Kick off the month with five artists you need to know. This month’s installment of Focus Five features a UK producer blending soul and knock, a diverse Berlin-based creator, an artist whose debut has been 7 years in the making, a brilliant Swedish artist, and a producer bringing the summer house grooves. Get familiar with all 5 below.
BSEARL
Times really are changing. While my Focus Five selections generally come from SoundCloud digging or stand-out gems from DJ mixes, this month’s selection landed on my radar from a random Instagram reel. UK-based producer BSEARL caught my eye while I was scrolling through reels with a video rocking a hard hat, ear protection, and a reflective vest with a text overlay that read, “people I work with on site have no idea I make music like this >>>” The sound of a hauntingly soulful vocal over emotive chords gave way to a quick drum roll and a stunning drop with immersive low end and groove-filled percussion. The track was so impressive that it warranted an instant dive into BSEARL’s SoundCloud. The song in question is ‘SOLD MY SOUL’ and it’s really something special. It’s crazy catchy without being the slightest bit corny. It’s dark, but it’s also beautiful. It’s chill, but it hits. It’s the perfect contrast, counterbalancing contradictions with an airy sense of sophistication. Adding to his recent success, ‘NO MORE PAIN’ is an emotional bassline anthem that once again leverages an addictive vocal and pairs it with driving basslines for a club bop. BSEARL is two for two with recent releases, and his earlier catalog is no joke. 2025 is going to be his breakout year, and it’s already underway.
-C
COIDO
If a producer releases on YUKU, I already know that checking their whole discography is going to be time well spent. This theory proved right once again with COIDO, who recently published a full EP, titled Final Reason, on the Prague-based imprint. This release, alongside a shoutout from a tastemaker such msft, lured me into his realm of bass-weight devastation. Final Reason is a high-voltage package with four tracks that delivers a lethal display of ballistic percussions and rhytmics. Gasoline EP (released November 2024) explores the witching power of slower pacings instead, offering a well-calibrated communion of technical earcandies and club functionality. In Bad Snack EP (released October 2024), probably my favorite release from the Italian producer so far, COIDO spices his muscular kick game with bloghouse, dancehall, and Boyz Noize-techno aromas. Music journalist Shan Reynaldo came up with an iconic description of ‘Sandero’, the EP’s opening track: “Imagine Crookers making something for TraTraTrax—an unruly, horn- and laser-filled tune like ‘Sandero’ just might be the end result.” Traces EP (released May 2024, again on YUKU) goes one deeper. Each tune sounds like the theme song of a bass-music dungeon boss fight. This EP is truly a masterclass in claustrophobic sound design, definitely not for the faint-hearted. If this full immersion has left you sweat-drenched, you’d better level up your game because these were the EPs released by COIDO just in the past year. There’s much, much more to uncover.
-A
Jade Sierra
It’s crazy to think how hard some artists work before ever showcasing their talents to the world. Great art takes time, and Jade Sierra embodies this. On an Instagram post in late 2024, the Dutch artist shared that after 7 years of making music, he was finally releasing his debut EP, and anywhere but here is nothing short of incredible. Overnight successes and one-hit wonders come and go, but for real lovers of music, dedication and hard work is the most important part. Jade Sierra demonstrates this via four incredible tracks that span from electrifying future bass in ‘2hard2move’ to silky smooth drum and bass in ‘do u think about me.’ From catchy ideas to top-tier execution, Jade Sierra’s short yet impressive discography is a must-listen, and the fact that he only has 351 followers at the time of writing is criminal. With additional releases alongside artists such as Malixe and Synergy and surely more to come, Jade Sierra is an undeniable up-and-comer in the bass music scene. Don’t sleep.
-SC
Silou
The amount of versatile qualities within Silou‘s works are simply jaw-dropping. Hailing from Stockholm, the artist has continued to showcase brilliance with every track put out. Containing some extremely rich tones, techniques, and tender melodies. Not to mention his drums will absolutely knock you out of your seats wherever you are! Glitch-infused sound design, colorful percussion combined with stellar arrangements, you’ll never know what’s coming next.
His remix of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Savior’ will twist and turn your molecules in such a poetic and beautiful fashion. Honoring Kendrick’s hard-hitting vocals through his signature style of pure chaotic wonder. Those monstrous 808’s combined with such exquisite melodic patterns really add a whole other layer of beauty within. Easily one of the best remixes of Kendrick to date.
Not to mention his latest remix of QUIET BISON’s ’26fe’ will have you in a pure trance of discovery and balance as it highlights everything this artist is capable of and more. Hearing the inspiration from both QUIET BISON and Flume, he’s managed to create his own style through his own wonderful techniques and skill. Uplifting the original to brand new heights with each second. Making this one of this best works yet. We’re truly excited to see and hear where the artist has planned next! So make sure to stay tuned and keep an eye on him!
-JD
DELACOUR
Summer is almost upon us, which means it’s time to start loading up those playlists with laid-back, sun-soaked beats. Let me suggest beginning with DELACOUR, head of the aptly-named Summer Soul Records in Brooklyn, NY. If dreamy, minimalist beats are up your alley, then you’re in for a treat. DELACOUR’s latest track, ‘Keep Giving You All My Love,’ perfectly encapsulates the mood of sunbathing by a poolside or digging your toes into the sand on the beach. Sometimes hazy house music like this can have the opposite effect, almost nap-inducing, but that’s not the case here. DELACOUR’s Bloom EP, released earlier this year, strikes a masterful balance of that same soothing instrumentation with upbeat composition that keeps your head bouncing the entire time. Personally, I can’t get enough of this sound, especially with warm weather right around the corner. Check out some of my favorite recommendations below!
-BG
Written by Alessio, Braden, Colin, John, and Steph.
