- UK producers Murlo and Deadboy launched their new label, DBM Productions, with a collaborative two-tracker. The former is known for cheeky bashment edits and grime-laced club tracks; the latter hit it big with his 2010 anthem "If U Want Me," a slanted take on 2-step and funky. Deadboy has since found a home at Local Action, where he's released more relaxed, synth-heavy jams. The pair's first joint record features two distinctly British party tracks that unite their influences with style and a wicked sense of fun.
"Squeeze" is the deadliest of the two, a bubbly spin on bassline house and classic grime. There are currently countless producers looking to grime for inspiration, but where many of them drag the sound into the avant-garde, de-constructing it into oblivion, Deadboy and Murlo leave it largely intact. You can hear both producers digging into their wheelhouses for "Squeeze": the pitched-up dancehall chat and hyperactive MIDI flute is classic Murlo, while the sparkling synth textures evoke Deadboy's touch. It's an earworm with a weird edge, and it's sure to get rinsed wherever these shades of UK bass are welcome.
"Ride With U" goes for something similar. The melodic interplay is the best part, with a number of big synth lines dashing up and down the scale at once. It would be just as lethal as "Squeeze," if not for the mildly oppressive pitched-up vocals. Their presence is so high in the mix that when they lift for a few seconds it's a moment of respite. But "Ride With U" is still a charming track that gives dancers plenty to grab onto. Both cuts are a reminder to not be scared of bright and bold melodies, a lesson in how to use color effectively.
TracklistA Ride With U
B Squeeze