Being able to bend reality and warp minds using sound is a talent that bass artists have learned to master and inject into their music, capturing the attention of ears all over the globe. Using deep complex basslines, catchy melodies and intricate samples, Chicago based artist, KTRL, has put forth an absolute heater of an EP entitled Don’t Fall Asleep that is not to be missed. Our premiere today off this 3 track masterpiece, “Trouble”, combines dark and moody soundscapes with driving synths and melodies, giving this track a unique and bouncy rhythm that can be heard across the EP’s entirety. There is no doubt that KTRL is about to take the bass scene by absolute storm with this release. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Trouble” and the rest of the Don’t Fall Asleep EP, a certified bop.

“Wanted to create a project that’s cohesive & tells a story. Don’t Fall Asleep is the title track & bounces off well with the others. So happy it came together & I hope yall enjoy!” -KTRL

The HBS team is on a constant mission to find the best of what the dubstep scene has to offer. Today’s find takes us all the way to California where a fast-rising heavy bass act is taking up the talk of the town everywhere he goes. He goes by the name of NRVE, a commanding force in the world of heavy dubstep and riddim and today he showcases why he is a must-see act on any lineup. Today we have the honor of premiering their newest project, a single titled ‘THRASHER”. If you are a big fan of a few inspirational artists such as Aweminus, Saigga and Akeos, then this track will be right up your alley. Now it’s time to take a deeper dive as to what makes this track what we like to call, a certified bop.

“This tune was honestly a ton of fun to make. This was one of the first “real” riddim tunes that I have made so it was a bit of a challenge as to how I would translate my heavy style into the genre. One of my favorite bits is the overall flow of the drop and how loose it is. It gives it kind of a charm that I want to bring to songs that I’m working on currently. Overall I’m extremely happy with how this one turned out!” -NRVE

1. What’s the strangest or most unexpected sound you’ve sampled in a track before?
   Me and a buddy of mine Exille made a tune completely out of fart sounds. Also I am pretty sure me and MOB did that as well a few times.

2. How do you keep your sets fresh and exciting for both yourself and your audience?
   A lot of the time when I’m setting up playlists for shows, I dig through soundcloud and try to find stuff I really like. Once I find a bunch of stuff I immediately go into rekordbox and find doubles for those tunes. Another thing I’ll do often is make edits of classic dubstep tunes and include that into my sets.

3. How do you stay inspired as an artist and avoid creative blocks?
   Two of the main things that I’ll do whenever I’m feeling uninspired or reaching a creative block is either making stuff outside of dubstep / riddim, or making edits of songs. Like I said before, making edits of tunes is a surefire way to have new material for playing out at shows, as well as potential releases! For the second one, making stuff outside of your main genre is always a good way to experiment in the daw. Even if what I’m making is just for fun, It’s always good practice and usually inspires me to make something else.

4. If you could create a soundtrack for any movie or video game, which one would it be and why?
   I am a HUGE fan of the Destiny games. The story and visuals in those games ( especially the second one) really inspire me when it comes to developing intros for songs, and the sounds in that game are really fun to sample. Fun fact, both of my tunes, Sword Logic and Mythoclast, have destiny inspired names!

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in the music industry?
Make what you want to make! Don’t feel like you have to conform to making different styles of music to get numbers. Like I said before, making stuff that’s different from your norm is good practice and it helps you solidify your own style. The more stuff you make, the more you develop your sound.

In the world of free-form bass music where it seems like many artists come and go depending on how relevant they become within the space, one artist has continued to shine bright throughout the years. AG, an electronic bass artist from Boston, Massachusettes, continues to craft and blend the worlds between dubstep and smooth hip-hop. Today he unfolds what is bound to be another project that redefines and captures the essence of the evergrowing dubstep genre. The name of his new 3-track EP is titled ‘Seeking The Vibe’, which is now available on all platforms thanks to the collaboration with a respected record label, Circus Records.  Now it’s time to take a deep dive as to what makes today’s premiere what we like to call, a certified bop. 

“Crafting the ‘Seeking the Vibe’ EP was a deeply inspiring journey of self-discovery and creativity. Each song was a reflection of my mission to find inner peace and embrace  the various vibes in my life. Through lyrics and melodies, I explored different aspects of vibe, capturing moments of joy, introspection, and growth. It was a process that allowed me to express my emotions and connect with others through music, resonating with the universal pursuit of finding balance and authenticity in our lives” -AG

Cultivating a heavy hitting dubstep sound complete with bone crushing bass lines and gnarly synths, FRANTIK is back at it and better than ever as he unveils his new 3 track EP, “Cult of the Hand”. Serving as an introduction into his new sound, FRANTIK has truly captured the essence of his project within each of these tracks. Today, we have the absolute pleasure of premiering the title track, “Cult of the Hand” and boy, this track is a real treat. There is no doubt that we are going to hear their track being rinsed out across festival stages far and wide. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling the entire “Cult of the Hand” EP, a certified bop

I’m excited to share my new EP ‘Cult of the Hand’ via Cyclops Recordings. This EP represents some of my favorite songs from the past year, and I’m thrilled to unveil a new chapter of my sound and story through it. I hope you enjoy ‘Cult of the Hand’ as much as I do. -FRANTIK

Paving the way for his upcoming stomper of an interstellar EP, Cyber G has proven he is not here to mess around with. The release of the first track is finally here , the new EP is titled “Nuclear Attack” , it’s packed to the brim with grimey synths and downright nasty bass lines that users will not be able to get enough of. “Secret Weapon” has proven to be one of Cyber G’s freshest tracks to date, captivating listeners from the very first drop. There is a reason that the bass scene cannot get enough of this heavy-hitting artist who continuously is putting out some of the hottest music to date. If this is just the first track off his upcoming EP, we can only imagine what madness is to come with the rest of the release. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling this absolute banger, “Secret Weapon”, a certified bop.

Known for his unique storytelling soundscapes, complex beats, and overall stellar approach to bass music, Michal Mlot, better known to the EDM scene as MLOTIK has been transforming minds through music over and over. Today, he has teamed up with none other than UK rapper extraordinaire, Rivibes, to create a dubstep banger unlike any other. Drawing from traditional UK dubstep influences and highlighting Rivibe’s killer vocals, “Breakoff” is sure to enter the ears of any listener with its high-energy melody, strong triple kick pattern, and overall infectious tune. Mlotik never fails to disappoint in delivering the perfect combination of grimey bass drops and danceable rhythms that keep us coming back for more. Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling “Breakoff”, a certified bop

“BREAKOFF” is a tune that was constructed off of the triple kick pattern. It was started a couple years ago and evolved since then, with the second drop being solidified in the last couple months. It wasn’t until the vocals from Rivibes came in where it really gave the whole track a whole new meaning and vibe

-Mlotik 

1. What’s the strangest or most unexpected sound you’ve sampled in a track before?

MLOTIK: A couple years ago, I sampled a bunch of stuff from my bathroom. The metal vent grates, flush button, mirror opening and closing, water, etc. The flush button created this gnarly squeak, which I than ran through some processing and put it in a breakdown of “Pressin.” I will definitely go back through that pack after this question. 

2. How do you keep your sets fresh and exciting for both yourself and your audience? 

MLOTIK: The sets have a strong foundation that starts with what I want to play out of the MLOTIK discography. Then I start sprinkling in new stuff from fellow producers, some classics, and any tracks I’m feeling in the moment. I love throwing acapellas over tunes, doubling them up, and just having fun with it. It all varies based on set times, locations and what I want to curate as a vibe. 

3. How do you stay inspired as an artist and avoid creative blocks?

MLOTIK: Creative blocks tend to happen. To me, to fellow friends of mine. Finding fresh ways to start ideas in any art tends to be a good first move. Everyones different in their creative self but we all tend to become creatures of habit. I would say using a new synth, downloading new samples, trying a new processing chain, or maybe starting the song differently. These are all great ways to break that habit that might’ve been fueling your creative block. Break the cycle. 

4. If you could create a soundtrack for any movie or video game, which one would it be and why?

MLOTIK: Oh man, scoring games and movies is another crazy monster in itself. I would love a tune of mine to be featured in a future Grand Theft Auto. Such a legendary game and the music in that game fuels alot of the energy I got from it. But scoring a movie or a game, I would go with something like horror, or RPG’s. Something where sounds can go for minutes and they become part of the environment. 

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in the music industry?

MLOTIK: There’s been a ton of advice thrown my way. The one that always sticks out is being persistent, present, and consistent. Those three things are some of the best in this industry because it waits for no one. Time flies, things change but what should remain is those three elements in your life powering the career set forth.