Tag Archives: Experimental

Fade – Discover Music [Faded Music]

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Fade returns with a new EP aiming to meld the more experimental side of the 170BPM sound with dancefloor sensibilities for a selection of tracks that can make you think as well as move. Discover Music leads the charge with a superb wonky bassline and playful drums, taking fairly dark sounds but turning them into a light hearted composition. The amusingly titled Bass Burger is up next; I’m not sure how experimental this one really is but it’s a bit of a banger regardless! Catchy hooks and massive basslines, yes please.

Error glitches things the fuck up and no mistake; rapid fire stabs and skittering percussion work lead this one all over the place; you might see some confused faces on the dancefloor if you drop this one! This just leaves Quarantine and Utopia to close out the EP with some meaty tech business. As usual Fade is on top form; check out the clips below and look for this from April 20th!

Perverse – Terrain / Petrichor [Flexout Audio]

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Kiwi duo Perverse are best known for their productions in the 140 realm, with a host of deep dubstep releases for the likes of Tempa and beyond. It seems they’re dipping their toes into the D&B pond now though, and the results are pretty impressive!

Both tracks on show here carry the influence of the original dubstep sound but set to a half-time D&B tempo; deep sub, nice atmospherics and sparse but detailed drum rhythms characterise the compositions, with Terrain keeping things light and airy while Petrichor scuzzes up the bass and brings in a slightly more militant tone via metallic percussion and a more insistent back beat.

As usual Flexout don’t disappoint, and I for one hope to hear more 170BPM material from Perverse. Check out the clips below and cop this one from the Flexout Bandcamp now!

DYL – Occultism EP [Terra Null Recordings]

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The latest release on Cirrus’ Terra Null Recordings imprint comes from Romanian producer DYL who brings an experimental sound to the table, blurring the lines between techno and D&B. Macelarie kicks things off with a weird rhythm which just refuses to drop the kick drums where you expect them to land, set to a rich texture of atmospherics. Occultism straightens out the groove a bit, keeping things pretty dark and ominous as it drives along at a steady half-time gate.

Signal 1 amps up the industrial vibes, with static and crunchy drum impacts pervading the mix to great effect. Last but not least Galleria sees DYL teaming up with Mauoq for a slice of moody halfstep punctuated with jungle style break fills. Tasty stuff! Check out the clips below and look for this one from April 13th.

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Chorux – Polaris EP [Warm Communications]

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We’ve long been fans of Warm Communications here at the Dojo; the label’s knack for releasing tracks which have dancefloor appeal without sacrificing musicality and soul is up there with the best of them, and their latest release from newcomer Chorux fits that mould perfectly.

Don’t Even Know brings together a soulful vocal and classic liquid piano chords with a tough break and growling bassline for some of that tech-with-soul/liquid-with-teeth that we love so much. Polaris keeps the beats chunky and the bass growling but swaps the melancholy piano for a manic, sweeping, bleeping lead. Hints of dub and a playful tone make this one stand out.

That playful theme continues on It’s All Happenning; this one’s a deep, wobbly roller that should move a floor without any bother. Away From The Light closes things out with plenty of cheeky back and forth between the shimmering lead and the wompy bassline, each element coming to the fore before rapidly running for the shadows once again.

We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Chorux in the future; check out the clips below and grab this one from your favourite digital store now!

Classic Track: Riya – Seems Like

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Today’s classic selection comes from Riya and dBridge in the form of Seems Like. The second release in the short but perfectly formed (and massively influential) Autonomic series combines Riya’s knack for a melancholy vocal with dBridge’s synth driven explorations in 85/170BPM envelope pushing, and still sounds as rich and fresh as it did nearly five years ago. Deeper beats…

Quentin Hiatus – Passive Boycot EP [Translation Recordings]

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When two of the most innovative names in US D&B get together, you know you’re in for a treat! The latest release on Translation Recordings comes courtesy of Free Love Digi bossman and general 170BPM badman Quentin Hiatus, who regular readers probably already know we’re big fans of.

Melting down glitch, techstep, footwork, soul and more into the pot, QH comes correct with an eclectic selection that should be capable of moving both your feet and your braincells. The EP explores the slow/fast thing the likes of Om Unit have been pushing, playing with the shuffling half-time D&B pattern across a variety of tonal palettes.

The ultra-insistent, hyper-syncopated conga drums of Obsessive Nature and the swaggering bassline shenanigans of Keep It Gangster stand out as highlights among a strong four track selection which you can hear below. Hit up the Translation Bandcamp to pre-order now, and look for this one dropping at all good digital outlets from March 16th.

Cirrus – Dark Skies EP [Alchemic Breaks]

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Alchemic Breaks cement their reputation for quality, forward thinking beats with a fresh new EP from Terra Null Recordings boss Cirrus. The Dark Skies EP lives up to its name, with all four tracks bringing ominous, foreboding vibes with dark textures and plenty of atmosphere.

All four tracks are well worth a listen, from the punchy drums of of Dark Skies through the skittering glitches and rich, throbbing bass of Lost In The Desert. The Hannibal-sampling Ugly Variables proves the standout track, with it’s mix of perfectly programmed drums and spooky vocal clips, leaving Wind Like This to close the EP with something slightly more melodic.

Cirrus and Alchemic Breaks and definitely both on our “to watch” list for this year on the strength of this release! Check out the clips below and grab the release from your favourite digital store from Mar 16th.

Mystic State – Tactic Systems EP [Flexout Audio]

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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.

Ivy Lab – Twenty Questions EP [Critical Music]

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The unmistakeable production trio that is Ivy Lab are back with another fine selection for Critical Music, and they’re continuing to push their sound in all the right directions. As you’d expect, there are a couple of superb deep rollers (of which Gomeisa is the Dojo favourite), but there’s also a meaty slab of dark tech in the form of Forex, which sounds like a love letter to the early Virus Recordings sound.

The rest of the EP is given over to the team’s explorations in crunked up, half-time, hip-hop’n’bass. The D&B purists are doubtless gonna hate it, but I challenge anyone hearing the likes of Two By Two in the dance not to bust out a mad swagger! To round things out there’s fantastic discotronic remix of Live On Your Smile from El Train and an unusually deep mix of Slinky from the joyously unpredictable Sam Binga. Check out the clips below and hit up the Critical Store to grab this on vinyl or digital now; full release drops from March 9th.

Conduct – Vanguard [Diffrent Music]

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Diffrent continue to expand their “Giraffestep” sub-imprint with a fresh new EP from Conduct, who follows up recent releases for Blu Mar Ten Music and Lifestyle with a militant selection of half-step badness for Dexta’s esteemed collective.

Vanguard opens the EP with a sludgy, stomping drum rhythm and grimey bass under layers and layers of ominous atmospherics. Residuum meanwhile proves an abstract, almost beatless study in reverb and ambience, echoing almost serenely around the stereo mix. Last but by no means least, Confrontation clatters around with steely drums, robotic FX and plenty of attitude. Danger! Check out the clips below and grab this from the Diffrent Bandcamp right now, with full release following at all good digital stores from Feb 23rd.

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