- Proximity Alert by Aural Imbalance
In 1999, liquid funk, the drum and bass subgenre that slowly replaced its atmospheric predecessor, was beginning to take over the scene. Tracks like this bridged the gap between atmospheric drum and bass, which is heavily featured in this playlist, and the liquid funk uprising. Liquid funk tracks, unlike atmospheric drum and bass, are smoother and more polished; easier to listen to. This means that this track has a calm, smooth, and easy feeling to it, making it a good opener; It’s slow, but it’s still exciting and interesting, with a unique soundscape. This song stood out to me for its opening, that felt like a perfect calm introduction to the playlist, and the masterful production of the song as a whole.
- Twilight Voyage by LTJ Bukem
No atmospheric drum and bass playlist is complete without a handful of LTJ Bukem songs. He was a pioneer of the subgenre during the 80s and 90s, and heavily influenced the atmospheric soundscapes of drum and bass. Twilight Voyage in particular drove atmospheric drum and bass to a more sci-fi, technological sound while staying smooth and airy. I selected it because it’s slow, smooth, and produced brilliantly. A good warm-up song for the beginning of the playlist.
- Senses by DJ Addiction
This is another track with interesting drum breaks and a very unique and natural soundscape, fitting it perfectly within atmospheric drum and bass. Its use of reversed whooshes throughout the track helped in pushing drum and bass to a more experimental sound during the 2010s. I chose it for its unique swooning, reflective sound and its natural ambience. Also, its repetitive spoken word element could work well to amp up a crowd. It uses a bizarre mix of instrumentals that work together well and create an incredible track.
- Music Box by Roni Size
As drum and bass grows into a belle epoque era, this track pioneers the groundwork of the genre. Vocal sampling and energetic drum breaks over a calm, gentle and sparse instrumental background places this as one of the original drum and bass tracks. I selected it for its historical importance and unique sampling choices. I decided to place it after Senses because it also includes a lot of sampled vocals, creating a smoother transition, but it’s also more dynamic and sporadic, ramping up energy.
- Inner City Life by Goldie
As drum and bass slowly moves into the mainstream, it’s tracks like this that lead the charge. Its attention to details in various parts of the track to emphasize dynamics and breaks is powerful, and the little pieces all coalesce and fit in place perfectly. It has a heavy and fluid vocal part, which compliments the harsh and booming drum breaks and bass perfectly, and the eerie background drones create a haunting atmosphere. This all places it within the atmospheric drum and bass category. The vocals mix well with the soundscape, creating a one of a kind feeling that’s perfect for bringing up energy.
- Cold Fresh Air by Higher Sense
Like Inner City Life, this track also accentuates interesting soundscapes and dynamics during the beginning of the drum and bass belle epoque. It cuts and experiments with drum breaks, and its sparse background instrumentals only compliment the energetic drums. Its more atmospheric reprises, especially in the beginning with the sample of flowing water, create a soundscape that fits it within the atmospheric subgenre of drum and bass. It also uses haunting vocals that start as natural before being stretched and distorted, creating an instantly exciting and outstanding sound. Its similarities to Inner City Life explain why I placed it in this spot, and its choppy and energetic drums make it even more exhilarating than its counterpart.
- Demons Theme Part II by LTJ Bukem
As another LTJ Bukem classic, Demons Theme Part II fits perfectly within the subgenre. Like his other tracks, Bukem pioneers a smooth, less aggressive version of drum and bass that’s more focused on atmosphere, defining the subgenre. While less haunting than the previous two songs, it still holds a place as a classic drum and bass track. I placed it at this point in the playlist because it’s an extremely energetic, exciting song that would be perfect over a chase sequence, transitioning out of more haunting sounds and into higher energy music. I selected this track because it’s a classic, well-produced and high-energy song.
- Brazil Calling by Rowpieces
Brazil Calling fits as a drum and bass song because of its focus on production and the creation of soundscapes. While less atmospheric than the previous tracks, it’s a powerful song that works well near the ending of the playlist because of its smooth vocal elements and powerful crescendos. It’s a very amped-up song, and it plays the important role of keeping the drum and bass scene alive in the 21st century. It’s dynamic, exhilarating, and upbeat, the most exciting song of the night. I decided not to put this song at the very end because I wanted to use calmer but still interesting songs for closure, like an epilogue after the big finale.
- Atlantis (I Need You) by LTJ Bukem
Atlantis works to encapsulate all of the various elements of atmospheric drum and bass. It’s multi-layered and experiments with a variety of interesting sounds and samples, like the robotic backing melody used throughout the beginning of the track and the echoing, glistening vocals, both of which only compliment the volatile and fluctuating drums. Also produced during the belle epoque of atmospheric drum and bass, it helps drive the evolution of the subgenre forward. I chose to put it here not only because of its exciting nature, but also because it works well as a counterbalance to the previous track, which isn’t as focused on atmosphere or experimentation. I chose this track and chose to put it here because it’s one of the best I’ve listened to, everything compliments each other and builds an incredible soundscape.
- Music by LTJ Bukem
Music by LTJ Bukem is, in my opinion, the first defining atmospheric drum and bass track. It carries the foundations of the subgenre and solidifies the atmospheric element of rave culture; It’s exciting, experimental and focuses on layered production to create a unique experience. This song marks the dawn of atmospheric drum and bass music, which explains part of the reason I want to end the playlist with it. On top of that, it has the perfect energy level for an ending after a crescendo; It creates calming closure while still leaving room for dancing. This track stood out to me not only because of what it did for the subgenre but also because of its dynamics and experimentation.
Sensational article. Simultaneously elegant in both its texture and concision.
Yassss! Welcome to Pigeon press Kian. You are a terrific edition to an already terrific crew. Will be listening to this album on my way to and from class and considering your insights.