Picks Of The Week (20.03.21

Disclaimer: None of these are Hidden Gems per my usual definition (< 1000 monthly listeners on Spotify), but all of the releases and artists still deserve way more attention in my opinion. I will mention other releases that fit my definition with the 💎 marker as always though.

Warning, it's a very techy week.

1. Jabba - Axis EP [ProgRAM]

Recommended if you like: Annix, Focusfire, Mofes

Good news, I found another entry for my underrated german producers list: Jabba!

Coming straight from Heilbronn in southern Germany, the relatively new producer has been bringing the southern heat to the dancefloor since around 2015. Not only did he quickly establish himself as a DJ talent all around the local area, he also started producing soon after. Following his first few releases on smaller labels here and there, he got so fed up with the whole process that he founded his own label Subminded Records together with his equally annoyed mates BNR and Julez in January 2017. Over the years Subminded managed to attract the talents of Dub FX, Noizesplitter and Skruff among many others, but eventually Jabba decided to shoot for the bigger labels. In May 2020 he released his first EP on RAM's sister label ProgRAM, the Radius EP, followed by an entry on the RAM Rave compilation series and a feature on Division's EP on Delta 9 Recordings. Now it is time for Jabba to return ProgRAM once more with this new Axis EP!

The EP starts off with the massive title track Axis. While it is not completely different to his previous works, you can still hear the change in sound he was going for here. By combining snappy as hell drums with several massive distorted basslines coming in from left right and centre and a chopped-up vocal that is somehow super catchy, he manages to put his own unique spin on the newschool techy jump up style that has been making the rounds a lot lately. Next up we've got Critical Circuit, which you might have heard on VISION Radio! The drums are still seriously snappy, but Jabba has cranked up the energy to 11. Instead of multiple basslines flying through your ears, you've got one massive one that sounds like it was cut in a thousand pieces and rhythmically stitched together again, creating a strangely addictive glitchy vibe. Even more addictive is the track's second drop, in which Jabba switches back and forth between the normal full throttle BRR and half-time rhythm. Might sound weird at first, but works really well.

Time for some Kontrast. Unlike the first two straight-up bangers, this third tune takes us into a different direction. The drums sound a lot more metallic, while still being very stripped-back, the glitchy main melody provides a very cold atmosphere, the basslines are still massive, but are only coming through very rarely. Very interesting tune and probably my favourite of the EP! Last but not least, we've got Focus, which is probably the largest tune of the release. Instead of the techy jump up sound, Jabba goes for a more rave-oriented dancefloor destroyer vibe. Complete with the gun sounds, rave pewpew FX's and the patented Heyheyhey! This one will probably absolutely slap on a system.

To say it with Dave Jenkins' words: Ich liebe!

Other deep/techy things this week:

K Motionz - One Night Only
Black Barrel - Hands Up
Maykors - Losing EP 💎(was exclusive before, but is now on Spotify!)
Various Artists - Era, Vol. 1 [DLT9] (used to be exclusive too)
Fearful - Critical Mass 💎
Black Sun Empire - Driving Insane (EastColors Remix)

I don't know where else to put dancefloor recommendations, so I'll just put it here:

Used - I'm Yours EP (<33)
Maduk - Poison / Bringing Me Down
T & Sugah, Quoone - Leaving
Flowidus, Matisse - Fire
Phase Control - Space Explorers 💎
Regolith Surface - Apteryx // Sixes 💎
Subshock & Evangelos - Runaway
Giganti - Legs

2. Decades, Notequal, Yaano, Slwdwn - The Valua EP [SINFUL MAZE]

Recommended if you like: IMANU, Vowel, Synergy

I know, I know, I'm quite late on this one. That doesn't mean it's not worth talking about though!

I've already talked about SINFUL MAZE before, so I will keep the focus on the EP and the artists involved. If you don't remember, here's a short recap: Czech label, founded in 2019, consistently one of the best sources of techy neurofunk (and more!) and hugely underrated.

The small compilation starts off with the completely ridiculous Burning Up. Produced by Notequal, the slovakian trio consisting of Absu, proxer and LONGMAN that was founded in 2019 and in my opinion certainly one of the best newcomers, and Decades, the Belarus-based duo consisting of Malk and Psychical Research founded last year after a year-long hiatus that puts out great tune after great tune at the moment. As a huge fan of both collectives, I've had high expectations. Well, they were easily exceeded. Not only do the vocal and the chopped up melody work together perfectly, I also absolutely love the way the drums switch back and forth between the more simple rhythm with additional distorted 16th notes on top and a straight techy roller flow during the drop. And then they switch that up countless times in the second drop too! My favourite of the EP, deserves all the attention it can get.

Next up is Here With Me, produced by Yaano and Slwdwn. Say what, Ya don't 'no Yaano? He's a very fresh face from Jersey, the UK one, that you should definitely check out more! He's only been active since around April 2020, as far as I know, but the few things he has released so far are very good so I urge you to keep an eye on him. Wait, slow down, you don't know Slwdwn either? Alright, alright. Slwdwn is another quite fresh face in the scene. The slovakian producer has been releasing things since around 2019 and has earned himself releases on Invasion Recordings, Watchout Music and Impact Music. A well-earned resume! Anyway, what about the tune? Compared to the first track, this one is way more laid-back and vibey, which was a bit needed to be honest. The production is as techy as ever, with vocal chops and interesting drums going at full speed, but doesn't hit you over the head with it. A vibe I fell in love with the more I listened.

The third track on the EP is Nimbus, a solo track by Yaano! I don't need to introduce him again, do I? On this second track by the british producer he takes us a bit further into some quite deep depths. No vocal, just deep and dark vibes. Rolls along very nicely and gives you a bit space to breathe. Lastly, we've got Saturn by Decades which finishes the EP off with one last techy roller. This is one of those tunes that go through so many variations it's hard to mention them all. Its call-and-response between the heavily distorted huge bass and the atmospheric melody, while the techy drums change into ludicrous speed is probably my favourite variation, but all of them worky really well to create an deep and heavy atmosphere.

If you like your DnB techy, you don't want to miss this one!

Other neurofunk (we already had techy so that is the next closes subgenre) things that happened this week:

Gydra - Step Forward
Zombie Cats, Sinister Souls - X-Step / Hard Spin
Drumsik, XER47 - Sub Signal 💎
Phace, Kemal - MODE 101
D_iolax, Tesla Coil - IF U COULD 💎
Xerowan - Foot Sack 💎
Furious Freaks - Systems EP 💎

3. Wiguez - RESILIENCIA [WIGUEZLAB]

Recommended if you like: Tom Finster, Circumference, Porter Robinson

It is my absolute pleasure to share this masterpiece of an EP with all of you today.

RESILIENCIA, spanish for resilience (duh), is the newest EP of spanish producer Wiguez. The Seville-based producer started his journey into the electronic music scene in 2016. Since then he has explored a lot of different genres, including Trap, Dubstep and, of course, Drum and Bass, on labels like Kinphonic or Hyprmode.

As probably a lot of you, he has struggled with depression and similar problems during the last year or so. During this time, he simply couldn't muster the strength to work on new music, the depression had siphoned every last ounce of his energy. After managing to work through this dark period of his life, he started working on this EP. With this body of work he wants to reflect his journey to overcome depression and all the emotions associated with that. Anxiety, existential dread of artists, and much more.

The EP starts off with the title track, Resiliencia. A spanish voice snippet talks about the fears and anxieties mentioned above, while you can hear rain pour down outside. A stunning orchestral arrangement begins to play and builds up an incredible atmosphere that gives me chills every single time. The orchestra pauses for a moment to give way for the same voice to come back in and talk a bit more, after which the track transitions into a techy, yet absolutely beautiful drop. There is not one wasted second, every single part of the track transports emotions to the listener.

Look Back. We hear kids playing outside, as a melody that is reminiscent of a music box or a children's toy slowly builds itself up. The children's sounds fade out, while a processed piano slowly leads us into the drop. The fast techy drums contrast with the melancholic piano melody, while a flamenco guitar comes in every now and then to perfectly round off the nostalgic atmosphere. We hear another person talking in spanish. The kid's chatter returns, but seems to transform into an adult crowd talking, while we hear a clock ticking in the background. The rest of the second half mirrors the first half, but adds various little elements that increase the dramatic atmosphere even further. The melancholic piano is replaced by a warm, in a way even hopeful, rising string melody. We end on another short interlude by the spanish-speaking person.

Last track, Azahar. The hopeful emotion is carried on and expanded on even further in this one. A beautiful asian-sounding instrument provides the main melody, while an amazingly uplifting wall of synths soothes the listener. At times it even feels like a choir singing, it sounds that natural. The synth choir is joined by an actual human vocal while we build up the anticipation to the second drop. Then it hits you. The synth choir is concentrated into humongous stabs, while the drums are reduced to a bare minimum and the drum and bass rhythm is removed. Every single one of these massive synth emotionally hits you right in the chest in a kind of freeing way. You are at the top of a hill, you made it.

Art.

Other beautiful/liquid things that happened this week:

Circumference - Ambivalence EP (<333)
Cod3x - One Step Away
Telomic, Emba, Leah Rye - Silver Lining
Submorphics, Satl, VEDA BLACK - Let It Shine
LSB, DRS - High As She (Break Remix)
Various Artists - Nucleus EP [Differential Recordings]
Various Artists - H25PITAL [Hospital Records]
Maximono, SAÍGO - Tremblin (Satl Remix)
Winslow - Mad Flavours
Sweetpea - Undercover EP
Low:r - Oooga