With releases on Inspected, MorFlo Records and Sound Museum, it’s clear that people are taking note of the Polish producer’s talents, and the artist is now ready to take his sound to the next level with the release of his Misfortune EP. Set to release on October 13th, the four-track project carries that quintessential Ankou flair for its entire duration and adds more fire to his impressive discography. About the ensemble, Ankou states, “‘Misfortune’ is an EP that took me took me way longer to create than it should have. After finishing my last one, I kind of fell into a loophole of misfortune trying to fight imposter syndrome and perfectionism. I finally managed to put together this 4-track EP that I’m really proud of and treat very personally. It’s definitely my most introspective project so far.” Having the heard project in full, it’s clear that the time spent on it has materialized into something great.

Today, we have the extreme pleasure of premiering the project’s title track; a dark garage-leaning collaboration with Deescawa. On working with Deescawa, Ankou states “I discovered Deescawa’s music a few years ago on SoundCloud and we first linked up in 2020 when Lev messaged me on Instagram. Last year we decided to collaborate so I sent him the very early version of ‘Misfortune’ and told him it’s going to be the title track of the new EP I was working on. He added a whole new level of depth to the track that perfectly suited my vision for the project.” The chemistry between Ankou and Deescawa is evident from the get-go as the pair conjure up a minimal yet looming soundscape. Slowly building with energy as percussion is added into the mix, the drop is rhythmic and methodical, emanating a danceable feel without losing the ominous touch. ‘Misfortune’ is not overly complex in its ideas, but the top-tier execution makes it a highly-enjoyable track. Don’t miss it below and look out for the Misfortune EP due out on Friday.

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Today, the artist returns with another menacing track that lands right into his wheelhouse. The self-released ‘Witchcraft’ sees Ankou go back to his roots, as he opens the cut with a haunting sample that touches on the history of witch hunts. As the sample fades, soul-crushing bass takes center-stage, with Ankou showering listeners with a relentless dose of energy. A brief interlude subsequently leads the track to its apex, as a supernova of sound hits even harder in the second drop.

‘Witchcraft’ is quintessential Ankou. Don’t miss it below.

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The name of the track offers insight into the sinister aura that it carries, with the artwork further complementing that tone. ‘Sleepwalker’ creates vivid imagery of the sleep paralysis monsters we often hear about, but it’s carved into a bass-heavy brute that is primed for powerful sound systems. Following a looming introduction, Ankou and Vellum jump straight into sound design madness, flexing mind-melting bass riffs layered above a swagger-filled flow. Relentless with its bass-in-your-face approach, ‘Sleepwalker’ showcases the production prowess of both artists, and hopefully gives us a taste of what’s to come in 2023. Don’t miss it below.

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The first single from REZI’s upcoming Adventus EP via MorFlo Records, ‘Black Hole’ spans well over five minutes and shines a light on the strengths of both producers. The artists use an old school sample to drive a sinister tone in the introduction, before unleashing a barrage of bass that’s consistently abrasive but never unpleasant. The first drop of ‘Black Hole’ is the section that’s likely to be played out in clubs and at festivals, however it’s the second half of the track that really makes it a standout tune. At the two-minute mark, the producers change the soundscape behind the same voice that introduced the piece to create a more introspective, thought-provoking aura. Leaning towards more towards textures than bass, REZI and Ankou demonstrate their ability to weave uplifting melodies into the initially-heavy tune, attesting to their aforementioned versatility.

Don’t miss ‘Black Hole’ below and be sure to check our REZI’s Adventus EP on September 16th.

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Today, the producer returns to our airwaves with a self-released brute titled ‘Menace’ that lives up to its name. Stylistically, ‘Menace’ falls right into Ankou’s bread and butter, boasting a halftime flow full of swagger. With an opening vocal that speaks of experimenting within electronic music, ‘Menace’ slowly grows into a devilish bass cut highlighted by grungy sound design, snappy percussion and a keen attention to detail. The track never grows stale as Ankou continuously peppers new ideas into the mix, lacing the second drop with more layers of distortion and madness.

Don’t miss ‘Menace’ below.

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The next exemplification of this statement is the upcoming Cosmogony EP from Poland-based Ankou, serving as a follow-up to his stellar Fatum EP released back in March. Set to be heard by the masses on November 18th, Cosmogony is a six-track project spanning everything from dubstep, to halftime, to house, with Ankou showcasing a versatility that contends with the greats. The artist is able to evoke a plethora of raw emotions throughout the journey that is the Cosmogony EP, which is a rare feat nowadays among creators of bass music. Ahead of the full release, we have the extreme pleasure of premiering ‘Forlorn,’ a gloomy bass house track that spurs these conflicting emotions.

Regarding the origins of ‘Forlorn,’ Ankou tells us it started as a future bass project. “I tried to have a fresh take on the genre so I started messing around with Ableton’s Granulator II and writing the main chord progression. I have to admit I was really inspired by IMANU’s recent house tracks so I decided to give it a try changing the drums in the project and I thought that it sounded much better this way. It is definitely different than my usual stuff, I wanted to show my versatility as a producer with this one,” he adds. Within the project as a whole, ‘Forlorn’ acts as a relief to the first four tracks that are more intense and aggressive. As a standalone, ‘Forlorn’ is melancholic, sinister and slightly apocalyptic yet sprinkled with a tad of hope. The textures at the forefront of the introduction are granular and tumultuous, before Ankou uses percussion to give the piece rhythm and bounce without ever straying from the somber soundscape. In the second half, this theme is repeated once more, but a serene melody is layered above the contrasting darkness to give listeners a sense of rejuvenation.

‘Forlorn’ and the Cosmogony EP as a whole are a testament to Ankou’s undeniable versatility. Don’t miss the former below and stay tuned for the latter, out soon.

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Now, the skilled Polish producer returns to our sound systems with a self-released single titled ‘Ember,’ and quite frankly, this might be his best original to date. The unlikely combination of mystical melodies and brutish bass is wildly enthralling, with a perfect balance of contrast on various aspects of the track coming together to form a cohesive, goosebump-inducing piece. The opening is strangely hopeful in soundscape, with underlying textures contributing to the ethereal nature of the track. Gradually building to the drop section, Ankou never cuts the flow, with new layers of bass and percussion driving the intensity without ever forgoing the musicality that he built up in the introduction. A halftime heater constructed to set your speakers ablaze with its raw, uncut energy, ‘Ember’ is Ankou at his best. Don’t miss it below.

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Now, Ankou joins the elite at Inspected with the Fatum EP, a four-track endeavour layered with mischief and madness but that carries a satisfying musicality throughout. Being the first individual project on the label since the incredible Low Focus EP from Skope, the bar was set high for the young Polish talent, but he delivered. Leaning on the halftime side but drawing influence from other realms of bass music, the Fatum EP is cohesive from start to finish and is carefully ordered to properly introduce and conclude the project. Each track is distinctly rugged in its approach, with core-rattling synths and snappy percussion mainly driving the drop sections. However, soft notes, ethereal textures and meticulously selected samples add a new dimension to the tracks, allowing the Fatum EP to stand out among collections that are often solely focused on pushing bass.

It seems as though every time we listen to the Fatum EP, we have a new favourite, attesting to Ankou’s production mastery. Don’t miss it below.

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Ankou

With very recent releases on both Inspected and Renraku, as well as a hefty catalog of singles and remixes that range from dubstep to halftime, it’s time the bass scene stopped sleeping on Ankou. Landing on my radar with the menacing bootleg of ‘Figaro’ that established the Polish-based artist among the best up-and-comers in the scene through a relentless flow that truly shatters listeners to their core, Ankou has since gone on to release one quality tune after the other. Showcasing a versatility in genres while staying true to a gritty signature sound, the talented producer is sure to unleash the nastiest of bass faces no matter what style he chooses to explore. It’s a shame it took us so long to feature Ankou, as few are keeping bass music as fresh as he is. A deep dive into his repertoire is highly recommended.
-SC

d:enigma

I’m so used to writing about music coming from every corner of the planet that when I find something closer to home, it always feels somehow special. Last month I brought you to Italy, this time we’re going to cross the Austrian border to the city of Gratz, 480 kilometers from the room where I’m typing these words right now. This is where the music enthusiast, dancer and producer who goes by the name of d:enigma is currently based.  With just six tracks out, labeling this project as a newcomer is definitely not out of place, but considering him unprepared, that would be a mistake. I can agree that twenty minutes of music are barely enough to get to know an artist properly, but as in life, first impressions matter a lot. His Virtual Self EP released via Vale is one hell of a calling card that flexes what he’s made of: intricate beats, genre fluidity, extreme care to details. It’s clear that he knows what he wants and that he’s not down to accept compromises. Only time will tell us the truth, but I’ve placed my bet. Your turn.
-AA

Konka

Canada’s west coast scene is as diverse as they come, especially on the bass side of things. One of those experimental artists, Vancouver’s Konka, is all but impossible to pin down. His passion for all things under the bass umbrella has led him to dabble in, and play with, halftime, DnB, dubstep, garage and future beats. That said, the one constant to Konka’s creations is they’re sure to slap.

My first proper foray into Konka’s catalogue came with his three-track Street Ritual EP, Shrine. Featuring a dark and ominous Far East soundscape, the EP opens as a spine-tingling stalker, morphs into a raucous rush of raw industrial DnB and closes with a toxic twist that may lead to you lose your lunch. Following a few months later, Konka had me captivated with the unholy animus of Westwood X affair, ‘Corsette.’ A brutish, bump-and-grind banger, there’s no missing the intensity and animosity at its core. More recently, Konka’s lent his abilities to other west coasters with an epic remix of Kermode’s powerhouse ‘Paladin‘ and an ice-cold collab with Outsider in ‘Trus’ Me.’ What Konka will do next, we do not know. However, we do know this; it’ll be a hard-hitter.
-OJ

Norémac

Championing the latest genre sensation that’s sweeping the SoundCloud nation, Los Angeles’s Norémac has only one goal; making hyperbounce as popular as humanly possible. Blurring the line between rhythm-focused trap and the gritty, jarring sound design of dubstep, you’re left with a concoction that’s astronomically absurd. First firmly capturing my attention with his release ‘Chucked,’ I was quickly enamored with the abrasive and immensely energetic style, which will undoubtedly light the scene on fire if given enough proper attention. His collaboration ‘Muggin’ with fellow hyperbounce enthusiast Cm. is another prime example of just how ruthless and diverse this sound can be, packing more oomph than a fully-loaded bazooka and enough bounce to make a trampoline quiver with jealousy. In dire need of some immensely brutal, forward-thinking pieces in your life? Norémac and hyperbounce have you more than covered.
-AB

$ayonara.

Experimental, wavy, minimal, captivating. All words that perfectly characterize $ayonara. The Romanian producer has been bubbling on the low for year but recently captivated my full attention with ‘HOLDmeDOWN.’ and ‘EYESonÜ.’ The former pairs ghostly vocals with a stripped-down trap approach creating a tranquil atmosphere pulsating with feels. The latter is an adventurous affair that could be likened to TroyBoi off too much Indica. Beautiful worldly elements are layered with lush pads and expertly placed samples. If you’re looking to truly slow things down and feel all the emotion or are just a wave enthusiast, ‘HeCan’tF***You.‘ is another can’t miss.
-C

Word by Alessio, Alex, Colin, Oggie & Steph.

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The ensemble is kicked off in wicked fashion with Netherlands-based Trinist delivering a crisp drum and bass cut that’s equally gritty as it is playful. The four-minute ‘Transmute’ is fast-paced, relentless and abrasive, but in the best way possible, setting the bar high for the tracks that follow. Fellow Dutchmen not yes come next with the brief but smooth halftime bop titled ‘Don’t Do Math,’ where the duo provide a welcome change of pace after the opener. badtwin follow with a neurofunk beast of their own, swaying between brutal, core-shattering bass and lighter, more melodic notes in ‘Airy’ to concoct a well-rounded tune that is quintessential Inspected material. Then, FUXWITHIT favourite Saka showcases one of his most impressive tracks to date in ‘Stasis,’ keeping his signature halftime sound intact and pairing rugged synths with sinister melodies to a tee. Finally, Ankou caps off the impressive compilation with ‘Inertia,’ a looming, robotic brute that fits perfectly into the bass-riddled collection.

Powered By Inspected: Series 2 is yet another reminder of Inspected’s ability to curate boundary-pushing content. Don’t miss the sophomore compilation below.

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