy Jangle archives. Be sure to hit up Soundcloud or Bandcamp to check out the rest of the label catalogue!