In modern bass music, listeners and tastemakers consistently find themselves chasing the next big track to blow audiences away. EDM.com’s The Heat Check is a series that highlights the hottest tracks and brightest artists to emerge from the bass, dubstep and freeform scenes.
“TALKIN BOUT” – MERSIV
For his first drop of 2021, Mersiv delivered a short yet nasty dubstep banger. “Talkin Bout” displays his ability to forge robust energy and experiences through his experimental sound.
“INSTINCT” – KUMARION
After eclipsing a million streams on his breakout track “Want It,” Kumarion has re-upped on the new year with his latest drum & bass-infused tune. “Instinct” flushes out his chaotic style and marks his debut with the legendary bass label UKF.
“HERETIC” – SPADES
Chicago’s Spades began his career as an artist known for frenetic energy through sound, but proved he is ready to showcase a heavier dub approach on “Heretic.” Released via Ganja White Night’s SubCarbon Records, “Heretic” delivers hard-hitting bass for its unsuspecting listeners.
“OUT NOW” – CHARLESTHEFIRST
“For Now”—the 2nd single off Charlesthefirst‘s upcoming Solus LP—showcases the producer’s music range and talent as a singer-wongwriter. Coupled with a music video that features Charles in and around his homes of Reno and Tahoe, the record is a transparent look inside the head of a young artist coping with heartbreak, the pandemic, and its wide-ranging effects.
“BOUNDLESS THOUGHT” – DREAM PUSHA
Born from the psychedelic sound design of Dream Pusha, “Boundless Thought” is the first release on the Oakland-based Wormhole Music Group this year. The track takes listeners into an eerie world of bass and synths while providing enough oomph to satisfy headbangers.
“DIVINITY” – ASADI & ADAM DEITCH
Viral electronic performer ASADI kicked off 2021 with this grungy collaboration with Break Science and Lettuce percussionist, Adam Deitch. While his past catalogue has often lived under a trap label, “Divinity” proves the producer’s sound is easily applicable to a wide variety of styles and sounds.
“MIXED SIGNALS” – BLACK CARL!
Alabama-bass artist Black Carl! is back with a brand new EP, Mixed Signals. Today’s titular single opens with exotic, chopped vocals, which guide the listeners into a dreamy soundscape.
“TARTARIAN NIGHTS” – FREDDY TODD
Glitch-funk brain-melter Freddy Todd is delighting fans with the sequel to his MOONFLAVOURS LP. Following the 2013 original, this record is meant to supply listeners with “self-eclipsing energy and momentous spiritual relaxation.”
“VIOLET SPACE” – TRIPZY LEARY
Culminating the end of Tripzy Leary‘s weekly release series, Project Rainbow, “Violet Space” is a low-end creation that will rattle eardrums. On this latest track, the producer inspires self-realization as well as hope for a more prosperous future.
“EPIPHANY” – FRQ NCY
Atlanta-based producer FRQ NCY opened his calendar year with a feature on Electric Hawk’s In Unity EP, which featured NotLö, Sky Suite, Muzzy Bear and more. “Epiphany” opens with a dramatic piano arrangement, which bleeds into searing synths before the listener is met with a glitchy future bass drop.
HONORABLE HEATERS:
“EMPATHY WILL SAVE US” – LAIKA BEATS
“AWAKE FT. CASHFORGOLD” – RAVENSCOON
“FTSU” – WRECKNO, JORDYNMOODY, UJUU
“CHAMPION SOUND” – MORILLO, PRZM
To submit music for The Heat Check, reach out to: franz@franzmp3.com.
