“With my second Shogun installment I'm bringing something slightly dirtier but still soulful. I wanted to have more ammo for the dance floor but in keeping with the musical elements I produce, bringing meaningful ex- pression as well as utilising my heavier influences” - Ed:It
GLXY’s debut album Research & Development is the culmination of years of sonic enhancement and experimentation. A fusion of electronic elements and soulful soundscapes, the album marks the next chapter in the GLXY story.
Distant, cascading arpeggios over heart-like pulsations set the tone in ruminating intro ‘Hypothesis’, which seamlessly flows into title track ‘Research & Development’. As elements slowly combine, the track builds into an energetic rolling beat that’s unlike anything previously heard from the duo before. ‘Conclusions’ follows, featuring a soulful piano hook and wistful vocals from Irish talisman Steo. Rasping strings and techy percussion come together in introspective ‘Falling’, the cold, distant voices creating a particularly eerie atmosphere.
A short, modulating arpeggio prelude makes way for lead single ‘She Sings For Me’ featuring Manchester’s DRS. Melancholic chords and a rolling jungle beat merge with his deeply pensive vocals to create a match made in GLXY. Showcasing their moodier liquid sound, ‘Changed Forever’ features a captivating vocal hook and brooding synth stabs. ‘LP Track’ flips the script – a cameo appearance from Friction reminiscent of his past Radio 1 days leads into a boppy garage beat full of funk.
Submotion Orchestra’s frontwoman Ruby Wood is the star of the show in ‘Abstraction’, her sentimental vocals soar over GLXY’s trademark undulating bassline and airy atmospherics. Citing inspiration from garage, electro and breakbeat, ‘Crescent’ is a nod to the duo’s influences - Burial-esque percussion over building pads and warm bass. Canadian Anastasia lends her vocal talents on ‘It’s Not Love’, an analogue bassline interweaving in between a rippling synth motif and her contemplative lyrics.
The darkest undertaking on the album, ‘Fourth State’ showcases GLXY’s masterful technical ability in the studio. Their hallmark synth pads lead into a bouncing, modulating bassline that’s sure to light up a dancefloor. Playful breakbeat interlude ‘Rapture’ captures a moment from Shogun Audio’s epic 2017 Christmas party at Phonox, with the album concluding on ‘Anatomy’, a 6 minute journey from start to finish… watch out for that 2nd drop!
Shogun Audio proudly presents Monrroe – Vol. 1, a limited edition collector’s item containing four of Monrroe’s biggest Drum & Bass hits released on the label over the past few years. Fan favourites such as ‘Out Of Time ft. Zara Kershaw’ and ‘Never Too Old ft. Emily Makis’ feature on black eco-vinyl and sleeve produced using 100% recycled materials.
a1. Out Of Time Ft. Zara Kershaw, a2. Never Too Old Ft. Emily Makis b1. You Got Me Ft. Alexa Harley b2. Everywhere I go
2021 sees the release of the long-awaited third album from Pola & Bryson - ‘Beneath the Surface’. Since their debut release in 2015, Pola & Bryson have transitioned from the exciting ones to watch to the unquestionable leaders of new school liquid drum and bass, grabbing the attention of the scene's greats in the process.
“Masterful production and musicality throughout, I love that the album has been made just as much for the home listener as for the clubs. For me, these guys are leading the new wave of liquid drum & bass.” Sub Focus
As digital streaming services continue to dominate as the primary source of music consumption, the wildly contested ‘death of the album’ debate continues to burn throughout the industry. To counteract the current trend of single tracks and playlist placements, Pola & Bryson wanted to experiment with a concept album.
“We envisioned a landscape to act as inspiration to us whilst writing this album. The landscape is made up of 4 distinct sections, each representing a different emotional state. The first being Shinrinyoku (a Japanese term for forest bathing), represented by a dense, peaceful forest environment. Mangata (loosely translates to moon river) takes you to the edges of a cold, misty lake which eventually leads you to Toska, representing a dark and endless cave. All transpiring with Yuugen, a vast and epic mountain range. The album, paired with bespoke animated visuals, paints the perfect reflection of the journey.” - Pola & Bryson
‘Beneath the Surface’ features collaborations with the drum and bass scene's hottest vocal talents, with each being selected to effortlessly meld with the respective soundscapes. After previously working with both Lauren Archer and Ruth Royall with beguiling success, Pola & Bryson knew that they wanted to send some ideas to both artists. This resulted in the creation of two beautifully blissful tracks ‘Under’ and ‘Friend’, which became the first two singles to be released from the album. While Solah and Kojo were specifically picked with their tracks in mind, Manchester favourite Strategy’s appearance on the release was an altogether more organic stroke of serendipity. The duo were unsure whether 'Anaesthetist' was going to make the cut as an instrumental, and were floating the idea of working with a vocalist when Strategy messaged them seemingly out of the blue. They knew in an instant that his sound was the perfect fit for the track.
Over the last five years, Pola & Bryson have steadily ascended from promising newcomers to well-respected leaders of the next liquid generation. The London based pair’s production credentials are now so well-respected that they have recently been commissioned for huge remix projects for Sub Focus x Wilkinson and Camo & Krooked and released a collaborative EP with Brazil’s legendary DJ Marky. Since their debut album ‘This Time Last Year’ on Soulvent Records and then 2018’s award-nominated Shogun Audio LP “Lost in Thought'', punters and peers have been on tenterhooks, anticipating what the duo would bring to the plate next. Effortlessly living up to its hype, anyone who journeys through the ever-changing soundscapes of ‘Beneath the Surface’ will be immersed into a new world of sonic expression.
Having signed exclusively with Shogun earlier in the year, Prolix follows up his ‘Nature Of Reality’ release with the almighty sounds of the ‘Danger EP’. With an array of typically twisted beats on show including one of Friction’s most rewound tunes of the moment ‘Danger’, through to one of the most heinous collaborations this year with Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Prolix continues to fly his flag proud from the sanctuary of the Shogun stable.
“I'm excited to finally be putting out my debut 'Danger' EP on Shogun Audio! It's a 4 track release including vocals from from Ben Verse on 'Threshold' and a collaboration of triplet mayhem with Drumsound and Bassline Smith on 'Planet Smasher'. All four tracks have been designed with both dance floor destruction and the casual easy listener in mind! Hopefully there will be something on here for everyone, especially if you like your drum and bass dark and techy.” Prolix 2016.
a1. Danger
a2. We Do Our Thing
b1. Vs Drumsound & Bassline Smith - Planet Smasher
There’s no doubt that Tom Rockwell’s debut album ‘Obsolete Medium’ last year was a huge breath of fresh air for electronic music. Making its way into Billboard’s top 10 LP’s of 2015 and receiving enormous support from the likes of Zane Lowe, Friction, Mistajam, Annie Mac, UKF, Mixmag and many more, Rockwell’s long playing take on modern day drum & bass left an indelible mark. Now we ready ourselves for the first official new music from the Rockwell camp since then as he introduces the ‘Cho- rus Of Disapproval EP’, another telling title preparing us for Tom’s lurid, uncompromising trademark production inside. Described by DJ Mag as the ‘punky junglist’, there’s no doubt that the Rockwell’s subversive styles and unchallenged ingenuity are still burning brightly as ever. Long may it continue.
a1. Hoez to the Floor
a2. Pulse OSX b1. Chorus of Disapproval b2. Out of Vogue
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