Review: Audio Overload who have developed a reputation for going in all guns blazing, having released a string of releases over many years which don't play nice with your feelings. Now, they're launching the second part of their Jacked compilations series and it's top quality, with sounds that span a wide variety of styles, from rolling stuff to dirty naughtiness. 'Nuclear Inspectors' by Falco is definitely in the latter category and it's definitely one of the best on the release, with a cavernous bassline of spinning twirls and a pulsating epicentre that pushes out the rest of the track in a slick fashion. One to cop, this.
Review: Jack it up, jack it in, let us begin... DS2B's Audio Overload deliver their first VA collection and it's an absolute banger-fest. Representing many of the label's exciting new-gen artists, and even more off the label's far-reaching sounds and styles, across the set expect to be KO'd by the sound rampant sounds of Lowlife, anticipate high levels of energy from man like Jedi (especially the reverse mindwarper "Popcorn Playa"), enjoy some feisty VIP action from Midst and plenty more chaos from the likes of Pruf, DEEb and Falco. Jack it on, jacket off - let's get to work.
Review: For the last eight years, Birmingham label Audio Overload have brought you some of the best in underground UK flava and continue on with their mission in fine form on VIP Part 1. This inaugural edition comes from scene stalwart Midst and features, as the name suggests, some digital exclusives made for a proper rinse out. Highlights come in the form of collaborations such as the wonky tech stepper "Too Many Lives" with Padman, the seething neurofunk of "Poltergeist" in collaboration with Jedi, and the jump-up vibe of "Little Boy" featuring Emzylaro.
Review: A collection of artists land on Audio Overload this week for a jump-up release that genuinely stands out from the crowd. There's a lot of competition in this field at the moment and quite a few releases which aren't up to scratch or don't differentiate themselves enough to get noticed properly. They do both here and it makes for a rip-roaring release that'll have you clenching your fists and scrunching your face with regularity. 'Free It VIP' is just astonishingly powerful, its synths aren't anything new but the force that emanates out from them suggests some seriously good production value. 'Make My Day' is the roller of the bunch and, packing with movement, its momentum is just unstoppable. Top release.
Review: Kool FM soldier Pablo G lays down a crisp fusion on Audio Overload. The tubular harmonic low end calls whisper roller while the higher frequency responses scream jump-up. Together it creates a bulbous, timeless, subgenre-less blend that would work well across all forms and flavours. Like remixes? You'll like this as four rising and underground talents put their spin on it. Now goes for the crunch, Spiller dusts off the breaks for a junglised twist, Jedi guns straight for the dancefloor with a grizzly results while Falco brings the minimal heat. All bass bases covered. We're liking 'Like This' a lot.
Review: DJ Terra bringing the terror with an EP bizarrely called 'Keep Calm'. Trust us, there's nothing calming about these bangers whatsoever as he continues to raise the heat we've already experienced on labels such as Nuclear Bass in recent times. Scorching sonics and dangerous dynamics throughout, picks include the animal behaviour and cheeky samples on 'Monkey Business', the dizzying switches on the bone-rattling 'Face Your Fear' and the total chaos and bouncing bass on 'Cheeky Girl'. Terra up the dance!
Review: We're not quite sure how Septon manages to put out so many releases, to be honest, because they're just always on it. Always on a mix of labels, this time it's Audio Overload. The title track is refreshingly futuristic, creative synth work and stepping drum smacks forming archways of diving bass force, a joy to listen to and we'd imagine pretty devastating on the dancefloor. 'Silence' sees Septon on more familiar territory - naughty jump up that makes you want to hit your nan. 'Here Is The Future' is different again, a pummelling, fluid back end laid out beneath a rolling set of drums. Yes mate!
Review: Next up from the Audio Overload gang we jump into this well thought out four track selection from Jedi & Instag8, who deliver a range of flavours with some very well welcomed guests. We begin our journey with Instag8's 'Angels', a sizzling system smashing bounce, combining angelic vocal lines with lethal bass processing and high energy breaks, before Jedi brings a much more jump up-inspired synthetic approach with his remix. Following this, Jedi joins forces with Licks Latore for 'One Girl', an LFO driven ball of bassy madness, topped with euphoric pad lines and well processed rhythmic ideas. To round off, Instag8 sends this one to the chopping block with his mash up remix, layering in numerous lazer-like synthesizer lines to add an extra layer of intensity throughout.
Review: Hyper prolific jump up maestro Midst continues to bliss us out with a wide range of high energy designs. Flexing on Audio Overload once again, 'Sounds Silly' kick start another year of dancefloor debauchery with two originals and two remixes of Composure. 'Sounds Silly' goes in with the big addictive riff action while '3 Holes' takes things in more grunty, shunty direction. Meanwhile on the remixes 'Paper' shows the slightly deeper side of Midst while 'Real Fellas' whips up major drama with its savage swaggering harmonic bass textures. Silly never sounded so good.
Review: Just one kiss is all it takes. Where does it take you? Well that's your responsibility pal, you can keep your private life to yourself, but we can tell you where Midst's kiss takes you... Goosebump town. Those ravey pianos, that vocal and then that sudden plummet into bassline anarchy - you'll be puckering up before the second drop. The van keeps rocking throughout the EP; 'Asylum Party' is Midst on a deeper Kyrist-style tip, all slinky and taut with suspense while 'My Whine' finishes this little love session with a smidgeon of afrobeat flavour in the chainsaw mix. Kiss kiss bang banger.
Review: Audio Overload are back on their usual wagon, one which is powered not by boats but by the sheer force of the music this label releases on a near-weekly basis. We're especially big fans of the title tune, as an eerie set of pads lays the groundwork for its relentlessly pounding percussion and deep, wallowing back end, a bassline that stretches into the distance and far over the horizon. 'Funky Switch' is snapping and sharp, its warmth cut away on the drop and replaced by a wobbling, chopping array of basslines that move through each other with a surprising amount of grace. One of the proper heads.
Review: Call the emergency services! Jedi returns with a 'Blazing Fire' and it's getting out of control! 'Hear Me Talking' is the accelerant he poured liberally over the blaze by way of savage staccato bass hits. The weirdo wobbles of 'Do Some Damage' is the sonic equivalent of whole XXXL box of matches he's thrown into the blend just for the lols while the switchy wriggles and stripped back funk of 'Badguy' is him admitting to his arson but smiling giving zero effs about it. Finally we reach the inferno itself; 'Blazing Fire' hits with fat horn-based bass burps and more heat, brazen audacity and naughtiness than a shamed celeb caught frolicking out of lockdown rules. Heaters for your tweeters.
Review: Jedi is back, once again, onto Audio Overload and this time it's with the Bass Defiler, a four-track exemplification of his production ability, as well as that of the A&R people over at Birmingham's Audio Overload. He's a regular feature both on Juno and on the Audio Overload family and you can see why, his ability to craft hard-hitting jump-up beats reflecting well the new primacy of jump-up within the D&B scene. 'Bass Defiler' is a highlight, it's snapping, steppy drums supporting a rough, gargled bassline that chokes its way down the range. Nice one.
Review: We're not quite sure how Chilly manages to put out so many releases, to be honest, because they're just always on it. Always on a mix of labels, this time it's Audio Overload. The title track is refreshingly futuristic, creative synth work and stepping drum smacks forming archways of diving bass force, a joy to listen to and we'd imagine pretty devastating on the dancefloor. 'You' sees Chilly on more familiar territory - naughty jump up that makes you want to hit your nan. 'Forget Me' is different again, a pummelling, fluid back end laid out beneath a rolling set of drums. Yes mate!
Review: Midst is a prolific jump-up producer and Audio Overload have released that side of his productions before, but this Sleepless Nights EP is something different, something a bit more brooding and stripped back. There are some wicked minimal vibes here, especially on 'Sleepless Nights', which combines a double kick, a diving sub bass and eerie shimmers to foment a tapestry of minimalistic depth, one which gradually gets bigger and bigger. 'Good Body Gyal' combines the two sounds in a really cool way that reminds us of Simula, whilst 'Whine Pon Mi' has a foreboding air to its stabby synthetic construction. Top work.
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