Mystic State – Tactic Systems EP [Flexout Audio]

Posted on 4th March 2015 by DNB Dojo

Mystic State are back with a really varied EP for Flexout Audio showcasing the duos ample talents. The vocal talents of Lucy Kitchen open the EP over the beautiful melodies and deep atmospheres of Slip Away, a track which feels more aimed at the armchair than the dancefloor. Gremlinz collab Don’t Start switches the tone, heading for darker territory with Megatron MC on the mic.

Far Cry continues that trend with more weighty halftime shenanigans that ooze dark atmosphere. Last but not least, Faded heads back to warmer and more musical territory, with a playful back beat, hypnotic melodies and a hint of dub. It’s great to hear the duo pushing the envelope in terms of what the 170 sound can encompass! Check out the clips below and look for this at all good digital stores from Mar 30th.

ZEPH4R – Flip The Script [T3K Ltd]

Posted on 2nd March 2015 by DNB Dojo

Kaiza’s busy T3K release schedule continues with a new EP from ZEPH4R on the label’s “Ltd” arm. Featuring dark textures and intricate percussive details, the tracks on offer show tons of promise from a producer with plenty more to offer. The titular Flip The Script has proved the Dojo favourite with it’s combo of creepy FX and growling bass swells; check out the clips below and grab this from your favourite digital store now!

Quentin Hiatus – Chocolate Cosmos EP [Free Love Digi]

Posted on 14th February 2015 by DNB Dojo

Free Love Digi continue their steady onslaught of releases with a fresh EP from label boss Quentin Hiatus. Pushing the boundaries as ever, Quentin explores more weird and wonderful takes on the 170BPM sound. The Struggle melts down influences from techno and beyond for a psychedelic and potent slice of 4×4 D&B, while Chocolate Cosmos hits those slouching, hip-hop style halftime riddims that Mr Hiatus does so well.

One Way Or Another goes into deep space, harnessing the power of dub for a tripped out, reverb drenched jam. Last but not least, Understatement ups the ante a bit with angular percussion and an ominous, robotic vibe. Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping at all good digital outlets from Feb 23rd.

Generous man that he is Quentin is also giving away a nice little freebie to promote the EP in the form of Lucy. Treading similar ground to The Struggle, this one’s got more than a hint of techno to it; check it out and grab a free download from Soundcloud.

Seba – Inside Yourself / Berberian Sound [Secret Operations]

Posted on 11th February 2015 by DNB Dojo

Seba’s latest single sees him blending the sounds of deep house and techno with the tempo and rhythms of Drum & Bass. For once the description in the press release is actually pretty illuminating: “This is the type of sound that I listen to when I go out clubbing. The only difference is that the tempo is usually 125-130 BPM”. The stabs, pads and general atmosphere of Inside Yourself will certainly be familiar to anyone with an ear for techno production.

Berberian Sound moves things into spookier territory, with the synth lead and booming bass both lending the track a tense, ominous edge. As usual Seba’s ability to craft detailed, clever beats with one foot on the dancefloor and the other in some strange dimension remains unassailable. Check out the clips below and watch out for this one dropping on vinyl and digital from Feb 16th (though judging by the delays on the last Secret Operations release, this may slip).

RQ – Shimmer / Traces [Blu Mar Ten Music]

Posted on 9th February 2015 by DNB Dojo

Blu Mar Ten Music kick of 2015 with a great new release from Kiwi producer RQ. Shimmer combines soft piano, deft atmospherics and interesting natural percussion for a sublime slice of melodic electronica; think Liquid meets Autonomic and you’re halfway there, though that lazy journalistic shorthand doesn’t really do the tune justice.

Traces provides a worthy flipside, harnessing the spirit of golden era GLR/Intelligent D&B with more lush synth work. The entire first half builds the suspense before the classic breaks kick in for the second half providing that ever vibrant contrast between soft, melodic elements and tough, distorted amens. Deeper beats as usual from the BMTM camp – check out the clips below and grab the release from your favourite digital outlet now!

Nutekk & KnowKontrol – Let You Go [Free Love Digi]

Posted on 25th January 2015 by DNB Dojo

FLD continue to push the boundaries of the 170BPM sound with a new single from Nutekk & KnowKontrol. The Lithuanian producer blends tough drum beats with floating synth lines and ethereal vocals to create an entirely unusual take on the established D&B sound. Cinematic vibes! Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite digital outlet from Jan 26th.

Respite [Audio Plants]

Posted on 17th January 2015 by DNB Dojo

Russian imprint Audio Plants offer up a superb selection of beats from the fringes of 160 and 170BPM electronica, taking in influences from ambient and downtempo on a wide variety of sonic excursions. Highlights come on the bleak atmospherics of Torn’s Believers, the soaring melodies of Thankee & Urban Trip’s The Absyss and the ominous autonomic microfunk of Hidden Element’s How Can I Trust You, but the standout track is the manic 160BPM garage infused beats of Drillcut’s Snow Walk. Check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite digital outlet now!

Oliver Yorke – Into The Void EP [Vandal Ltd]

Posted on 6th January 2015 by DNB Dojo

Oliver Yorke delivers the latest release for Vandal Records’ LTD imprint with a four track EP of spacey, atmospheric, experimental D&B. Into The Void provides the perfect intro, with trance inducing melodic touches and intricate beatwork building suspense as to what the rest of the collection might hold. On Your Mind keeps things deep, with pads and reverb laying the ground work for a twisting, echoing journey set to a half-time riddim. You could get lost in this one with ease.

Celestial Shadows provides the EP’s darkest track, focussing on rumbling sub and gnarly bass growls over a backbone of intricate percussive touches, though the temptation to turn this into a dancefloor smasher has been avoided – this is still a pretty deep composition, even with the extra bass weight. Last but not least, Cerebral heads back into space with arpegiated melodies and a splash of the autonomic vibe.

Overall this EP has incredible depth and vision, especially for a producer in a relatively early stage of their career. Check out the clips below and look for this dropping from Jan 12th.

Ghast – The Drake Equation EP [Free Love Digi]

Posted on 1st December 2014 by DNB Dojo

Free Love Digi bring us yet another essential release, cementing the label’s reputation for cutting edge 170BPM sounds. Nootropics opens the salvo on Ghast’s latest work, showing a clever progression from the raging tech of the drop into the mellower and more atmospheric tones of the second half of the track. Retrovertigo sees this atmosphere flowing onwards into glitchy, half-time drums and deep, rich synth leads and atmospheres.

The Drake Equation brings the tone to a darker place again, with creepy synths and frenetic, jungle-infused drums clattering away as the tune drives along. Last but not least Vice Versa brings together twisted jazz licks, eastern vocal cut ups and a slouching, hip-hop-ish beat for the EP’s most “far out” track. Truly innovative stuff. Check out the clips below and grab this from your favourite digital store from December 1st.

Odd Harmonics – Traveller EP [Roughmind]

Posted on 23rd October 2014 by DNB Dojo

Berlin label Roughmind serve up their latest release from London based producer Odd Harmonics. The EP shows off a nice variety of musical styles, with influences from across the spectrum of D&B showing through. Reflekt betrays an affinity with the chopped up beats of drumfunk producers like Paradox, while False Positive serves up a skittering, brooding halfstep beat set to twisted bass growls and soft, atmospheric pads.

The latter half of the EP takes things in a techier and more stripped back direction, bringing to mind early Octane & DLR productions like Back In The Grind. Both Routine and Traveller bring a nice blend of warped bass, crisp beats and creepy overlays to the table.

You can also find a nice little promo mix to go with the release featuring beats from Odd Harmonics alongside cuts from Calibre, Loxy, G.H.O.S.T., Paradox and more. Check it out below, and watch out for the release dropping from October 24th at all good digital stores.

DNB Dojo

Drum & Bass News and Reviews

Tag Archives: Atmospheric