Prepare for Impact: Dion Timmer’s Bass Revolution at Sunbar this May!
March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024
Tucson Prepare to Headbang with Kai Wachi This Thursday
Color bass is one of my favorite genres in electronic music. As a subgenre of bass music, color bass places a greater emphasis on major chords and bright sounds. The distinction between color bass/dubstep and melodic bass lies in the fact that color bass retains the dynamic movement of dubstep, while melodic bass leans more towards significant chord progressions. This genre is still evolving, and I am excited to share with you five of my favorite songs!
“Can’t Feel It” by Chime
Let’s begin with the king of color bass, Chime, who has invested considerable effort to raise awareness about the genre. This song was on repeat when I first heard it, and it is an excellently crafted piece. Commencing with beautiful vocals that persist throughout the song, the buildup is subtle. When it finally drops, a flurry of chords erupts into a descending, bright dubstep drop. The dubstep sounds fluctuate, adding movement to the song. If you enjoy melodic bass, this song is for you!
“Shockwave” by Similar Outskirts
Similar Outskirts is one of those DJs who are always pushing the boundaries. This incredible song truly embodies what color bass is about. With a fun melody in the intro that reminds me of video game music, the buildup signals a massive drop. Featuring a playful pre-drop vocal, the drop is packed with insane chords, highlighting each downbeat. It is the perfect combination of bright sounds mixed with heavy dubstep. If you appreciate dubstep, this song is for you!
“Cryptochrome” by Au5
One of the most innovative DJs in bass music, Au5, nailed this track. The song boasts a beautifully constructed melody in the intro, and the buildup consists of deep sounds that set up the drop perfectly. The drop is chaotic yet organized in a way that illustrates the journey he is trying to convey. A mixture of bright sounds and incredible accents proves that this song deserves to be on repeat!
“Arcadia” by Ace Aura, Pixel Terror
Another significant supporter of the color bass movement, Ace Aura, has made his mark in the industry. This song can be classified as dubstep, but the heavy use of bright sounds aligns well with the color bass movement (genres are fluid, anyway). With a great buildup, the drop features heavy dubstep elements, complemented by numerous bright, major chord accents, providing the song with an extra dimension. Both heavy and bright, this song also exhibits the complex movement in the drop that color bass fans are accustomed to.
“Chroma” by Virtual Riot
Closing out this list is my favorite Virtual Riot song. Virtual Riot has always been known for a high level of production, and this song is no exception. In the drop, nearly all heavy bass notes found in typical bass songs are removed. Instead, a carefully crafted melody of bright noises maintains the tempo and paints a beautiful picture of stars twinkling. This song is always on repeat for me—check it out!
