It's time for a huge, new UK Bank Holiday Monday BBB! 🗞️✨
ENJOY 💙💙
—
NEWS
New Skrillex & ISOxo collaboration drops
Bass music's duo of the moment are back at it again! Last Friday, Skrillex and ISOxo released their 2nd official collaboration titled 'Smoke' on both OWSLA and Atlantic Records. The track is a follow-up to last October's 'fuze', the pair's first team-up which is regarded as one of the most impactful Bass tracks of 2025. For those living in the UK and US, the track's existence was revealed as people living multiple hours ahead in Australia started posting about the collab dropping. At that point the bedlam was cued, as people quickly worked out this was the final version of the famed 'Killers' ID that had been in circulation for roughly 4 years. In its full, released condition, the track also features rappers Cristale and TeeZandos.
Somewhat predictably, you had many people complaining about the fact that the final version sounded different to the leaked ones, especially on Reddit. Some were talking about the removal of the "Hands up!" vocal refrain from Jack Ü's (Skrillex & Diplo) 'Jungle Bae' with Bunji Garlin and Mx Prime; whilst others - somewhat crazily - said it doesn't hit the same as the live versions that have been doing the rounds since 2022. Wait, what? The super clean streaming service version doesn't sound the same as a recording of it played out on massive festival-sized speakers? Thankfully, there were other Reddit posts on hand to warn people about the 'demoitis' phenomenon, where people are disappointed with any changes to a finalised track, simply because of how used to the original ID they are. Shock horror guys - producers change what's in their tracks after first playing them out! If ever there was a reason to not actively seek out IDs - and all their updates - let it be the ones provided by this track.
Good Reddit thread (screenshot directly above) about 'Smoke' and 'demoitis': https://www.reddit.com/r/skrillex/comments/1t0uokh/the_actual_problem_with_smoke/
My own coverage of the collaboration is up on the channel if you've yet to see it, which I will link below. Also, please do let me know what your thoughts on the tune are after hearing it a few times more since Friday!
Reaction link: https://youtu.be/VkVOZj2Rl9c?si=-7VvKGc2oUWNY6q1
Disciple Records returns for new era
This is very interesting. Midway through last week, one of the biggest labels in modern Dubstep history, Disciple Records, posted on Instagram for the first time since November last year. After the label was sold to Create Music Group in 2020, and every signed artist left the label besides Bandlez - including previous label heads Dodge & Fuski and Myro too - the imprint announced that 'A lot of new music is on the way'. In a 12-slide carousel post, Disciple updated fans and followers by saying 'It's time to address the question everyone's been asking ... "Where's the music?"' before saying that 'The next chapter of Disciple starts this Friday, May 1st'. Following that were 10 IDs from artists not yet known, aside from the first of them which dropped on said Friday last week - underground Dubstep producer Eccentric's new cut 'we got the sound'.
I said above that this is very interesting, and not just because it's fascinating to think of what a Disciple Records 2.0 could look like, without the signed artists and general energy the collective had for so many years. It's also intriguing because of the fact that Dodge is starting his own label at the moment too. These two things happening concurrently is perhaps not ideal for Dodge, who likely wants to forget about Disciple altogether now, yet his own creation has a resurgence to it now that means it'll be around for a while yet. Well, for 10 single releases at least! Will there be any potential competition between the two organisations? Only time will tell.
I did my own short-form coverage of this news on my Instagram page if you'd like to check that out. It's worth a look for the fact that alone that Dodge left some thoughts in the comments section, and sought to separate what he's doing from this Disciple resurrection. I'll link the reel here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXuRiwIjCNw/?igsh=MXdlaGR3ZXVoNHNjcA==
What are you guys making of the fact that Disciple's returning in such a definitive, official way? Leave all your thoughts in the comments!
The 'opening DJs' debate happens again
Seriously? Again? This is in the NEWS section and not the DISCUSSION one because it got comically out of hand, and the discussion's already been had tens of times by now. Simply put, it's people arguing online - yet again - about whether DJs that open shows should ever 'go harder' than the DJs headlining that particular event. The discourse kicked off thanks to House producer / DJ LUCATI, who said 'a little reminder: the opener should never go harder than the headliner'. This tweet was quote tweeted by Levity, who said 'Openers should present themselves the way they want & play what they want ... Those headliners were once openers & they didn’t become headliners by nerfing their sets'. From there, all hell broke loose on X, where one artist and fan after another piled into the discussion.
I'm not gonna get heavy into the philosophy of this debate, because again it's been had so many times by now. There was a good point made about why we should ever make anything like this a competition, pictured below. It was also good to get some more House-oriented insight from legend of the genre Chris Lake. But mostly, it produced quite a few funny moments surrounding the conversation, which I thought were worth sharing too.
Chris Lake thread (worth reading): https://x.com/chrislake/status/2049578168076706177?s=46&t=TEbbHyZ3OlICtgts4_3J0g
I know I haven't given my personal thoughts on the matter (coz I've given them before on a previous BBB!), but if you have anything you wanna share on this subject please do so in the comments section!
MUSIC
Skism reflects on the start of Never Say Die: Black Label
Another nice trip down memory lane with Skism! The ex-Never Say Die label head took to Instagram once again to do a bit of reminiscing, this time going back to 2015 when the collective's sister imprint NSD: Black Label was founded. Along with posting the artwork for the label's first compilation, Skism shared pictures with old Never Say Die stalwarts Eptic, MUST DIE! and LAXX, footage with his son, and also the incredible factoid that 'Black Hole' with Trampa was the last track he officially released. That came out in September 2015, which is absolutely mad to think. Anyway, give the post a butchers, and happy reminiscing!
Post link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXqLNBwEttb/?igsh=MXMzN3Y3NjQybnJvMA==
Skream x Benga x Nitepunk
This is spicy, very spicy indeed! Not that I've listened to the clip or anything, but this combination of names is more than enough to really get me going. In a musical sense of course, don't get any ideas. Original Dubstep legends Skream and Benga have a collab album dropping at some point in the near future, and it seems likely now that one of the current biggest names in Bass music, Nitepunk, will feature on it. My head is spinning a little bit thinking about what this could sound like - will Nitepunk be bringing ideas or production quality to the table more? How will his raspy Breaks-leaning sound fit within the mostly-pensive, cavernous OG Dubstep sound of Skream and Benga? We'll have to wait and see, but safe to say I'm very excited to hear how this specific collab turns out.
Clip: https://x.com/i_skream/status/2049576439167553875?s=46&t=TEbbHyZ3OlICtgts4_3J0g
New Modal Nodes A/B
A couple of days ago, Riddim talk of the town Modal Nodes shared an eery trailer to social media with the simple caption '05.04' - May 4th. Of course the Star Wars-themed artist had to release music on 'May the 4th be with you' day. Get it? Coz 'May the 4th' sounds like 'May the force', so really it's a pretty good pun. The new release in question is an A/B titled 'Destiny / Jawa Dub', which dropped today (Monday 4th) and is a self-release. As Brostep and 140 gain more prominence in the scene with each passing week, it's clear that Modal Nodes are at the forefront of keeping Riddim in the conversation when it comes to clean, impactful, well-made Dubstep. And there's no sign of them slowing down with that!
Stream 'Destiny / Jawa Dub': https://soundcloud.com/modalnodesdubs/sets/destiny-jawa-dub
Have any of you guys been quick enough to hear this double yet? If so, let me know what you're making of it in the comments!
New Ivy Lab EP
In their final year as a duo, Ivy Lab are doing the most to go out with a bang. Last week we got an announcement from them that a new EP - potentially their final multi-track project ever - will be dropping on their own Twenty Twenty London record label on May 15th. The collection will consist of 6 tracks, and the first single from it titled 'Rajah' came out last Friday. The EP, in their words, '[spans] a bunch of moods, styles & influences', so vintage Ivy Lab really! I'm very much looking forward to this coming out, and will almost definitely be reacting to it on Twitch given it could be their final release of all time. Long live Ivy Lab!
Biggest Bass releases of the week
Aside from the ISOSKRILL mania, it's worth highlighting the new SPAG EP - his first in a new era for the alias - and the new Seven Lions EP for his own Ophelia Records. Singles-wise, in terms of big names there were drops from: Caspa, Liquid Stranger & AHEE, Ganja White Night & TVBOO, LSDREAM & Kotek, Chime, Oliverse, EDDIE and WINK. Furthermore, Automhate came through with an A/B, whilst albums-wise I'll direct you towards new LPs from WHIPPED CREAM and [BORDERS]. Things are pretty quiet on the big project front at the moment, it seems!
SPAG EP reaction: https://youtu.be/MtgwZqjLNg4?si=jI_rDhnVDhmls4S1
Linked and pictured above is my coverage of the new SPAG EP, which I published on the channel today. Happy watching and listening! 💙
DISCUSSION
Let the Skrillex 'divinity complex' die
A simple question for you on this fine Monday - is there anyone else in EDM at Skrillex's level in terms of cultural reach, and music quality? Cultural reach due to the sheer range of genres he's dipped his toes into, and artists he's collaborated with along the way (I actually got involved with Anthony Fantano's 'LET'S ARGUE' video series once making this exact point). And then music quality because, well ... he makes amazing music in terms of a general standard of production and idea creation as a combination. But what about this 'divinity complex' that @TokenOfTheMonth speaks of?
I mean, does it matter too much if EDM people put Skrillex on the highest pedestal possible? This might not be what the post is saying, but the implication might be that the scene's immense collective love for Skrillex is getting in the way of elevating other artists to that level. Don't forget though, it isn't just how incredible he is as a musician, but how lovely most perceive him to be as a human being. That has got him a long way in terms of people liking who he is beyond the art he puts out. There are many other EDM artists, as we know, who've fallen by the wayside in terms of popularity because of something they've done away from the stage.
All this to say, Skrillex has achieved the most across all facets of his discography and brand, so surely he deserves that level of acclaim until he inevitably hangs up his boots at some point? Is there anything really stopping us from giving that level of love to another producer / DJ within the scene? Or again, maybe I'm misinterpreting the post. Is it that he's dipped in form in some people's eyes, and isn't actually as good as he used to be, so may not be deserving of said praise? It's an interesting discussion point, but ultimately I can't say anyone else comes to mind in terms of cultural significance alongside him within the EDM - or mainstream electronic - scene.
What do you guys think though? Has there been anyone else on Skrillex's combined musical and cultural level since his blow-up in the early 2010s?
FUNNIES // COOL STUFF
The ultimate early 2010s Soundcloud producer chart
This is absolutely mental to look at. Producer / DJ Ramon Pang reached out on X to ask fans and followers of his if they could help him find a chart (of sorts) showing all the prominent 2010s Soundcloud artists. And someone actually sorted him out! Zoom in and enjoy to your heart's content! ❤️
The Dubstep logo poster is complete
Could something like this ever be truly complete? I'm not sure, but it sure is full to the brim on this poster! Very cool to see all these logos beside one another - some of which are great of course, and others downright awful! - and establish stylistic similarities between them.
Getter's best work yet??
Generational banger right here.
(Just kidding, I don't want to get your hopes up. But it's definitely worth a watch coz it's funny af)
Reel link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXqO9MoCKQ7/?igsh=MXFjcGtqbDZ0cTQ0cA==
Another Chime reel classic
Chime surely has to be the best reel maker in the Dubstep scene? The way they generate content every single week, and it's a great mix of art, humour and information - and they all look so good. Bravo, bravo I say!
Reel link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXzqztsuznM/?igsh=MTYyeno5cjZsOWM0dA==
Mat Zo shares beautiful production tool
I mean, just look at this. Absolutely stunning, aside from it likely being an incredibly useful production tool given it's been made by Mat Zo. Worth investigating if you make music, in my opinion!
Reel link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXrgF26iI-3/?igsh=emlncXl1NnM4anl4
Knife Party's usage of sine waves
Another one for the producers amongst you! But also for those who are just interested in Knife Party, and how they made some of their most iconic sounds. Big ups to Cure for another stellar vid!
Reel link: https://x.com/cureaudio/status/2051028969164607936?s=46&t=TEbbHyZ3OlICtgts4_3J0g
—
Did I miss anything from the last week in Bass music? Let me know below! 😌