Zeds Dead are back and bringing the heat for 2020. We may be on the brink of our earth dying and existential dread is at an all-time high, but producers Dylan Mamid and Zachary Rapp-Rovan are here to keep us head banging until the very end. Enlisting label mates Subtronics, Champagne Drip and Holly and industry heavyweights such as Jauz, Ganja White Night, and Slushii, Zeds Dead showcase why they’re the ultimate curators when it comes to getting down and dirty. However, it’s not all dubstep and games out here folks. We get a glimmer of that sweet drum and bass on ‘Sound of the Underground’ and a smattering of melodic bass on ‘Stars Tonight’ to keep people on their toes.
While all the songs on this collaboration are great in their own right, there are a few that stand out above the rest and demand multiple listens.
Bumpy Teeth
Those who have been in the electronic music scene for a while know Subtronics’ name and his impressive producing skills. With his uncanny ability to create catchy drops that have young teens going crazy on Tik Tok, he’s got the spotlight on him to see what he does next. In this collaborative banger ‘Bumpy Teeth,’ Subtronics and Zeds Dead get back to the good shit that we all know and love: fun ad libs and melodic switches that keep us hooked. Sometimes when it comes to collaborations, Subtronics style is only allowed to shine through every once and awhile, but the moment this song starts, you know it’s Subtronics unique flare. It’s trippy and zooms in and out, it has the uncanny ability to create a visual journey for the listeners just with the music. ‘Bumpy Teeth’ is heavy throughout and dripping with bass. The low ends and the high hats blend together perfectly and can truly only be appreciated blasting at full volume in your car or headphones. His collaboration solidifies his place on the Deadbeats roster as one of the greats. Put this song on at the end of a party and it’s about to be a bumpy ride.
Sound of the Underground
On first listen of the album, this song stuck out to me the most. I know there has been a recent appreciation for Drum and Bass in the electronic world (finally!) but to hear it on a Deadbeats album was pleasantly surprising. The track, which is aptly titled ‘Sound of the Underground,’ was the lead single for the album and was produced with none other than DnB legend, Urbandawn. The unique style of Urbandawn when it comes to Drum and Bass exemplifies his Brazilian roots and is known to switch up styles halfway through. For these very reasons, it’s no surprise that this song caught my attention.
‘Sound Of The Underground’ starts out gloomy and spooky before breaking into the classic DnB breakbeat that we’ve all come to love, but it’s when the song hits the halfway mark that it truly blooms. In ‘Sound of the Underground’ Urbandawn throws all genres to the wind and switches styles, allowing for Zeds Dead to fold in bass and interweaving a myriad of different sounds that blend together in the most perfectly disjointed way. ‘Sound of the Underground’ is an unadulterated showcase of the musicality that Zeds Dead and Urbandawn possess and one of my favorites.
Just Wanna
If you aren’t sure you like electronic music or if you are hesitant about trying big scary Dubstep, then this song is just for you. Loge21 are the kings at blending house with hip-hop breakdowns, inviting people in that are on the fence about house music (which, come on guys, it’s 2020, get with the program). They entice outsiders to a genre that they never even thought about it. I guarantee if you put on a house song, everyone will end up bopping their head at some point. With ‘Just Wanna,’ Loge21 and Zeds Dead create the perfect gateway song. It’s a little bit more on the bass side than Loge21 usual put out, but it still has that house base line that we know and love. It also helps that Polina’s vocals sit so effortlessly breathy on top of the production, giving you those 1990’s underground Chicago rave vibes. It’s simple, but fun and doesn’t command the listener to think too much. It’s here to make you groove on a Friday night or power walk to work on Monday morning, nursing a major hangover, and sometimes that’s all you can ask for from a song.
Stream We Are Deadbeats Vol. 4 in full below.
Words by Elise Smith.
