As June reaches its end, it’s time for our monthly installment of Focus Five. As always we’ve pulled together five of our under-the-radar favorites. This month we’ve got vibey trap, crazy jazz-infused electronica, and a couple of serious heavy hitters in the bass scene. Whether you’re looking to get lost in reflection, enjoy some video-game inspired sounds or have your brain melted by sound design, you’re sure to find something in here that’ll scratch your itch. Check out the list below and let us know your favourites.
capshun
The first few notes of ‘Here’ will sweep you away to a stunning exotic locale. Its warm sunshine and cool breezes set the scene with mountainous coastlines rich with reflection. It’s the feeling of losing someone special while finding yourself in the process. Tying in an undertone of melancholy with an overtone of triumph. This is the beauty that capshun creates. His future beat tunes pull in elements of nature and pair them with rich bass and knocking percussion. Inspirations from Mr. Carmack and Sam Gellaitry are sprinkled throughout while remaining powerfully original. From ‘Here’ to ‘Breathe,’ ‘Lotus’ to ‘Guidance,’ he hasn’t put anything out short of incredible in months, and he’s only getting better.
–C
Dropwizz
Keen FUXWITHIT fans will remember our coverage of this Toronto talent’s track with Jeff Molner, ‘Flux‘ last May. More than a dozen tracks and a year later, Dropwizz is still going strong. His work ethic is unparalleled, often dropping multiple tracks a month. Perhaps best known for his burgeoning batch of bassy bootlegs (ranging from the likes of Drake and Ed Sheeran to RL Grime and Zelda), he’s no neophyte when it comes to originals. Whether working with festival- or future-trap, DNB or even house (under his Kavi alias), Dropwizz never disappoints. Most recently we’ve seen him tackle the 7 Deadly Sins releasing Lust, Greed, Wrath, Envy and Pride. While it’s nearly impossible to encapsulate Dropwizz’s diverse delivery in one tune, his mashup/mix of Nicky Romero’s ‘Novell’ with Desiigner’s ‘Panda’ is your best bet.
–OJ
FLOOR BABA
My introduction to Detroit’s Jesse Martin aka FLOOR BABA came back in late 2016 with ‘EVERLASTING,’ from his sophomore album Neon Death. His music is a marvel, blending video game, club and jazz influences in stupefying fashion. Both the number of samples and #hashtags in and on his tracks will leave your head spinning. Capable of cheeky chiptune cuts and furiously funky floor fillers, there’s little this multi-talented master-crafter can’t accomplish. His latest release Baba Bebop brings both together in a tight seven track story. However arguably his greatest work comes in the form of his label, DESKPOP. The “fun and experimental” outlet has played host to dozens of artists including Chuck Sutton, Louis La Roche, Maxo, Omniboi and more. If you like your ear-worms overflowing with energy and a digital twist, look no further than FLOOR BABA.
–OJ
LITLBIRD
Don’t let his cute name fool you, LITLBIRD‘s music is anything but. The best word I could find to describe it is abusive. An experimental bass sound that’s sure to give your brain and speakers a beating. We’ve seen producers who’s sound design is on steroids, but LITLBIRDS is on DMT. His tracks are unlocking new dimensions and realms of darkness. ‘Living & Dying’ and ‘Serpent & Psychosis’ are fitting names for a sampling of what LITLBIRD has to offer. Oh and don’t miss ‘Neon Error’ if you’re curious as to what the future war between our robots overloads will sound like.
–C
Rome in Silver
There’s a few producers that I feel you shouldn’t remix. Geniuses like Mr. Carmack, Cashmere Cat, Lido and TroyBoi possess a unique mastery that can seldom be recreated or improved upon. So when I saw a ‘Back To Wall’ remix grace my SoundCloud from an unknown artist named Rome in Silver, my first reaction was, “why? What could he possibly add to the track?” After seeing it reposted from a few artists I trusted, my curiosity got the better of me and I clicked play. My doubt quickly turned to dismay as Rome in Silver proceeded to bring the TroyBoi master work to a new realm with a heavy flip rich in imagination. Proving his remix chops once more is a flip of Vince Staples’ ‘Señorita’ that merges Vince’s raw bars with rolling bass lines, hazy interludes and a murderous, blood curdling climax. From the housey ‘Back Again’ to the jazz-meets-experimental bass on ‘Desire,’ Rome in Silver can explore any sound and make it his own.
–C
Stream our top picks from this month’s Focus Five below.
Words by Colin & Oggie James.
