Epic Soundscapes: 5 Tracks That Captured My Brain This Year
November 4, 2024
November 4, 2024
Say Hello to Leap96, the Collaborative Project from ALRT & Sam Silver
When I look back at festival lineups I’ve attended, I’m often in awe, not of the headliners, but of the undercard. There are so many talented electronic artists in the world, and only a very small percentage make it to the level of playing a festival. So, no matter where the artist is billed, they are among the best in the country. Everyone has to start somewhere, and the artists you’re used to seeing at the top of festival lineups were once at the bottom. I want to share five of my favorite artists who are currently rising in popularity, but are still relatively small. I believe these artists will eventually top lineups as each brings their unique take on popular genres. If you see one of these artists on a lineup, go early to see them; it’ll be worth it, I promise.
Probably the biggest artist in this article, AlleyCvt continues to make a name for herself with her take on classic mid-tempo. With songs like “Back2life” and “Right Back,” she brings a fresh taste to the mid-tempo genre, complemented by her beautiful vocals, which she often provides herself. Her songs are bass-heavy, yet devoid of the “repetitive headbanging” that is often criticized in the bass industry. She is increasingly appearing on festival lineups, including a packed performance at EDC 2023 in May. Currently on her Planet Supersonic Tour, she will continue to rise in the electronic music ranks. Luckily for us, she is stopping in Tempe on November 11th, and you can get tickets here!
The mysterious masked DJ known as Astrolizard landed on earth in 2021 with their official remix of “Psychonaut” by Liquid Stranger. This marked the first time anyone had heard of them, and the mystery continues as their identity remains unknown. Not letting that hold them back, Astrolizard not only releases singles from time to time but also dropped an entire album in 2021 called Bizarre Universe. It showed that even at their current level of fame, the production of their songs rivals that of the most well-known artists. If you’re a fan of space bass artists such as LSDREAM and Liquid Stranger, Astrolizard is for you.
The heaviest DJ on this list, Ivory has consistently captivated audiences with his heavy take on dubstep. He blends elements of tear-out and dubstep, delivering some of the heaviest songs in the genre. His Dead Space EP features hard-hitting tracks, including my favorite, “Dead Space.” With high-profile remixes under his belt, including remixes of “WTF” by Herobust and “Heart Break” by Slander, Ivory has shown the world that heavy should be his middle name. His latest release, “Sea Turtles,” brings a fun bass house vibe, while his second latest release, “Guardians,” offers a heavy dubstep track that will get bass-lovers moving. If you’re a fan of dubstep, check out Ivory!
The “smallest” DJ on this list, Similar Outskirts is pushing boundaries in the bass world. With songs spanning genres from house to dubstep, Similar Outskirts offers a beautiful, almost video game-like take on multiple genres, resulting in unique songs that still showcase excellent production. Tracks like “Hourglass” and “Magnetic” combine elements of dubstep and melodic bass, wrapped in a presentation of bright chords with nasty breakdowns. The last drop of “Magnetic” is one of my all time favorites, and is like a hypothetical collaboration between Louis the Child and Excision. As an artist on Chime’s Rushdown Records, Similar Outskirts is also a pioneer of the new genre called color bass, and his song “Shockwave” is an amazing representation of this concept. If you enjoy dubstep but also appreciate melodic artists like Gryffin, check out Similar Outskirts!
Wrapping up this article is RemK, who is undoubtedly on the rise. With an official remix for Gryffin, RemK’s name is on the map and continues to grow. RemK offers a unique take on trap, often mixing trap and house in a single song, resulting in a diverse listening experience in each released song. His track “Real Love” has been on repeat for me and is a great example of RemK’s signature sound. His latest release, “Heatwave,” showcases classic trap sounds, yet the breakdown showcases RemK’s distinctive style. If you’re a fan of Isoxo or RL Grime, RemK is for you! He is currently on his debut headline tour, Surf City, which touches down in Tempe on September 22nd. Get your tickets here!
