A new anthem from Herobust, High ‘n’ Rich kills it again, a new big room track from Ryos, a disappointing EP from Excision & Dion Timmer, and an absolute joke a tune from Marshmello will all be discussed in the following recap. As always, we’ll be partnering with The QR Network to compile a short recap of notable tracks that we didn’t have time to cover during the previous week. We hope you enjoy our selection and if you have any tracks you’d like to see here, please feel free to post your suggestions in the comments
Herobust – BRUH?!
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/639892671″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
He doesn’t release songs often, but when he does: they’re absolute anthems. I have no doubt in my mind that “BRUH?!” will be remixed and played in many dubstep sets alongside “WTF” and “Vertebreaker” for years to come. Iconic samples aside, the track also features an excellent and effective use of triplets throughout the track, bringing together the best of riddim and swing in one fell swoop. I’ve never been a fan of the dubstep arrangement where thirty-two measures is the norm for a drop as I think it’s way too long. However, I thought the trap outro was incredible and made me hopeful for one of the inevitable remixes to include original raps. All in all, Herobust continues to prove himself as one of the driving forces on the bass scene.
85/100
High ‘n’ Rich – I Closed My Eyes
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/639270873″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
I just have to take a moment to applaud High ‘n’ Rich here for his string of quality of releases starting from “Twerk Team,” an official remix for Playbox, a free release, this track, and an excellent track coming next week. “I Closed My Eyes” redefines what future house can be with a dark yet bubbly atmosphere that is wholly unique. There is so much going on in the drop but it flows together so well. The melodies push your emotions and feel like an essay written in cursive. On the flipside, having twenty-four bars of relentless energy can be a bit much for two drops. I appreciated the changes in the second drop and the technical flexes. The second breakdown is truly inspired with a slight breakbeat vibe paired with exciting synths. High ‘n’ Rich is constantly pushing the envelop and “I Closed My Eyes” is another fantastic track by the talented producer.
86/100
Oolacile & Ace Aura – Stars
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/640195419″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
What a pairing. Both of these producers are making some of the freshest stuff in bass music with their unique way of injecting melody into their drops. The chord choices for the breaks are solid and the second drop is absolutely bonkers. I’m not a fan of the rhythmic choice in the third part of the second drop but there’s a lot of other stuff to love in this track. Bass music fans absolutely have to check this one out.
82/100
Mesto & Jonas Aden – Your Melody
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/640066821″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Jonas Aden has come back stronger than ever before with fresh tracks and this one continues that streak. I love Mesto’s fills in the drop as I think they elevate the track and gives it a strong sense of euphoria. The overall drop reminds me of Magnificence and their signature percussive bass house style and it reinforces the effect they’ve had on the industry. I wasn’t a huge fan of “I Don’t Speak French” because I felt it was a bit too experimental with the melody, but “You Melody” has a much better sense of flow and accessibility to it. The acapella is catchy but gets overly repetitive by the second breakdown. I wish the second drop had more changes to it, but overall it’s a very solid and serviceable track.
80/100
Marshmello – One Thing Right (feat. Kane Brown)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/636658995″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
I had to include this one just as a joke. Holy cow this song is so bad. It’s like Marshmello saw how popular “Old Town Road” was and thought, “I could do that.” He couldn’t. I know I’m not a huge Marshmello fan but I’ve enjoyed tracks like “Sell Out” which shows that his finger is on the pulse of what’s hot in the pure EDM scene. I even liked his mainstream tracks like “Wolves,” “Danger,” and “Everyday” which were all decent pop and rap tracks respectively. This track is pulls together every country cliché and found a singer with the most southern twang to sing over this. The drop is average at best with a weak bassline. Such an obvious cash grab. If I had to say one good thing about it: I like how he panned the vocals – it makes them feel very full.
17/100
Jewelz & Sparks – Gucci Moves
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/625813131″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
It’s definitely a style of drop we’ve heard before – heavily reliant on the kick and a bass note. It’s very effective and the call and response with the percussion works well. The breakdown is very atmospheric, light-hearted with its club vibe and catchy vocal. As always, the production from Jewelz & Sparks is very clean and pleasant on the ears. Despite its derivative aspects, namely “Takeoff” from Matisse & Sadko which had the same call and response structure and elements, this track is just inherently solid.
78/100
KDrew & DEELYLE – Prism
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/640066488″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
One of the best and most difficult thing a song can do is make you feel empowered and that’s exactly what KDrew and DEELYLE accomplished. DEELYLE’s soft, emotional, yet strong vocal performance blends into KDrew’s melodic drop. The melody itself isn’t unfamiliar but it’s one that just gets me every time. There’s just something about those four notes that lend themselves to a slew of effective melodies. I wish the second drop had done something even more euphoric instead of reusing the first one, but I’ll still be enjoying this song for weeks to come.
83/100
Excision & Dion Timmer – Time Stood Still
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/640183425″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
The new Excision and Dion Timmer EP is out and I’ve got to say I that it pales in comparison to their past collaborations. Especially given Dion Timmer’s creativity in songs like “Internet Boy” with Micah Martin which modernized the classic Deadmau5 electro sound. “Neon Phantom” played with some unusual sounds in the drop while adhering to riddim norms. The whole new EP doesn’t add anything fresh to an oversaturated genre. It’s a shame that a torch bearer like Excision can’t come up with anything new take the genre in an exciting direction. “Time Stood Still” was the best track from the EP in my opinion, but even that borrowed from Fox Stevenson’s melodic synth. At least “Time Stood Still” features genuine breaks which can be hard to come by on the harder side of bass music.
68/100
Ryos – Crazy
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/614289369″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Whenever I covered Ryos’ VIP of “Identity,” I said I hoped to see more of that fresh style of big room and here we are with just that. It has a house bassline with a lovely synth over it featuring some incredible ornaments. I was sad to see that there wasn’t a full festival breakdown included here like the VIP, but the drops and overall vibe were very enjoyable. I’m excited to hear more from Ryos in the future and hope he evolves this sound moving forward.
83/100
We hope you enjoyed our recap of selected songs from last week. If there is a song that you felt should have been on here, be sure to leave it in the comments below and we’ll do our best to give our take on it. Certain songs were not included because they will be covered in more detail in the following days so make sure you’re following our social media pages to see all of our latest posts!
GLDN: A Scammer on Spinnin’ Records!
Porth Nole & Kaylo – Black Hole
This recap was provided by The QR Network which is a site for interviews with producers and DJs. Check out their interviews with Thomas Nan, Curtis Richa, Parker, and DJ Brooklyn.
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment