Supersonic (VIP) (feat Skrillex, Josh Pan & Dylan Brady) (4:39)
The Hole (part 1) (5:02)
Closer (2:32)
Review: After they announced their decision to call time in 2020, Dutch D&B heavyweight trio Noisia are drawing a line under their project with this authoritative final statement, Closer. Pulling together some of their final studio experiments, which were originally intended as a follow up to 2016's Outer Edges, there's a lot to take in. The devoted Noisia fanbase will be savouring every last drop, from the collabs with Camo & Crooked, Skrillex and The Upbeats to the last standalone drops from one of the most inventive forces ever to grace drum & bass. Giving the release the ceremony it deserves, this edition comes on silver vinyl across four LPs. A definitive kicker from a group we'll never see the likes of again.
Review: Random Rap Records offshoot Dinked 45 has hit gold with 'Happy (Hammond)', the first single in seven years from Chris Read and keyboardist Rob Barron's occasional So Much Soul Players project. As the title suggests, it's a cheeky and cheery Hammond funk reinvention of Pharrell Williams' classic which features Barron playing the famous melody - alongside a few wild solos - atop a sweaty, bass-heavy, breakbeat-driven dancefloor groove. It's a simple idea brilliantly executed all told and a guaranteed party-starter to boot. Over on the flip you'll find a slightly tougher, shorter 'Instrimental Mix' that cuts down the use of the melody in favour of elongated Hammond chords and more prominent beats, as well as a short 'Bonus Beats' drum track for DJs who like to get busy in the mix.
Review: Swedish d&b pioneer Seba continues to roll out more reissues from his Secret Operations label vaults, taking back over 15 years to some of his most career-defining work. The swaggering opener 'Your Deepest Love', the ice cold finale piece 'Legion' and the breath-taking 'Forever' all take us back to the mid-2000s (2006/7 to be precise) when Seba and his label really started to make their own independent mark in drum & bass. For good measure and balance he's also including 'Inkasso'. A little more recent in his discography at only eight years old, but just as hard hitting and timeless - Seba always hits the spot whatever era you find him at.
Review: With 'Vibes', Dutch drum & bass/jungle outfit Cat In The Bag temporarily let the feline out of the case, yet they still retain enough integrity, and rein in the shellage, to the extent that the cat is nonetheless seduced back in after a certain time. Such is the art of alley-cat drum & bass, comparable in mood to "rollage"; it's all about a fine balance of hard-hitting impactfulness and careful vibe-restraint, else the mog'll arch its back and dash off elsewise. No wonder the first tune's called 'Level Vibes'; Dial-M and Msymiakos achieve an intricate, intelligent mood of levity, a belief-suspensory dread zone in which level-headedness serves as a proxy for the execution of a skittish agility, as of a cat. Our feline reccy no less reliably scours the 'Frontline'; amens penetrate hard garrisons of bass and atmoss with relentless keratinous claws, proving retractable paw-blades really can break walls. The B-siders, 'Warehouse Dub' and 'Dub Rock', provide more novelty appeal, preferring to build sound(e-)scapes that both build upon and take flight from the warpath.
Review: Just how solid of a balance between highs and lows can you get? Fastidious research study into EQ optimisation seems to have gone into this shunter from Bladerunner, Chimpo and Sl8r, three new-gen juggernauts of the UK drum & bass circuit. Helping Philly Blunt achieve their lit-up ends, the pair kick off the label's latest subseries with a limited transparent red 12", nodding visually to its mid-90s heyday. Bladerunner vets suspected replicants with two empathic response tests, 'Chronic' and 'Straight Up', both cut from the same tough, emphatic cloth. On the flip, Chimpo & Sl8r make their label debut, swerving between grime and jungle with a distinct Manc slant, a sound refined across releases for Metalheadz, The North Quarter and Hospital. A sharp extension of the Philly Blunt legacy, which began in 1994 with rave-wrecking cuts like Leviticus' 'Burial' and Dillinja's 'Sky'.
Consequence - "I Forgot You & You Forgot Me" (6:58)
Carrier - "A Victim Of Gravity" (4:51)
Steffi - "Yellow Background" (5:05)
Freedom Engine - "Welcome To The Pharmacy" (5:59)
Review: Exit Records wraps up its 100 series with EXIT100 Pt. Four, featuring an eclectic line-up of cutting-edge beats, drum & bass, techno and experimental tracks. Curated by label boss dBridge, it embodies Exit's forward-thinking ethos that brings together some of the most inventive names in the scene. From Tasha & Cadans' 'Soft Grimness' to Freedom Engine's atmospheric 'Welcome to the Pharmacy,' each track showcases a unique approach to the electronic dance scene. This final instalment perfectly represents Exit's progressive sound and vision, celebrating a legacy while firmly looking to the future.
Review: Refreshers is a little-known alias of Lukid, an underrated producer who has previously explored murky lo-fi sounds on cult labels like Werk Discs. With this alias, though, he makes drum & bass and jungle, and crafted the original featured here back in 2021 and dropped it into his Dekmantel mix. It was heard by the Future Retro label head who reached out to release it and we're glad he did. It's a hidden treasure that is dark, intricate and perfectly crafted. The surprise release feels like uncovering a secret moment in jungle history and it comes with Phineus II's powerful remix, which adds depth and drum rawness, which makes this a vital pick up.
Tim Reaper & Drumlinezz - "Deep Into Space & Back" (5:49)
Coco Bryce - "Adventures In Perception" (5:08)
Threshold - "Pluto's Song" (5:50)
Response & Pliskin - "Anima Morta" (6:46)
Earl Grey - "Levitate" (7:57)
Thugwidow - "Pilgrim" (6:57)
Cavanaut - "Vanishing Point" (8:20)
Theory - "Smoke & Mirrors" (6:43)
Sonic - "00000005_dubwise_selection-v12" (4:51)
Dead Man's Chest & Coco Bryce - "Trip II Trinity" (6:03)
King Kutlass - "Trouble Dub" (4:42)
Review: Since launching last year, Dead Man's Chest's Western Lore imprint has blessed us with nothing but contemporary (but immaculately rootiscal) jungle. Blunted Breaks takes things to a whole new level, however, as we're treated to 12 more outstanding broken affairs from some of DMC's peers; Earl Grey, Threshold, Thugwidow, Coco Bryce and many more. Highlights hang from every corner of the crate as the likes of Response & Pliskin flip the technoid switch on "Anima Morta", Cavanaut takes us deep sea diving on "Vanishing Point" and DMC and Bryce go toe to toe for a skanked up swaggering finale. Get blunted.
Review: Big reissue business! Loxy & Resound's utterly despicable dark style shock out 'Hellfire' was originally on Reaper's imprint back in May 2023 and sold out pretty sharpish (like all Future Retro runs do!) Now back by popular demand, the Spirit-esque original is available for normal prices once again. As are the three exceptional remixes... Double O's savage drumfunk shakedown, Tim Reaper's ravier take (with such stunning and widescreen drum mixdowns) and a subversive Photekian take from the enigmatic Basic Rhythm. Grab while you can!
Review: Reissue! Future Retro's 2023 wallop session from Professor Turbo himself Dev/Null get a repress and you'll have to be speedy to cop it. Grounded in more of the breakcore-type circles, 'Deep Love and 'The Cut' are slightly slower than his usual fare, but they sound just as furious and heavy as you'd expect. 'Deep Love' is a big hurricane of tune while 'This Cut' is more techno than it is jungle. Complete with remixes from Sonar's Ghost and Dwarde, this is a veritable rave volcano.
Review: Following his latest album Against A Dark Background, the inimitable Dom & Roland continues to forge his own unique near-30 year path with the launch of a brand new label. Fittingly entitled Individual, it kicks off with two exceptional - not to mention uncompromising - cuts. 'Burn Bright' is your quintessential hardcore jungle d&b with big stabs, massive splashing cymbals and iced out atmospheres stretches over the top. 'Being' meanwhile is a hyper jazz jam with brutalist steppy drums, treacle subs and wild blasts of muted trumpet. Far out.
Review: Comfort Zone is a producer to watch this year and we present to you Exhibit A, this new EP on Future Retro. He previously appeared on this label on Meeting Of The Minds Vol. 5, and also collaborated with the label boss Tim Reaper on music for Banoffee Pies. This solo outing kicks off with 'Tunnel Vision' which brings real synth beauty and deep cosmic feels to a lithe and soulful minimal rhythm stacked with masterful sound designs and crispy snares. 'Snake Stealer' has more plunging bass and contrasting lightness in the wispy melodies, then Reaper adds his own remix of 'Tune Vision' which is much more brash and in your face. Closer 'Tilted' is another super stylish and jazzy number with nimble bass and lively breaks.
Review: Force by name, fierce by nature; Irish jungle craftsman Ricky cooked up this mini album on Tim Reaper's Future Retro back in 2023 and it's getting a new run if you missed it. Kicking off with the iconic tones of Stevie Hyper D (RIP) on 'Sensi', everything is in place for a series vibe marathon as we're taken from fracture to fracture, chop to chop. Highlights include the bone shaking 'Extreme Change', the big rootsy rumbler 'Baked' and the lightnight finale 'Spinning Lucky'. Timeless jungle magic.
Review: A neat selection jungle and drum & bass gems by Fuze, also known as Dave Ivy i one half of Blinded By Science alongside Rob Pearson. It's the first time these DAT-sourced tracks have seen the light of day since their early 90s conception, and the result is a razor-sharp, brilliantly preserved insight into the raw energy of the era. Based in the US but with deep ties to the UK scene, 8205 specialises in archival material, and this one lands fully intact: 'The Alpha Omega' and 'Like The Thunder' are tough, rolling and atmospherically heavy, all punchy breaks and moody subs. 'Substrata Phase' feels slower-burning and eerie, while the Dev/Null remix flips it into something far more breakneck and manic. '6am' and 'So Damn Fresh' capture the looser, rave-adjacent side of early jungle, full of snap and character, and Tim Reaper's closing remix of 'The Alpha Omega' is the final blow i tight edits, deep pads, and that unmistakable future-facing precision. A new release, but one that's been waiting patiently for decades, finally given the care and context it deserves.
Review: Destination Finland: Straight Up Breakbeat roll their sleeves up for this almighty VA from some of the most respected jungle crafters you could possibly shake a dubplate at. Local legend Sofa links with Rupture Queen Mantra for the opening cut 'The Tunnel'. Dark and tense, it sets the scene for some utterly fantastic moments. Long time pals Basic Rhythm & Tim Reaper get silly with 'Target Lock', Blood Trust gets militant with 'RLLR 24' while Jesta finishes with a little blue-faced bust-up 'Liquor Snurf'. Sup sup!!
Review: Heads will know 'As We Enter' as the name of the Breakage tune that set the stage for many more things halftime to come - not to mention a Damian Marley & Nas song released around the same time - so we're more than pleased to learn that one next-gen producer has taken on the name as an alias. However, something in the aura of this release tells us this artist is no debutante; 'Lover To Lover' brings wubbing Reesebound rollage and summery fluting funk together in quick step, with complementary numbers 'So Gone', 'Come Again' and 'Shifting Gears' flaunting a respect for the many different facets of drum & bass, from techstep to early jump-up. This one gets more and more sinister as it progresses; despite the cover, whatever's entered the room feels more elephant than pigeon.
Review: UK producer Kloke has been on prolific form lately, dropping the science on Tim Reaper's Future Retro, Unknown To The Unknown, Fresh 86 and scores more labels besides. Now he's stepping up to Samurai sub label Mindgames in the wake of essential drops from Reaper and Eusebeia with some incredibly accomplished workouts which reach beyond formulaic limitations to offer the kind of bar-raising breaks juggling and considered production that truly stands out in this day and age. 'Eternity' is as compelling in its teasing, quasi-ambient lead in, taking some of the backroom surrealism of Photek's Modus Operandi and charging it with a vivid, underwater sound design flair. That's just one example - every track has its own distinctive intrigue and mind-bending ideas flying out of the speakers in high-definition.
Review: Fresh from his recent foray on Law's Repertoire, Senses makes his debut on ASC and Dan Azimuth's Curvature label with four exceptional deep jungle explorations. All laced with a positive sense of energy and vibrancy, each track has a fresh vibe and character to it. 'String Theory' is the consummate opening gambit with its full strength breakbeat charge, 'Cosmic Telemetry' guides us through the stars with its eyes closed without ever losing its way while 'Papillon' is a woozy-but-cheerful cut you might have found on a label like Subtitles years ago. Finally 'Past Lives' brings us back down to earth with grace and soul. Think PFM and you're on the right astral plain. Time's up!
Review: Man like Skeppy doing the gosh-darned thing! Swinging high from the Rubi rafters, his new label hits the 002 release with heavyweight charm and dark soulful panache. 'Rhubarb' is the dreamy cut of the bunch, easing us in gently with its gentle swirling strings, before 'Capsize' pushes us deep under the water with its robust murky militancy. Finally we have 'Foiled'. A classic minimal Skeppy set-up with a little nod towards the traditional jump-up sound, it's yet another open-and-shut case at the Rubi supreme court today.
Review: Rosebay Music celebrates its first anniversary with its fourth release and does so by delivering a soulful d&b record from label boss Submorphics. Perfect for early autumn sun, this standout release includes two unique tracks. 'Take A Chance' features LA's rising r&b artist Upper Reality and is a bright, upbeat track blending Motown vibes with dub influences that make it an ideal party anthem. On the flipside, 'Hey Baby' combines chopped soul samples with warm Rhodes chords and hazy synth arpeggios. This release marks a big milestone for Rosebay Music and is a great entry into its catalogue.
Submorphics & Lenzman - "Echoes Of November" (4:16)
Submorphics - "The Messenger" (3:55)
Review: Submorphics' new imprint Rosebay Music returns with its second release; this time the producer is joined by North Quarter boss and soulful drum & bass aficionado Lenzman. Fusing the former's soulful approach and the latter's high-octane neurofunk, 'Echoes Of November' harks back agog to six months ago, with snappy but swung drum lines providing the base for fast future arpeggiators, wistful soul vox chopups and bubbling synths, which almost recall the same bright guitar. As warmly merigold in tone as the front cover suggests, B-sider 'The Messenger' is just as neo-noir-at-noon, in part thanks to its deeply uplifting vocal line.
Review: Aus-based label Southern Lights welcomes Michal Wolski for an avant-garde techno outing here that takes you into futuristic sound worlds. 'Stargaze' opens with suspensory synth loops that take you into celestial worlds and 'Moonless Night' then lays down light, airy patterns and motifs with a ritualistic edge. 'Return To The (Dis)Comfort Zone' detailed minimal techno for deep excursions and 'Rainfall' has a fantastically warped bassline. 'Omen' is another atmospheric and cinematic closer that sounds like a trip through an underwater cavern.
Review: Parade's 'Parade 004' bursts with high-energy, classic breakbeat vibes, perfectly crafted for fans of rave anthems. Side-1 kicks off with 'Austria', a high-octane track that fuses uplifting piano riffs with a driving beat, embodying peak 90s rave energy. It's the kind of track that fills a dancefloor, blending nostalgia with fresh, invigorating production. Side-2 dives deeper with 'Heartbeat' and 'Higher', both loaded with feel-good, jungle-tinged piano lines that bring a pure, euphoric lift. These tracks capture the essence of breakbeat's roots, while infusing it with a modern twist that keeps things exciting. Parade manages to be both a celebration of breakbeat's legacy and a re-energised take for today's dance sceneiideal for anyone looking to relive or discover that classic sound.
Review: Tides is the brand-new studio album from Hybrid Minds; a veritable challenging of the status quo and drum & bass orthodoxy with the best-produced, most pristine sonic vanguard yet. Presenting 13 incredible tracks, including the hits 'If Love Could Have Saved You', with venbee and 'Lights', with Charlotte Plank, get ready to sit back and enjoy the sonic journey that Tides takes you on, transcending listeners beyond the genre's more typical environments with their own unique Hybrid Minds take on the drum & bass style. This edition is primed for the tuntable, coming to a shortened 2xLP splatter-vinyl edition.
Review: To Sweet Sensi Records come Krugah with a wicked turn of techstep, ragga jungle and drumfunk. The Brooklyn producer breaks brash ground on this latest 12", squashing mountains of freq-y sound below liminal, scraping drum toppers. Opener 'Tonne Weight' truly does weight a tonne for this very reason; our weighing scales barely make it out alive for the ensuing audio assault that is 'Wickedness Increase', which samples the raggamuffin ragings of an old clash tape of god-knows origin. 'Nuh Sound Curse' brings nitrate echoes to the same ragga sample, layering breaks-matics and three-note dreamoid melodies, while 'Off Di Scene (Dance)' bestows a bubbling experiment, by far the oddest but coolest of the lot.
Review: South Korea junglists representing! Following a series of more house / beatsy focused missives, Sambo up the tempo for this Seoul breakbeat showdown. Local donnies Slowpoe and Kim Han get busy on 'Soju Skanking'. Big reggae licks and a sing-along chorus (even if you can't speak Korean), this is a warm-as-toast weapon ready for the summer. Setting the energy for the EP, the rest of the 12" stretches its legs in all directions; 'Groover Han' takes a deeper twist before more associate breakers join the fray... Noah1luv deconstructs the funky beat on the rock-inspired/early 90s inspired 'Def Leppard', SGSY remixes his jungle band Kom Agens into a super warm lick while DJ Funny lays down the real head-turner of the EP in the form of the heavily emotional 'Hot N Cold' before Yetsuby brings the EP to a dreamy-but-skatty close. Sweet.
Review: Don't worry, Coco Bryce hasn't suddenly gone all happy hardcore - although we bet he'd smash it if he did - other vocals also talk about needing your loving. And this one is a hooter. An emphatic refrain over some loose rattling breaks gentle chords, there's a subtlety and weight to this that hits all the right spots. Imagine DJ Sofa's style and you're in the right raving space. Decibella joins the party with her own take on things which adjusts the euphoria levels a tad and switches up the drums and percussion. Maximum vibes from all concerned. You need this like the sunshine. Everybody's gotta learn (about wicked jungle records) sometimes!
Review: Opus One digs into the vaults with this one. It is a new 12" with a pair of old-school remixes of gold-standard Nookie originals. First up is the Makoto remix of 'Natural Experience' which is a soul-drenched, feel-good and upbeat roller with silky vocals and oodles of sunny charm. On the flip is a Nookie (aka Cloud 9) remix of 'Innerspace' that takes the cut into cosmic territory with slapping and slamming amen breaks, thrilling snares and bleeping synths that work as well as head as they do on heart and heel.
Review: Weaving and writhing through the genres, joining dots you never knew existed, Montreal's Adam Hodgins dons his Sabola alias for this beautiful multi-genre mini album. Touching on experimental areas of his other projects such as Solitary Dancer, Gunnera and N/Y/X, across the six tracks we go from delicate, disarming Boards Of Canada style slo-mo fractal soul ('Southern Digital') to full-on jungle rinse outs (Tim Reaper's remix of 'First Step To Peace') by way of cosmic breaks ('A Hysterical Laugh') And that's just half of the record. Stunning in all directions.
Review: Jim Coles' decision back in 2010 to implement a swerve in his sonic trajectory away from his hip-hop past as 2tall in favour of a more all-encompassing approach that touches on various strands of bass culture as Om Unit has paid off and then some. Subsequent releases on Exit, Autonomic, Civil Music, Metalheadz and his own Cosmic Bridge imprint have all shown Om Unit eminently capable of tempo shifting productions that appeal to fans of Bass music, Drum & Bass and footwork alike. The latter has been explored further while the Dream Continuum collaboration with Machinedrum on Planet Mu and his Philip D. Kick alias where the link between Chicago's juke heritage and UK Jungle was explored. All this and more is included on Threads, a debut Om Unit LP for Civil Music that deftly collates various strands (or threads) of his production career over the past fifteen years for a cohesive 15 track set that veers through of hip hop, dubstep, jungle and even house.
Review: Zinc was a busy busy boy in the 90s. Especially those foundation years. His work with Hype and Bizzy B around this time was legendary but besides his UKG moniker Jammin' years later, less is spoken of his various aliases. Jack Ruby had a cool run of cuts in 94 and 96 including this almighty slab of breakbeat drama 'Ophelia'. Big pads and a breath-taking arrangement. It's your quintessential deep or atmospheric jungle cut that has all the hallmarks of a Good Lookin jam. 'Beyond Reality' (which came out in 95 under his Tyranny alias) follows a similar sweeping sense of triumph but a little jazzier and cooler in its roll-out. Timeless.
Review: Everybody's favourite drum & bass disorienter Aural Imbalance (Simon Huxtable) swats the sonic spirit level out our hands with 'Coded Frequency', dizzying our sense of poise on the dancefloor with four cosmic jungle numbers. You'd think the likes of 'Deep Sea' and 'Echoes In Time' would quell the soul, but to our ears they'd seem to combine stress and relief in equal measure, their crack combo of histamine breaks and zoneout pads seeming to portray the experience of having one's spacesuit tether snapped, thus confronting the aural astronaut with the voidal cosmos: do you thrash against its cold oblivion, knowing you're going to float endlessly, or do you accept the situation? Just when we think we've settled on the latter, Huxtable reintroduces a 'Sense Of Space' on the B1, opening up the breaks texture to a farther distant vanishing point, whilst the closing 'Regolith' hears us rejoice, having landed on civilisational (yet alien) soils with the celebratory rattles and stasises of 'Regolith'.
Review: Silent Force Recordings is back with the third instalment in the SFR Titans series. This one features Solaris in top form and delivering a brace of nicely immersive sounds, starting with 'Nemesis' which channels the classic atmospheric Amen sound and is rather reminiscent of mid-90s Source Direct. It's widescreen jungle at its finest. On the flip, 'Poseidon' takes a darker turn with a more rolling rhythm and hard-edged, steel-plated drums that hark back to early 2000s D-Bridge. These are two different but early devastating cuts, and the fact they come on nice orange vinyl makes it a no brainer.
Review: Get ready for a wholesome spread as Coco Bryce makes his debut on the cult BXL Underground and feeds us our supper this eve. First up a little liquid refreshment in the form of 'Bubble Tea'. Zesty, punchy and reviving; this 'Soca Tek' vibe is laced with a dizzy array percussion all hitting in harmony or counterpoint. Pure natural energy. Need to line your stomach? Chow down on the techno flavoured 'Tiger Bread'. Rich in all your favourite 4x4 vitamins, this one stamps so hard you might just lose your appetite.
Review: Once was a time the term settle down had connotations of easing back, cooling off and winding things down a little and maybe even consider aligning with some sort of normality (whatever that is). Nowadays thanks to Greg Hepworth it simply means - brock the heck out and tear up the dance! Seriously have you heard a bad tune from him since Ulterior Motive split? We haven't. And certainly not here... 'The Dun Dudda' is pure happy chopper with some big jungle flavours in the vocal sample and overall swagger of the cut. 'Wipeout' has more hardcore energy about it. Unrelentless rave chaos. What a wild way to launch a new label and change the meaning of another word. Once was a time when Guidelines had connotations of order and following protocol and maybe even consider aligning with some sort of rules...
Review: Wilkinson is a big name when it comes to the contemporary drum & bass scene. He is someone whose name you will find on all the line-ups of the major clubs and festivals around the world and is no stranger to bringing the noise to Ibiza, either. He has a multi-genre approach that finds him playing effective and eclectic sets that appeal to all manner of crowds. Back in 2013, he dropped his debut solo album Lazers Not Included on Ram - where else - and set all this success in motion. This tenth anniversary edition comes on yellow vinyl with UK number 20 single 'Dirty Love' and many more gems.
Review: Nia Archives has burst through and made a gigantic impact that now stands her at the forefront of the latest jungle era, and pretty much has done since she first made waves in 2020. Her collagist soundscapes have brought an all new sense of energy and rejuvenation to the genre that has in turn brought in plenty of new fans. While some may label her a revivalist, she emphasises that that aspect of the genre has never really gone away. The 24-year-old's debut album has been much anticipated by fans who have fallen in love with her weightless jungle tracks and intense basslines and they aren't let down here as those sounds resonate throughout.
Review: This special anniversary edition of Squarepusher's debut album Feed Me Weird Things is released almost exactly 25 years to the day after the original. Back then it came on Aphex Twin's now defunct Rephlex label and has not been available on streaming platforms ever since. All remastered from the original DATs and with a new, original booklet filled with note and ephemera it is an essential cop for fans old and new. The record broken out of the tight genre restrictions of the time to pair complex rhythms with disarming melodies.
Review: The 20th-anniversary edition of Squarepusher's Ultravisitor showcases Tom Jenkinson's groundbreaking blend of live and studio recordings, remastered for new depths of sound. Spanning frenetic breakbeats, jazz-funk explorations and atmospheric fusion, this album captures the complexity and eclecticism of Jenkinson's work. Tracks like 'Iambic 9 Poetry' deliver sunlit jazz tones, while 'Tommib Help Buss' brings serene electronic bliss. Although Ultravisitor might feel overlong at nearly 80 minutes, its sprawling length doesn't diminish its innovation. The title track encapsulates Squarepusher's signature drum-n-electro-pop, while pieces like 'Circlewave' and 'I Fulcrum' balance virtuosity with thematic exploration. Jenkinson's improvisational drumming and bass solos, such as on 'I Fulcrum', demonstrate his command over both instruments and composition. Jenkinson's eccentricity shines through, making Ultravisitor an essential listen for both long-time fans and newcomers. This edition reaffirms Squarepusher's pioneering role in electronic music, blending technical brilliance with intriguing, if at times chaotic, compositions. It's a record that intrigues and impresses, pushing the boundaries of beat-driven electronic music.
Review: Travis Stewart, better known by his stage name Machine Drum, is an American electronic music producer who has been pushing the boundaries of drum and bass for over two decades now. Stewart's unique approach to rhythm and sound design has earned him a cult following among discerning music enthusiasts. Machine Drum's latest album, 3for82, is a testament to his minimalist aesthetic. Released on the respected Ninja Tune label, the album marks Stewart's return after a four-year hiatus. 3for82 showcases Machine Drum's signature blend of intricate drum patterns, atmospheric textures, and sparse melodies. The album features an eclectic mix of vocal artists, each contributing their own unique flavor to Stewart's sonic tapestry. From the catchy vocals of Tinashe on 'Zoom' to the slick style of rapper Deem Spencer on 'blessed', 3for82 is a testament to Stewart's collaborative spirit. Stewart's attention to detail is clear in every layer of the album, from the subtle shifts in rhythm to the evocative sound design. The result is a hypnotic and immersive experience that energizes the listener to an album full of memorable music. With 3for82, Machine Drum once again proves himself to be a master of his craft.
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