One of my plans for 2025 is making a concerted effort to post regularly about the tunes that I’m currently enjoying. It’s something I do on my socials from time to time but I think there’s more value to be found in properly blogging about it.
The way I see it, the streaming platforms (*cough* Spotify *cough*) couldn’t care less about actual music or musicians and the algorithms are less reliable than ever. If these platforms aren’t interested in supporting the non-mainstream artists & producers, maybe the rest of us need to start doing it ourselves.
So let’s kick off the New Year with some breakbeat bangers and a free download.
Hybrid – Siren Of The Storm
Hybrid have cranked out some stunning albums and countless incredible remixes over the last few decades. Their take on FSOL’s ‘Papua New Guinea’ is still a favourite of mine. Now they’ve released a new track on the first day of 2025 ahead of a new EP that’s coming out later in January. ‘Siren Of The Storm’ is 9 minutes of epic-ness that just breezes by in no time at all. Packed with synths, breaks, atmosphere, melody and everything else. Hybrid have picked a hell of a way to start 2025.
Keeno – Lights on (Polaris Remix)
There’s a genre of DnB that I affectionately refer to as “Forza Drum & Bass”. The reference being that it sounds like the kind of music you would hear in the video game Forza Horizon. This isn’t a slight. I really do enjoy that kind of blissed out, orchestral, emotive DnB and Keeno is up there as one of the best in this field.
Remixed by Polaris, Lights On is drenched in pianos and atmospherics. The way the breakdown changes at the four minute mark is pure goosebumps. Do check out the full album from Keeno while you’re at it.
Dwarde – Adrift
“Adrift” from Dwarde is a slice of atmospheric jungle that harks back to an earlier era of Drum & Bass. I seem to be on a bit of a fix for melodic breaks at the moment and “Adrift” really scratches that itch for me.
This track is part of the “Portal Tech EP” featuring jungle stalwarts Tim Reaper, DJ Sofa, Nectax & Sketchy Rida. Do check out Tim Reaper’s track “Monsoon Season” on this EP as it features some insane Amen break chopping.
Submorphics & Zar – Another Level Of Love
Some stellar DnB going on here. There’s something in the pad sound and the chosen chords on this track that remind me of an early Pendulum track. This is a slightly jazzier take however with a quality vocal from Zar that keeps things moving along nicely.
One for listening to in the early evening whilst walking the dog (which I literally just did before writing this).
Lavery – The Man Like (Free download)
Every week I’ll aim to work in a free (or “pay what you like”) download whenever I can find something worth sharing. First up is this retro breakbeat rinser from Lavery. This sounds like the kind of thing I would hear tucked away on old Fantazia tapes from back around ’93.
Released on Essex based Sub Code Records (Lavery’s own label ), a Jungle label with a catalogue of tracks that are worth your attention if you enjoy this kind of sound.
That’s it for this week. If you want to check out other tunes I’ve recommended, take a look at my previous Dodgy Picks.
If you have a tune on BandCamp that’s along the lines of Breakbeat / Rave / Drum n Bass / Old Skool / Techno etc. and you’d like to submit it for a possible recommendation, feel free to drop me a line.