If you’re looking for your new favourite artist, you’ve come to the right place. Focus Five is our monthly installment bringing you the latest producers catching our team’s ear. This month we feature a producer who has worked with a slew of FUXWITHIT favourites in addition to dropping her own stellar originals, a duo who just made their debut, a French producer whose music speaks for itself, a creator bringing enlightenment and reflection in sonic form, and an artist embodying “anti-pop culture.” Get familiar with all five below.

HerShe

With a career that began as a beatboxer at the age of 11 and expanded into DJing and producing over her teenage years, HerShe’s connection with music runs deep. The multi-talented artist has collaborated with FUXWITHIT favorites like sfam, Runnit, Wreckno, TVBOO, and Smoakland while releasing music on Deadbeats, Hypnovizion, and Wakaan. With a style that blends hip-hop influences with brutish bass and creative sound design, what’s not to love? She recently sent me some demos she’s been working on and I can tell you, she’s sitting on some HEAT. While I can’t say too much more about HerShe’s unreleased, what she has put out already does not fail to impress. ‘You Better Take This!’ alongside Seth David is a hypnotic club rattler that you’ll be wheeling back. If you’re in the mood for something dark, addictive, and swaggy, ‘CASH’ is it. The alluring vocals explore the many slang terms for the currency in a way that’s absurdly fresh and catchy. The 140 beat knocks finding that perfect balance between crazy clean and absolutely filthy. Once HerShe starts dropping more of the heat she’s been cooking up, expect to see her blowing up, we certainly do.
-C

hjud

Eleven years into the game and we’re still at the cutting edge of the scene. Maybe more quietly than we used to, but we’re out there, with our ears wide open to catch the sounds and the artists of the future. This month, my pick is peculiar for several reasons. Not only does the producer duo I’ve selected have just one release under their belt, but said track came out less than a week ago. Icing on the cake? It’s the first release on camoufly’s imprint, kawaii bounce. Despite these appetizing premises, I’m aware that giving hjud space after only one release is a complete shot in the dark. Anyway, it wouldn’t be the first time here on Focus Five, and neither will be the last. Hailing from Milan’s thriving underground electronic scene, hjud are looking to carve out a space at the intersection of garage, house, and organic textures. Their debut release, ‘watchTHIS!’, is lethal. It’s one of those bangers that turns the dancefloor into a ring and will TKO you without any notice, without any mercy. The track itself is sparse, as if a fire had burnt away all the unnecessary frills. The fundamentals though, kick, bassline, groove are of a sublime quality, crafted down to the smallest detail. I could listen to an hour-long loop with just the kick and I’d be in heaven. While in ‘watchTHIS!’ I hear several Four Tet’s references (to his remix of ‘Pax’ or ‘Only Human’, for example) there is no denying that Drvmmer and Domm, their respective solo aliases, have brought their own repertoire of skills into play. If these are the premises, I feel it’s a bet already won.
– A

OBSES

Texture Music Supremacy. A simple, yet expressive Spotify biography. While some, especially up-and-coming, artists go overboard with their biographies trying to list out every single DJ or label who has ever supported them, OBSES lets his music speak for itself. With a discography only dating back to late 2023, I was hesitant to feature the French producer after being impressed by his second-ever release, a dual-single titled Catharsis / Partir released via Neosignal. However, as his discography grew in parallel with his accolades, notably showcases on UKF and Vision Radio, I figured it was time to feature OBSES to hopefully help his following blossom. Flexing an electrifying take on drum and bass that is often beautifully layered with emotion either through melody or through vocals, OBSES displays a production prowess that extends well beyond the recency of his catalog. In his latest (and debut) EP Tired of :, the artist further extends the breadth of his creations while staying true to his drum and bass style. Don’t sleep on OBSES.
-SC

yell.

Whisking through the layers of your soul, yell.’s creations can only bring enlightenment and reflection on one’s life, along with their choices. Shattering dimensions of emotion with crisp and poetic melodies. Telling a whole story through each release. Making listeners want more and more. From beautiful collaborations with enjoii, Aetherboy1, and more, to creating his own realms of pure satisfaction, the artist always delivers an above-and-beyond adventure for all to embark on.

His track, ‘no more pain’, describes him in such an incredible light. Set in a dark and hypnotic space, the track does a gorgeous job of grabbing your heartstrings. Pulling them gently with a cold and comforting touch. Making you feel real and human in the best ways possible. Those hard-hitting drums, and elegant synths combined with a haunting vocal work together in pure harmony. Making this a memorable staple from beginning to end.

The most recent track released, ‘in your eyes,’ is a monumental and crazy tune. Together with Bafu, they create a pure work of art. Right from the first couple of notes played, it drags you in immediately in a wonderful and gentle fashion. Setting the stage perfectly. Grabbing the hand of the listener and guiding them through a dark tunnel of dreams and possibilities. It’s a combination of sounds made beyond the universe itself. Individually making this one of their best tracks yet. We just know this year is going to be a wonderful next chapter for the artist. So stay on the lookout!
– JD

Tazu

Tazu is a Chicago-based producer with a self-described taste for “anti-pop culture.” I can’t say exactly what those words mean, but I think digging through his discography gives a good idea. This man’s SoundCloud page is packed with edits of Rihanna, Daft Punk, Charlie XCX, Nicki Minaj, and more, with each track being pumped full of some truly thumping bass/dub frequencies. These tracks are made to make you dance and, oh boy, they work. What I would give to hear some of these edits in a club live. His remix of Charli XCX’s ‘Everything Is Romantic,’ for example, is a bass house anthem. His remix of Ollie Weeks’s ‘More Of Your Love’ will catch you off-guard with its sultry rolling dub bassline and garage-inspired drums. Tazu’s solo tracks aren’t anything to scoff at, either. My favorite so far is his VIP of ‘Pump It,’ a certifiable trap banger packed with synthy grooves from start to finish. I guess you can call me sold on “anti-pop culture” from now on. Tazu fucks.
-BG