No strangers to rinsing it out on the decks and in the studio, the legendary duo known as Matrix and Futurebound continue to impress with their ability to chart a course that blurs the lines between club and festival anthems and straight-up underground burners. While 2018 was a stellar year in their long and storied career, 2019 is shaping up to be even bigger as the crew close in on the release of their next full-length album project, Mystery Machine.
Due for release on their combined Viper/ Metro Recordings imprint, the album builds on the legacy that each has crafted not only in solo mode but in the untouchable collaborative sound that they have been able to craft together.
With the latest single from the LP featuring songwriter Becky Hill and alt-pop vocalist Zelah contributing to the cause, the resulting “Got You There” offers a glimpse into the emotionally-driven vision that rides a fine line between the dark and the light. With the full album no doubt mining the same vein with guest songwriters and vocalists sprinkled throughout, we thought it would be a great opportunity to have them share and breakdown their favorite vocal-driven cuts currently burning up the dancefloors
The resulting list serves as the perfect playlist for the dark and gloomy spring that seems to have settled on the land, but one that offers up just the right hint of sunshine as the summertime festival season begins to rear its head on the horizon.
Check their selection below and be sure to pick up your copy of “Got You There” from Matrix and Futurebound here with the full-length Mystery Machine LP due to drop next month.
Culture Shock “Take Control”
“Yet again, Culture Shock set the benchmark for drum and bass production. The intro is built around a futuristic soulful synth and vocal combo and the drop is a precision crafted banger. Currently being heavily supported by drum & bass hierarchy, this is pure class.”
Matrix & Futurebound ft. Zelah “Got You There”
“Drum and bass is often very complicated but sometimes it’s best to keep things simple and let the vocal shine. That’s easier to do when you have a singer like Zelah, who absolutely smashed it here. We wrote it in the studio with Becky Hill, who we’ve always wanted to work with, and it was a LOT of fun. You can also find this song on our album, Mystery Machine, which comes out in April.”
Millbrook & Vorso ft. Mad Hed City “The Rise”
“New Viper signing Millbrook makes his Viper debut single alongside Trinidad’s Mad Hed City on vocals. Opening with subtle arps and lush pads, Mad Hed City shows the melodic side to his game and executes his vocal perfectly to match melodics of the intro before switching to a build and taking things fierce for the half-time drop. This one’s been dropping like a bomb on the dancefloor and will remain heavily in our sets for some time to come.”
Crissy Criss “Need You Now”
“Crissy delivered something very cool with this record and this has been a highlight of our set for some time. A proper feel good vibe from start to finish which hits the mark every time when you’re looking to add some lift to the mood of your set. Great production matched with a great vocal make this a winner.”
Shy FX ft. Lily Allen & Stamina MC “Roll The Dice”
“Such a great record from one of DnB’s godfathers: Shy FX. This would sit perfectly on the Pulp Fiction score and features another DnB stalwart, Stamina MC, alongside one of the best performances we’ve heard from Lily Allen. Shy’s production oozes class and this little number has not only been catching the ears of the DnB purists but music-lovers across all genres.”