Review: Dubstomp 2 Bass is another of those very consistent and prolific jump-up labels that just generally tends to release some of the naughtiest cuts from that side of the scene around. Midst is on the imprint this time and Bad Juju features murky tones on all four cuts, each of them dripping with the type of energy that's made jump-up so popular at the moment. Our favourite is probably 'Evil', a gargling tune that squelches its way around the range, undercut by a skippy but forceful percussive line. The title track is another highlight, a forceful but creative drum section underpinning a wavey amalgamation of bass force. More good work from these guys.
Review: Hey you! Do you like tuna? Do you like knuckles? Do you like socks? If they answer is 'yes' to any of those questions (and even if it's 'no' to be honest) then you'll love this new EP from rising upcomer Midst. Hot on the heels of his EPs on Dubstomp 2 Bass and Nuclear Bass this year come four tracks of total hybrid heaviness; melodic in some places, grizzly and toxic enough to melt your skin in others, highlights include the mad switches between light and dark on the EP title track and the depth plunge bass drop on "I Can". The woozy swagger on "Limits" needs a jolly good shout out too. Sock it to 'em gang.
Review: Midst has handed a big release to fans of the dirty jump-up sound over on Audio Overload. From the beginning, you can tell 'Shirley' is going to be heavy and as menacing bass strabs build up into preparatory drum skits, your feelings are confirmed. A growling hurry rushes out to meet you; powerful and more than willing to shove you around. 'Toga' is the next offering, a glitchy mash of jump-up, permeated by rattling arrays of bassy synths and an ever-present sense of movement. Nice and solid, this release is a statement of intent from Midst.
Review: Audio Overload are back doing what they do best, and if you think some jump-up naughtiness is exactly what you need as the lockdowns begin to ease off. This time it's a four-tracker courtesy of Midst and the album art is a prelude to just how dark and eerie this one gets, with sonic gore very much the order of the day. The title track is definitely the highlight because it's just so solid, as rolling percussive lines crash underneath a stabbing oscillation of basses and tangled low frequencies. It will make you scared of clowns, that's for sure, and the other three tunes all deliver just as tightly. Big ups.
Review: Midst and Jedi is somewhat of a fiery combination, the pair of them together packing a sound that, more often than not, is downright dirty. No Man is a vindication of that and the selection throughout this release is so on-point and so in-touch with current styles of D&B it's a little absurd, you can almost picture the videos on Facebook as each of these drop. 'Maybe' is the unique one of the bunch, a steppy cut that chops and changes the whole way through; the Midst remix of 'Dracula' is our favourite, its wobbling sub-bass riff guides you down into a steam-train bassline that sounds a lot like a Serum cut or similar. The other cuts are also all definitely worth your time.
