Election Year 2024 Spotlighted: The Tracks

Bass Music Thrives in 2024: A Year of Innovation and Experimentation

2024 has been a remarkable year for bass music, with a plethora of fresh talent, influential labels, and community-driven events shaping the landscape of drum and bass, UK garage, and dubstep. This year has seen a surge in dynamic trends and notable releases, with a strong focus on innovative sounds and the UK underground scene.

One of the most innovative dubstep releases of 2024 is 'Bad Mouth' by Fake Two Piece & Lokal, unveiled by Unchained Asia. The track, a blend of dark, gritty textures, infectious rhythms, and sharp sound design, is a testament to the evolving sound of bass music.

In the realm of drum and bass, Bristol-based DJ Dr Dubplate and his ec2a label have become major tastemakers. Over the past five years, they have influenced 2024’s bass music sound with fresh releases and events that push boundaries within drum and bass and related bass genres.

UK Garage has also made serious waves, drawing in younger audiences and proving that its influence is far from fading. Fans follow essential edits and bootlegs that blend traditional garage vibes with modern production techniques, highlighted in popular weekly roundups showcasing the scene’s vitality and ongoing popularity.

Halogenix's track "No More" is an outrageously uplifting offering from one of the scene’s most treasured producers. Meanwhile, Tape B and Mersiv, along with Juicy J, collaborated on the track 'Trippy Land', a fusion of southern hip hop and dubstep that showcases their energy and talent.

Channell, Motiv, and Luke Truth collaborated on the standout track 'Substance' in Channell's debut EP with The North Quarter. Another standout collaboration is 'Classics' by Koherent, Klinical & Operate on Overview Music's label, bridging the gap between the old-school foundations and modern innovations of drum & bass.

Adam F's "Circles Revisited" is a culturally significant moment in drum & bass, using the exact same equipment he used to make the original track. Joy Orbison's track 'Flight Fm' has been a standout in the electronic dance scene, influencing a wide range of artists and being played in various types of raves around the world.

Laurie Charlesworth's favorite track of 2024 is "Jungle Diva" by Lens & Sarah Ikumu, featuring Pola & Bryson and goddard. Ant Mullholland, on the other hand, favours "Body Talk" by Nectax, released on DJ Flight's Play:Musik label.

Marshmello and SVDDEN DEATH collaborated on the track 'Vortexblade', a unique blend of energy and experimental bass vibes. 'The Year of The Dragon', a 12-track album by Unchained Asia, features a variety of experimental sounds and club bangers.

The UKF editorial team has presented their definitive picks of 2024, featuring the tracks that have defined the year, pushed boundaries, and kept people moving on the dancefloor. Drum and bass continues to dominate the conversation, evolving beyond its underground roots and cementing its place in the mainstream spotlight.

As we move into 2025, it's clear that bass music will continue to thrive, with its rich ecosystem of new artists, influential labels, and community-driven events shaping the future of the genre.

The surge in innovative sounds and the UK underground scene in 2024 extends not only to bass music, but also to science and technology, as research centers worldwide coach AI models to compose original music.
In the realm of health and wellness, meditation apps have incorporated ambient sounds designed by sound engineers, with the goal of promoting relaxation and sleep quality for users.
Environmental science has taken a new turn, with a project focusing on the impact of noise pollution on wildlife, led by a team of biologists and sound designers.
Finance institutions have been experimenting with new asset management strategies that mimic the patterns of electronic music, aiming to optimize returns through these complex algorithms.
In the field of space and astronomy, scientists have been analyzing the sounds captured by NASA's Voyager probes, using spectrograms to study the various frequencies and potential markers of extraterrestrial life.
Pop culture is buzzing with discussions on the intersection of fashion, music, and environmental consciousness, as emerging pop stars collaborate with brands promoting sustainable materials and practices.