There’s a difference between writing music about an experience and finding someone who understands that experience firsthand. Electronic music producers often collaborate because their styles complement each other, but sometimes the connection becomes something far more personal. HD-4884 and Gracie Van Brunt discovered that while writing together, when they learned they had separately survived life-threatening medical emergencies related to congenital blood conditions.
That shared experience became the foundation of “Adrenaline,” their new drum and bass collaboration released October 30 through Ctrl: Database Research. The track pairs Gracie’s melodic vocals with HD’s darker neurofunk production, using detailed rhythmic programming, heavy low-frequency processing, and a transition into halftime near the end.
Rather than describing their medical experiences literally, the artists focused on the physical sensations of fear, urgency, and survival, where the release also continues a subject HD-4884 has explored throughout his recent work.
His 2025 Life, Death, Birth trilogy developed following his own near-death experience, while his collaboration with XLVR, “Red Eye Tourniquet,” explored emotional overload and survival. “Adrenaline” extends those concerns through a collaboration with another artist who has experienced a similarly serious medical emergency.
How “Adrenaline” Combines Melodic Vocals and Neurofunk
Gracie Van Brunt brings considerable experience to the collaboration, having worked with Kanine, Culture Shock, Original Sin & Sub Zero, Murdock, and Kings Of The Rollers. Her releases have appeared through Monstercat, UKF, Bassrush, Liquicity, and other established electronic music platforms, while her performances include Lost Lands, EDC Las Vegas, and tours with REAPER and SIPPY.
HD-4884 approaches drum and bass through influences including alternative rock, IDM, neurofunk, and experimental bass. His production emphasizes detailed rhythmic programming and distorted synthesis, with the arrangement of “Adrenaline” allowing Gracie’s vocals to remain prominent alongside the heavier instrumental sections.
The combination raises an interesting production consideration we’ve explored in our How It Was Made feature with Finalfix. Aggressive bass design and melodic writing require careful arrangement, particularly when several instruments occupy overlapping frequency ranges. On “Adrenaline,” those contrasting elements also support the artists’ intention to communicate urgency through the music.
From Rampage Open Air to the Official Music Video
The collaboration received its first public performance at Rampage Open Air Belgium, where HD-4884 joined Gracie as a surprise guest during her Dome Stage set.
Later that weekend, HD also performed during the VISION Recordings takeover after Murdock learned he was attending the festival and arranged for him to join the lineup. He appeared ahead of Thys of Noisia.
The release is accompanied by an original music video filmed on a Los Angeles soundstage and created by HD-4884. The video shows Gracie waking up in an unfamiliar, disorienting environment, extending the recording’s medical themes into its visual presentation. That involvement reflects HD’s broader work as a filmmaker and visual artist, including directing, editing, and creating CGI for his music projects.
“Adrenaline” also follows HD’s IMPACT guest mix on Insomniac Radio during EDC Week, with his official remix of Murdock and Émilie Rachel’s “Living In The Moment” scheduled for November 9 through Monstercat and Rampage Recordings.
What interests me about this collaboration is how its personal origins inform the music without requiring the artists to explain their experiences through literal storytelling. Their shared history provides context for the production and accompanying video, while their different musical backgrounds determine how those ideas are presented.
“Adrenaline” is available now through Ctrl: Database Research. Listen on Spotify or watch the official music video on YouTube.
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