As the year comes to an end, we had to drop one final Focus Five to cap things off proper! This month we’ve got some bouncy future trap, Italian drum and bass, and a few exceptional bass producers. Look out for all of the artists below making waves in 2020.
Angelic Root
Angelic Root’s recently untethered M O T I O N EP via Deep, Dark, & Dangerous is a brilliant depiction of the persistent care and effort that the talented Michigan-native has exhausted to meticulously refine his production craft over the course of the past 3 years. Equipped with an expansive personal discography as well as releases via Mean Mug Music, Push Waves, and Aspire Higher, Angelic Root possesses a unique taste for grungy basslines, which coupled with his propensity for innovative sound design, allow for a comprehensive style in each release that can vary from dismal swamps to ominous, spatial soundscapes. Perched atop the excitement surrounding his latest Deep, Dark, & Dangerous debut and the duly-anticipated release of his eclectic treatment to DMVU’s ‘Bloccd,’ Angelic Root is poised for an impressive start to the next decade.
-SL
cvrbi
Having collaborated with FUXWITHIT favourite sebjin and Focus Five alumni ledim, it was only a matter of time before cvrbi commanded a spot of his own in Focus Five. Packing the future beat / future trap sound we’ve been championing practically every month, cvrbi consistently brings the bounce, knock and slaps that FUXWITHIT fans crave. Hailing from Romania, the gifted beat maker first made waves with ‘takemetothetop,’ a certified banger that is ever evolving. Not convinced yet? ‘Sting’ will sell you without a doubt. Linking with AP11, the two craft a masterclass in bounce. Dizzying vocal chops, groovy pads and precise percussion make it a smash that’s assured to get you moving. Oh and it’s not just the recent releases, ‘gravity’ and ‘apollo’ pack a similar level of pristine production.
-C
Hairitage
If you’ve been to a heavy bass show or festival this year, you’ve heard Hairitage’s songs whether you realized it or not. Aaron LeClair, the mastermind behind Hairitage, has been concocting diverse banger after banger, triumphing over a variety of genres and energies, showcasing a talent surely worthy of highlighting. ‘The Movement’ has one of the smoothest trap vibes of any song this year, already garnering support from the likes of Bassnectar, Skrillex, DJ Snake, Moody Good, and more. His collaboration with the ATLiens, ‘Exterminate’, is next level heavy, creating this immensely ear-pleasing and delightfully filthy mix of trap and dubstep. If he has more heat like this up his sleeve, 2020 very well might be a major breakout year for this quickly emerging artist.
-AB
Result
Despite being around for a few years, Result only landed on our radar recently through the epic, mind-melting Manticore EP. After a single listen, we were convinced that the Croatian producer is bound to be the future of bass music. Displaying a keen versatility through dubstep, drum & bass, halftime and more, Result lures you in with unparalleled energy before keeping you captivated with impeccable sound design. Dubstep heaters such as ‘Steel Face’ and the more recent freebie ‘Too Large’ will surely break your neck while the rest of his discography impresses with its innate intricacies and meticulous nature. Result is sure to blow up soon, so keep a close eye on the rising star.
-SC
SD
What a better way to welcome this 2020 than with some Italian D&B vibes? “O my god, another Italian?” you might wonder. Oh yes. I’m not ashamed to admit that I have a special consideration for my countrymen. We are not lucky enough to have a cohesive and supportive scene behind us, so the least we can do is to lay ourselves the very foundations to build one. Msft and Kumo Collective may be the locomotives in our scene right now, but there’s much to be discovered below the surface. SD (So Deep) is the perfect example! With releases on iconc UK labels like Dispatch and Commercial Suicide, SD represents the very healthy Italian Drum&Bass underworld. His recent debut EP on Dispatch is a perfect snapshot that testify to his mastery on plenty of D&B genres. From liquid funk anthems to gritty stompers, SD takes you on a roller-coaster ride with The Funk The Blues Et Cetera. If you’re instead used to FUXWITHIT’s experimental treats and this is too soft for you, then jump directly into ‘Epinephrine,’ released earlier this month on Italian label Delta9 and supported directly from Skankdabass.
-AA
Words by Alessio, Alex, Colin, Sam and Steph.
