2018 was a colossal year for drum & bass. We witnessed a year full of quality releases with some groundbreaking music from the likes of Ivy Lab, Halogenix, LSB, Skeptical and many more. Fast forward February 2019 and we have already seen a plethora of strong releases week after week.
While it was a mammoth task to be selective considering the amount of smashing releases, we have come across in only the first 45 days of the new year, we have somehow managed to pick our top 5 tunes from January 2019.
Dave Owen & Jaybee – Hyperflux
Dave Owen and Jaybee are one of stateside’s most sought after Junglists. While individually, they have been releasing their music on some of the biggest drum & bass labels out there, they are on a whole new level when they are making music together. “Hyperflux” begins with an atmospheric intro with some punchy drum work, the track takes you on journey before you are hit by the monstrous drop. The tune continues to take on a similar journey throughout, exemplifying Dave Owen’s and Jaybee’s individual qualities colliding seamlessly.
Mystic State – Sling Blade
Context Audio have championed the art delivering deep and dark releases. For their milestone release on the label, they welcomed Mystic State for their second outing on the label. “Sling Blade”, which is a part of the “Circles” EP, is a dark weaponised stepper of the highest order.
Alix Perez & Monty – Good To Me
Since the inception of 1985 Music, Alix Perez hasn’t put a foot wrong with the releases on his label. While delivering boundary pushing music As Alix Perez and Shades, the Belgium born artist has also nurtured new talent on his label and Monty is the prime example of how the Dutch artist has consolidated his name as a top producer.
Collaborating with the Dutch phenomenon again, “Good To Me” like we would expect from a 1985 Music release, is a sleek low end drum & bass missile aimed directly at the dancefloor.
Flava D – Return To Me
Flava D’s always made her penchant for Drum & bass very evident. So much that she went on to make a new tune right after seeing Calibre play for her XOYO residency. “Return To Me” is part of Hospital Records’ yearly Sick Music compilation. This year Hospital Records featured Flava D for her first flex into the drum & bass realms and the queen of thumping basslines like we would expect from a quality producer like Flava D, delivered a gorgeous Liquid roller filled with her signature bass heavy tones.
Cyantific - Cyborg VIP (ft. BMotion)
If there is one producer who has defined the art of making iconic releases, it is Cyantific. In October 2017 Cyantific along with his label mate BMotion, delivered “Cyborg” and the tune destroyed dancefloors everywhere. Now, one year later, Cyantific has given the iconic track the VIP treatment and if Viper's history of VIPs are a testament to anything, “Cyborg VIP” is set to be making rounds on the international DJ circuit for months to come.