April Round Up

Well well well, what another month it’s been for bass music. For a start, we launched our brand new event series, UKF Invites. And boy did it go off. Flava D was joined by Taiki Nulight and Casey Club for a night of dubstep deliciousness which culminated in a special half-hour b2b2b that had the whole room in a wobble-induced frenzy. You lot showed up early, stayed late, and brought the energy we love to see. Big up everyone who made it down!

Meanwhile, over in the Balearics, the International Music Summit Ibiza spotlighted jungle and drum & bass for the very first time. Not one, not two, not even three, but four full panels were dedicated to our beloved genre. From its socio-political roots to its global takeover, the discussions were packed with insight, passion, and plenty of bassline appreciation. Jungle and D&B have officially been welcomed to the high tables- about time too.

April also saw some absolutely huge show announcements. Wilkinson is levelling up with the announcement of his biggest-ever solo show at Alexandra Palace, massive scenes incoming. Chase & Status are turning up the heat at All Points East with their RTRN II DANCE takeover, and they’ve just dropped a seriously stacked second wave of artists. Alix Perez is also in full swing, bringing the 1985 Music showcase back to Camden’s legendary Roundhouse. 

Modern-day legend Nia Archives unveiled the first release on her new label Up Your Archives, and no surprise, it’s a smasher. Nia’s golden touch continues, and the new imprint promises to be a vital home for the next wave of jungle-rooted innovation.

Elsewhere in the digital world, SoundCloud quietly rolled out a new look. Chances are you clocked it already- whether from the updated UI or the subtle panic when you couldn’t find your favourite bootleg. Still, fresh features, slicker navigation, and better tools for creators can only be a good thing. We’re betting that more than a few of your new favourite mixes will land there in the coming months.

That’s your April in bass. We’ll see you next month, same time, same place. Don’t forget your earplugs!

Mixes

Bakey @ Kindred x Warehouse Project Records

Ant Mullholland 

The ever-evolving Bakey greets us with an hour of 140 bpm goodness weaving through dubstep, grime, and bass. This young DJ and producer consistently has a refreshing take on underground styles and this set at Kindred in West London displays this yet again. This pop-up brought together a small group of his fans, celebrating his new track released earlier in the month on Warehouse Project Records ‘Backrooms’. 

Ivy Lab x Kasra 

Sagar Deshmukh

For over two decades, Coachella has subtly woven drum & bass and jungle into its sonic tapestry, featuring acts in various capacities since the early 2000s. However, in recent years, the festival has significantly amplified its commitment to the genre, showcasing a surge in high-profile bass music artists.

Coachella’s 2024 lineup solidifies this evolution, spotlighting two of the most forward-thinking forces in the bass music realm—Ivy Lab and Kasra—at the legendary Do LaB stage. Ivy Lab, renowned for their genre-defying, glitchy bass experiments, are set to deliver their signature twisted sonics, while Kasra, the driving force behind Critical Music, will channel the raw, underground spirit of drum & bass that he’s championed with unwavering dedication for decades. 

In anticipation of their Coachella takeover,, Ivy Lab and Kasra have teamed up to drop a blistering 39-minute mini-mix — a sonic snapshot of what fans can expect both at the festival and on the road. The mix showcases the full breadth of Kasra’s love for the deep, gritty, and underground, woven seamlessly with Ivy Lab’s flair for all things off-kilter and wonky in the realm of bass music.

But this mix isn’t just a festival teaser—it’s also the official prelude to their upcoming USA tour, which includes stops in Washington DC, Miami, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, and, of course, a highly anticipated set at Coachella.

Tracks

 Nia Archives x Cheetah – ‘Get Loose’  released on Up Ya Archives

Ant Mullholland

This soca inspired jungle rhythm is due to be exactly what this summer needed. With the sunshine starting to make an appearance, we have an anthem here that’ll cause mayhem throughout festival season. It’s catchy lyricism from Nia along with Cheetah & Nia’s notable drum stamps, this first ever release on Up Ya Archives has all the ingredients to get you moving as we head towards another summer of jungle. 

Doechii – Nissan Altima (Taiki Nulight Edit)

Amanda Ross

The self-confessed cheeky bugger Taiki Nulight does not miss! He’s concocted a searing new 140 edit of Doechii’s fierce “Nissan Altima” and in fine form, this heavyweight edit is a real bassbin stressor. Known for dynamic production skills, Taiki has gone all in on the Tampa rapper’s vocals, showcasing Doechii’s sick flow paired with a funky bassline, making this one extremely addictive and danceable. Best part is, he’s letting this one go for free — get involved here.

Royalston – Bridget Riley

Sagar Deshmukh

For someone who’s kept a relatively low profile in the wider drum & bass landscape, Royalston has quietly — yet confidently — carved out a space that champions quality, emotion, and razor-sharp precision.

Hailing from Sydney, Royalston has spent over a decade dishing out his signature sound—a seamless fusion of razor-sharp drum & bass precision and the bold, experimental edge of his Australian heritage. The result? A body of work that stands as a masterclass in sound design and storytelling, with four studio albums under his belt, the latest of which dropped on his own imprint, Midnight Zone.

This label has become something of a canvas for Royalston’s deeper, more personal expressions — and his recent release, ‘Bridget Riley,’ is a shining example of that. Named, perhaps metaphorically, after the British artist known for her optical illusions and shifting patterns, the tune feels like one of the most accomplished and emotionally rich pieces Royalston has ever released.

Forget the technical aspects for a moment (though they’re undoubtedly there in full force); just listen – and through the 5 minutes and 25 seconds of its playtime, and you’ll be taken through what feels like three to four distinct emotional landscapes, all intricately woven together.

What makes ‘Bridget Riley’ so remarkable is its ability to shift effortlessly between moods while maintaining a cohesive vision. It’s not just a dancefloor weapon—though it certainly can be—but a piece of music that demands immersion. Royalston doesn’t just make drum & bass; he crafts sonic experiences, and this track is proof of his artistry.

What’s remarkable about ‘Bridget Riley’ is how fluidly Royalston weaves through these movements without ever losing cohesion. It’s cinematic yet intimate, technically meticulous yet emotionally raw. In doing so, Royalston reminds us why he continues to be one of the most compelling and revered names in drum & bass today.

DJ Hype Return of the Dubplate Killa Volume 1

Amanda Ross

Now that the new era of Playaz Recordings has been established, it’s time to set everything aside and give the new EP a whirl. DJ Hype has reintroduced himself with “Return of the Dubplate Killa” in collaboration with Heist, with MC Daddy Earl providing nothing less than a timeless future classic. Capturing that pure Playaz magic, Return of the Dubplate Killa Volume 1 gives us a fresh new collection of tracks from legacy artists like Hazard, Tyke, and Crystal Clear. Enter DJ Hazard’s cinematic smasher “End Game”, capturing his trademark style and heaviness.Tyke and Prestige team up on “They’re Watching Us”, which swings out the gate with an ideal sound palette of bass, intricate drums and a jazzy character. Long-time label alum Crystal Clear rounds out the EP with a stunning VIP of his chart-topping “The Code”, injecting new flavours into an already solid roller. The comeback vibes are real over at Playaz HQ, with DJ Hype sharing with UKF, “Feels great to be producing and releasing music again”.