It’s almost spring and the world is waking from its winter chill and the inboxes have been warming up with a whole new crop of new drum and bass. One of the releases shaping up to have an impact is the Redemption EP from XTM making its way to you via Flex Industries this May. Over the last year, Flex Industries has been making some serious noise again with its two monstrous LP’s ‘Back In The Jungle’ and ‘Altered States’ and a handful of singles as well along the way. Next up for them is the FLEX debut for London’s XTM (Xistence Through Music). With the storming tune ‘Retribute’ on the upcoming “The Final Chapter” LP from Renegade Hardware, his “Time” EP on Future Funk Music, and this EP on FLEX, XTM is having a rather good year.
On this EP, the top track for me is ‘Cubes’. This is just 100% solid drum and bass. It’s drenched in equal parts tech and funk. It has grit and drive but isn’t overbearing or heavy handed. It’s perfect dance floor music, but not in any sense that dates it or pigeonholes it into any subgenre. It’s just straight up, no pretense, well rounded, funky, tech-heavy drum and bass music. The other three offerings on this EP are just as solid and bring their own flavor to the party. The title track is a funky roller with some great edits that grows on me more and more as I listen to the subtle bits and bobs that may get missed on first listen but show a real depth in understanding of the music on more listens. ‘Teardrop’ gives an alternative take on halftime breaks and creating spaces with drums and pads. ‘Vacant’ rolls out deep and techy with some moody pads and strings layered in for movement and mood. Both XTM and Flex should be excited about this release and so should you! This is out early May so mark your calendars and get ready for some serious funk in your sets this spring!
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