Focus Five: Volume 4

With the month of May reaching its end that means it’s time for another installment of Focus Five, our monthly round-up of our favourite finds. This month we’ve got heavy bass producers bd hbt & Milano, summer feels and mystique from ilo ilo, club goodness from Jaymie Silk and a buffet of electronic sounds from Sofasound. Give it a read below and be sure to let us know your favorites.

bd hbt

Milan & Sam come together to form LA based duo bd hbt. They first graced our ears with their standout banger ‘og’ from Sounds From Below vol. 2. The track finds that perfect sweet spot between hard-hitting trap and experimental bass. This rings true for the bulk of their work; they have knack for keeping it weird, but not so weird that it’s off putting. In the span of just a few months they’ve consistently wow’d us with releases like ‘No Refill,’ ‘Don’t Spill’ and a killer flip of Smokepurpp & Mura Beatz ‘123’. Don’t surprised if you see bd hbt flooding your SoundCloud stream from this day forth.
–C

ilo ilo

It’s not often that artists can conjure up an air of genuine mystique. ZHU did it to perfection but few acts have been able to follow in his footsteps. That is until now. ilo ilo has used the veil of mystery and anticipation to create something special. Their debut release ‘wait’ premiered on This Song Is Sick after they mailed them a usb with a letter. Since then it’s been gaining momentum online and even landed in Louis The Child’s latest Playground Radio episode. They’re beautifully styled Instagram provides a number of quick and enticing visuals with promising background tracks which may be forthcoming releases. While little is known about ilo ilo, one thing is for certain, ‘wait’ is phenomenal. The track feels like a mix of ZHU and Mura Masa, fusing steel drums and summery feels with gorgeous and addictive vocals. With the right support ‘wait’ could easily become one of the biggest tracks of the summer. Given the quality of their debut, the thought put into their roll-out and the teases we’ve heard on Instagram, we’re expecting big things from ilo ilo. Do. Not. Sleep.
–C

Milano

A Lost Dog from Lake Tahoe, Milano is different type of beast. When I first heard ‘Serpents’ I instantly commented, “this is completely fucked. nicely done.” A statement I stand by 5 months later. The sound design on ‘Serpents’ is a great introduction to what Milano has to offer. It’s quite unlike anything else you’ve experienced. It’s part cartoon acid trip, part dungeon exploration. It’s dark, disturbing and crazy fun all at once. Another focal point that’s sure to convert you to fandom is ‘I Love You.’ Its intro provides a glorious and serene soundscape that drifts into a heart and neck-breaking barrage of bass. Milano is a mad scientist and we can’t wait to see what he concocts next.
–C

Jaymie Silk

We’ve always been proponents of Jersey Club here at FUXWITHIT, both for its club qualities and undeniable energy, and Montreal’s Jaymie Silk brings both in droves. While starting in the house sphere, his productions have always showcased a plenitude of potent percussion. Of course Jersey Club is best known for its bouncy bootlegs, and Jaymie has more than his share of stunning successes: see his Sinjin Hawke ‘Don’t Lose Yourself To This,’ and Blocboy JB ‘Look Alive’ edits. But his skills also include authoring awesome originals. With two EPs already this year, he’s been able to exhibit his experience in the ballroom and vogue scenes, crafting truly unique club tracks. His latest, Savage, is just that, a three piece afro-baile banger. If you’re in the market for floor filling club cuts that jump out the speakers, look no further than the sensational Silk.
–OJ

Sofasound

My first encounter with Floridian feels fabricator Sofasound came when he dropped a dizzying reconstruction of Justin Timberlake in ‘Don’t Think About It.’ And believe it or not, his most recent release ‘Twilight On The Hill’ also takes on JT, yet the two tracks are sheer standalone splendor. That said, Sofasound is no one trick pony. He’s as adept at working with vocalists as he is at chopping them. But for my money his brilliance is best seen in his incredible and unmistakable music ability. This is no flash in the pan talent. He clearly knows what he’s doing and does it extremely well. Whether it’s more chill R&B based future bass or more fiery funk, Sofasound’s productions always burst at the seams. Take for example the awe-inspiring ‘Very Wow’ which showcases a soft touch, sensational sound design and masterful musicianship. Just press play and you cannot miss.
–OJ