Welcome to our monthly chart, where we identify and break down the top 15 bass music anthems.
April’s selection encompasses a ton of Lost Lands headliners and underground artists, reflecting experimental bass, wubs, dubstep, trap, riddim, and everything in between. Enter the realm of sonic experimentation as we shed light on various bass-powered anthems and their creators.
G-Rex, Sully, Wasiu – Smoke [WAKAAN]
Teaming up on their collaborative two-track EP, Entropy, G-Rex and Sully unleash a sonic powerhouse through WAKAAN. Packed with experimental sounds, the EP showcases their veteran expertise, primed to electrify festival stages.
Leading the charge is “Smoke,” a track that blends Waisu’s impeccable bars with punchy kicks and rumbling basslines. From its captivating intro to the explosive drops, “Smoke” mesmerizes, distorting vocals and unleashing energy that propels listeners into a euphoric frenzy.
Lizzy Jane – Where You Are [Dome of Doom Records]
Fueled by her passion for music, Lizzy Jane holds many titles, including vocalist, pianist, bassist, DJ, producer, and host The Lizzy Jane Podcast, which spotlights an array of professionals across music and entertainment, such as artists, composers, talent agents, managers, and more. While she has brought much attention to the scene and its individuals, Lizzy has proved to be an extremely talented artist herself.
The latest evidence of this is her seven-track album, Ignite, taking its audience on a journey through sonic experimentation, breathtaking vocals, and riveting basslines. “Where You Are” is definitely a standout on the compilation, packed with electrifying drum & bass that is primed for warehouse raves and festival crowds. Lizzy seamlessly weaves in her own chilling vocals throughout.
Saturna – Lume [Qualia]
Speaking of sonic experimentation, Saturna stays redefining the limits of production, especially in the realm of low-end bass music. His new EP, Cedar Grove, urges its audience to dive into the recesses of their minds, exploring into themselves and embarking on an adventure of self-discovery.
Every track on the five-song compilation is entirely unique and brings something different to the table, but “Lume” and “Rhûn” were the two that I was most drawn to. “Lume” introduces elements that feel natural yet distorted simultaneously, as if Saturna is pulling samples from the depths of the forest or rivers, then manipulating them into electronic sounds. It is an anthem that you can close your eyes and achieve a state of relaxation to.
Hairitage – Junket [WAKAAN]
Switching up the vibes, Hairitage’s five-track Revelry EP falls on the opposite end of the bass spectrum. “Junket” coerces you to plunge headfirst into a funkadelic universe of wubs, glitch hop, and heavy riddim. This melting pot is tough to master for 99% of producers but Hairitage knocks it out of the park, layering the track with hip-hop-esque vocal samples that are timed perfectly with the instrumental.
GorillaT, Xotix, Pure Powers – Ape Shit [MMXVAC]
One of the fastest rising artists in bass music, GorillaT has been absolutely on fire all of 2024. At this point, every week you expect him to slow down but he somehow manages to keep building momentum, consistently dropping heaters like “Native Curse” and “Kinetic Flavor.”
Of the few electrifying tracks he unveiled in May, “Ape Shit” has to be a fan-favorite. To start, the name of the tune is the optimal match for the level of energy it delivers, shell-shocking listeners with an irresistible culmination of dubstep, riddim, and trap on the drop. Joining forces with Xotix and Pure Powers, “Ape Shit” is primed to spark mosh pits and break rails.
MANSHN – Back & Forth [NCS]
Taking a step away from the heavy bangers, MANSHN’s “Back & Forth” brings us back to a nostalgic future bass sound while introducing modern era soundscapes and an overall innovative sound design. It is a great song to add to your gaming playlist, specifically for racing games, Fortnite, Mario Kart, and Rocket League.
Out now on NCS, also known as No Copyright Sounds, “Back & Forth” encompasses stellar vocals and a feel-good, fast-paced beat. The effects woven throughout this song are possibly the most alluring component of it, setting a dreamy atmosphere that makes you feel as if you have entered an alternate, digital-based reality.
Mersiv, Tape B, Juicy J – Trippy Land [Deadbeats]
Teaming up with hip-hop icon Juicy J, Mersiv and Tape B have unleashed “Trippy Land” on Deadbeats, marking a pivotal moment in their careers. This bass anthem lives up to its moniker, pushing the boundaries of sound design with hypnotic atmospheres and unpredictable twists, transporting its audience to Trippy Land in its mere opening seconds.
Juicy J’s distorted vocals add an intoxicating dimension, complementing the growling basslines crafted by these rising stars of the bass music scene. With this track, Tape B continues his legacy of nostalgic, hip-hop-inspired bangers, while Juicy J’s commanding presence solidifies “Trippy Land” as a standout in dance music collaborations.
INZO, LSDREAM – Faceplant On The Galaxy [Lowly]
The opening single in INZO’s reality-shattering EP, Visionquest, “Faceplant On The Galaxy” is evidence that whenever this innovative bass artist releases a new track, it is a sure sign of a bright day ahead. Visionquest as a whole is no exception, setting the tone for an exceptional musical journey.
Collaborating with LSDREAM on, “Faceplant On The Galaxy,” the EP immediately immerses listeners in a world of sonic exploration and trance-like vibrations. With its blend of heavy wubs and deep bass, this track, along with the other five on the compilation, invites you to open your third eye and embrace the hypnotic experience.
Mport – Insomnia [spicy bois]
Known for his outside-the-box sound design, rising bass DJ-producer hybrid Mport starts off “Insomnia” with a terrifyingly, entrancing buildup that will have you hooked. Inserting a robotic vocal of the word “insomnia” in all the right places, Mport makes you feel like you have not slept for days, and your auditory senses have gone off the rails in the best way imaginable. He drops a distorted collection of haunting wubs and chops, lulling you into the depths of underground bass music.
Noetika – Boomerang [SubCarbon]
Founded by Ganja White Night, experimental bass label SubCarbon is home to a broad spectrum of up-and-coming and established producers, each with their own distinct signature style. Following this trend is Noetika, inspired by the word Noetic, which means relating to mental activity or the intellect. Noetika is a universe that exists within your brain.
Hailing from Chicago and currently residing in Denver, this project just dropped its inaugural four-track EP on SubCarbon, Mind Control. Backed by typical insanely vibrant and exuberant GWN visual thematic, the cover art shares the same psychedelic properties as the EP’s first song, “Boomerang.” Take a listen and get bombarded with a tidal wave of wubs.
PEEKABOO, LYNY – Like That (Tape B Remix) [Self-Release]
PEEKABOO’s debut album, Eyes Wide Open, took the world of bass music by storm last year. Now the legendary artist has returned with friends to drop his official remix compilation for the LP. Consisting of five mind-bending flips, it features renditions from Jon Casey, Phrva, LYNY, borne, and Tape B, who transforms PEEKABOO’s collab with LYNY on “Like That,” into a grimy, bass-fueled banger. This remix cranks up the energy while adding in vocal echoes and progressions of Tape B-curated drops.
LSDREAM, GorillaT – LFG [Self-Release]
Both making their second appearance on May’s top bass tracks, LSDREAM and GorillaT sonically explain that they simply cannot be stopped from taking over bass music with their jointly producerd anthem, “LFG.” It is the perfect mixture of both their styles of bass music, a fusion of different components of dubstep, trap, and funk that will leave crowds in utter disbelief.
Just like the mesmerizing cover artwork for the five-track LSDREAM EP, HEARTWAVE, that “LFG” is a piece of, the song radiates a euphoric wave of energy. Another must-listen on the EP is “OPERATE” with Elephant Heart, while artists like Xotix and Ruby Chase make appearances on other songs from this brain-expanding project.
Rezz – EDGE (2024 Version) [mau5trap]
The queen of hypnotic bass music is back and more sinister than ever, pouring lighter fluid into the forest fire of low-end enveloping heater that is “EDGE.” She revisits this original hit with a 2024 version that will make your spine tingle and send an icy, invigorating sensation throughout your body. As expected from a mystifying Rezz release, “EDGE (2024 Version)” is accompanied by a visualizer that refuses to let you avert your gaze from it until the play again symbol pops up.
Deathpact – FATE [Self-Release]
Showered in anonymity, Deathpact has harnessed the ability to deliver sonic nightmares to his fans, yet they somehow leave you always wanting more. His 14-track album, FROM DARKNESS, is an extended nightmare, as one horrifyingly thrilling tune leaches onto the next. Among these songs, “Song 4” and “Back To The Shadows” are the most enticing to me, with the exception of “FATE.”
“FATE” unravels the deepest and darkest desires for bass, urging you to throw your head through a wall or sprint into a mosh pit full of DIESELs. The way Deathpact ties the lyrics “I sold my soul…” into this track is fascinating and impressive.
Opiuo, Ashez – Underground [Slurp Music]
Closing out our top picks from May’s releases, the lead single from Opiuo and Ashez’s upcoming collaborative EP, “Underground” starts with a mystical melody that gradually builds into captivating leads, transitioning seamlessly into intricate bass drops. Enhanced by the vocal phrase “this is the wave of the underground,” the track reaches its climax with a dynamic shift into an intricate call-and-response segment, gripping listeners in oscillating bass hits.
CLICK TO CHECK OUT APRIL’S TOP TRACKS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS AND LABELS BEHIND THEM
Playlist photo courtesy of Jake West (@jakewestphoto on Instagram)
Raised in upstate New York, I was always a big fan of music but never really listened to electronic music. Within the first month of attending Florida State University and meeting some new friends, I was introduced to the rave scene. After seeing Ekali at my first show, I was instantly hooked. Since then, I have dived into every subgenre of electronic music, picked up DJing, and mixed for clubs and different entertainment events in Tallahassee. Once graduating with degrees in marketing and hospitality, I was hired for a sales position. However, I recently decided to leave my sales job to pursue my dream of working in the music industry. Currently, I run Magnetic Magazine's Melodic Techno Charts, along with my role as a PR and marketing specialist for different artists and labels. Some of my favorite artists are REZZ, Kyle Watson, TOBEHONEST, San Pacho, Josh Baker, HUGEL, ARTBAT, Vintage Culture, Ganja White Night, CamelPhat, Green Velvet, Jungle, Milky Chance, Paco Versailles, Franc Moody, and RÜFUS DU SOL. My favorite festivals are Hulaween (by far), EDC Orlando, and all the different venues during Miami Music Week. Outside of music, I love sports (especially hockey, soccer, tennis, basketball, and spike ball), going to the movies, working out, sushi, Chick-fil-A, food in general, and hanging with my dog Maui and my cat Loki. Feel free to reach out to me via my email or on IG, I love expanding my network of friends and business opportunities!