Heard It Here First

Criso is on FIRE, with a new 140 single “Punch” that is sure to grace dancefloors across the experimental bass scene. The North Carolina-based producer formerly known as TYLR has been on a tear, with his Foolery EP and Wubaholics release “Threat” last year, a release on Veil‘s Street Ritual compilation earlier this year, and IDs galore (trust me, I have the dubplates). At HeardItHereFirst.blog, we love covering the most talented artists who are emerging in the underground. While Criso has been on our radar for a bit now, we are along for the ride as he inevitably explodes onto the scene. Let’s talk about this release.

A dark, ambient intro sets the stage for “Punch.” This is a no-nonsense set weapon, and Criso uses hats and FX to quickly build energy. The chorus absolutely stomps. A fat bass on the downbeat is followed by what might be the most perfect deep wub section of the year so far. Groovy percussion, punchy kicks, snappy snares, and masterful use of FX and vocal phrases combine to create a shoo-in for any respectable dubstep DJ’s arsenal.

Variation is tasteful, keeping the groove while adding new elements over time to keep things fresh. The midsection is dark and ambient, allowing a DJ to get creative while also providing an enjoyable listening experience outside of the venue. The second chorus switches up the speed of the basses while remaining cohesive in its sonic palette. The outro strips down the chorus, with just the sub-bass, drums, and effects remaining. This is very useful for DJs as they transition to the next tune.

One thing that always blows my mind about Criso is how consistent he is, both with his arrangements and with his mixdowns. In other words, every element in a Criso track feels like it’s in the right place within the song, but also within the acoustic space the song provides. I know we’ll continue to see amazing tracks from this versatile producer, he excels at 140, but also at garage and liquid D&B, and we’ll continue to keep a close eye on his growth within the scene.

What did you think of “Punch” from Criso? Let us know what you think in the comments and on our socials, and again, be sure to support Criso on his!

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