If you’re looking for new artists, we’ve got you. Focus Five Volume 91 is a globetrotting edition that sees us exploring artists from Germany to Denver, and Portugal to Brazil. The sounds range from complex and genre-blurring to beautiful bass, emotive wave, moving dubstep, and beyond. Get lost below.
ARTISOMA
While Berlin is in the global spotlight thanks to Skrillex’s Contra, we’re taking you to another part of Germany, deep in the south, specifically to Ravensburg. This is the home of ARTISOMA, a self-described “soundscapes creator” and, above all, the creator of one of my favorite EPs within the bass music spectrum this year. Mobilya (released via YUKU) shows ARTISOMA’s ability to move fluidly between dubstep-rooted styles, while filtering these sounds through a very personal lens. Just as a beam of light enters a prism only to emerge refracted, so too do influences from grime, garage, breakbeat, footwork, and juke enter the German producer’s DAW, only to emerge in completely different forms. There are no rules. There is no script. Nothing predictable in any of ARTISOME’s tracks. Hers is music to be listened to with curiosity, an open mind, and, why not, an Italian G&T in your hand.
– AA
Fake Two Piece
One of Portugal’s finest; a producer duo that has got it all. Fake Two Piece has, without a doubt, one of the freshest sounds and production styles of the moment, that spans so many genres and BPM’s. If you’re a regular reader of Focus 5, you’ll know that this isn’t the first time we’ve spoken about Fake Two Piece – as they’ve collaborated with a previous artist we’ve highlighted, ‘Lokal’, so it’s only right that we shine the spotlight on this Portuguese outfit too. To have a unique sound across every track you make is hard, but these two can bring their individual sound to anything they want. You have tracks like ‘Break A Sweat’ which, despite its upbeat garage and breaks feel, still carries the eerie dark tones that Fake Two Piece are so good at. Their use of syncopated percussion and FM-sounding bass lines are not necessarily an unknown production use across many other great artists, but these two seem to bring something different in their own magical way. Their recent flip of Little Simz’ track ‘Torch’ is unreal. The glitchy production on the drop is quite frankly evil & is a vastly different track to ‘Break A Sweat’ – yet it still could only be these two on the production. That’s real talent.
LOSTMANE
Creating gorgeous atmospheres and stories through crisp and powerful sound design, LOSTMANE’s passion shines with every release. Making your hearts flutter and minds expand in an organic and emotional sense. Coming from Germany, he’s created a well-known name within the underground. Pushing the wave movement in a wonderful and euphoric fashion. From delicate melodies, earth-shattering drums, and a burst of fuel through his arrangements, he’s a force to be reckoned with. His newest releases will blow you away as well. His newest album, HEARTWAVE, created together with yell. and Senkya is something to behold. Each track differs from the last and completely showcases their styles blended in pure harmony. Having anyone feel inspired and alive. No matter what you find in his discography, you’ll be taken under a spell you won’t want to wake up from!
– JD
MAKENIX
One of the most underrated compilations of 2025 was THE SOUND DESIGN CLUB II from good dub. What first attracted me to the collection was Leotrix’s contribution, but what makes me return time and time again is the variety and quality of tracks from each individual contributor. I hadn’t heard of over half of these names before landing on the compilation, and it is a gold mine for Focus Five favourites. This month, I’m highlighting MAKENIX, a Brazilian producer who first landed on my radar as part of the collection on a track titled ‘nostalgic reflections’ alongside luviate. Raw emotion in dubstep is truly hard to find, and I always find myself coming back to ‘nostalgic reflections’ for exactly that. It’s a simple yet moving track that carries a heartwarming energy via a future riddim vessel. Further diving into the artist’s discography, one can find a variety of styles from MAKENIX, and while not every track is as gentle as ‘nostalgic reflections,’ the quality at which he produces heavier tracks is equally noteworthy. ‘EUPHORIA’ is but one example of this. Don’t sleep on MAKENIX.
-SC
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, PANDO! has captivated our ears with his unique approach to bass music. Blending organic instrumentation, ethereal soundscapes, hip-hop samples, and bumping bass, his sound is somewhere between Qualia and bouncey trap with hints of downtempo and experimental bass. Each track is an engrossing journey that invites you into his sonic world before unloading a barrage of bass that’s assured to have your head nodding with ease. ‘2HAWT’ and ‘Drift’ served as my introduction, as they are collaborations with recent FUXWITHIT favorite zero point, and I can assure you that they will not disappoint. If you’re looking for something a touch deeper, ‘Pull Up’ is your ticket, and if you’re in the mood for his heavier side, be sure to check out ‘Keep Dreaming’. Oh, and if you want to hear Future over some wonky, beautiful vibes, ‘Covered in Money’ is a must-listen. Everything PANDO! touches as of lately is gold, so smash that follow on his SoundCloud and get familiar.
Written by Alessio, Colin, John, Paul & Steph
