Heard It Here First

When we look back at 2023, there’s a good chance that July is going to stand out as the most stacked month for drum & bass. This month truly had everything and then some — albums, highly-anticipated anthems, compilations, you name it. Check out our top five drum & bass tracks from July below and let us know if there is one that really stood out to you!

1. Chase & Status, Bou – Baddadan (feat. IRAH, Flowdan, Trigga & Takura)

The wait is finally over! One of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year in electronic music arrived in July, featuring legendary duo Chase & Status and the producer Bou, a name that has been landing on the radars of DnB enthusiasts more and more over the last few years. “Baddadan” is certainly in the running for song of the Summer, featuring catchy lyrics from IRAH, Flowdan, Trigga and Takura. Chase & Status recently completed their latest run of shows in North America for the summer with performances at Zeds Dead’s annual Deadrocks event, Forbidden Kingdom (which included both a solo set and a b2b with Zeds Dead), Shambhala Music Festival, and several club stops around the United States. U.S.-based DnB lovers will have an opportunity to hear this track and several more bangers during Bou’s US debut this October at Submersion Festival in New Jersey. Let us know if you are going to be at this set!

2. KOVEN – Chase The Sun

Speaking of legendary duos, we were blessed with yet another powerful anthem from London-based KOVEN. Out on UKF, “Chase The Sun” is an uplifting banger that will get you up out of your seat immediately. The duo comprised of Matt Rowat and Katie Boyle have been putting out timeless hits for years on labels like Monstercat, Circus Records, Viper Recordings, UKF, and more. For those that want to deep dive into their discography, we recommend starting with their Reality Reach EP as well as their album, Butterfly Effect. 

3. DJ Marky, Javeon – Dance Again

We’re keeping the theme of “legends” rolling with a collaboration between DJ Marky and vocalist Javeon. “Dance Again” is a feel-good track that gives you the freedom to move your body however you want to. This is liquid drum & bass perfection with engaging bass lines, incredible percussive elements, and several live instruments incorporated. This track was included on DJ Marky’s stacked The Time Is Right album, which came out on Shogun Audio. This album showcased the wide range of the legendary Brazilian producer, including several collaborations with names like Pola & Bryson, Makoto, SOLAH, Charli Brix, and more. DJ Marky has also been going viral for his live DJing performances that include some unbelievable scratching. Check out this clip to see what we’re talking about!

4. Synergy – Freedom (feat. What So Not)

Next up we have another collaboration featuring a name that has been a staple in electronic music over the last decade. What So Not teamed up with Russian duo Synergy to bring fans “Freedom”, out on UKF. Both artists’ styles are on full display in this track, adding both dark and ethereal elements that create a dance floor anthem. The dreamy vocals and build-up set us up for an epic, heavier drop highlighted by an insane reese bass. These days, everyone loves a good snare and this track definitely checks the box in that department – one of our favorites in recent memory. For those looking to take deeper dive into Synergy, check out their recent guest mix they did for Fred V.

5. Danny Byrd – Let U Know (feat. Charlotte Plank)

Rounding out July’s Top 5 Drum & Bass showcase is a beautiful collaboration from Danny Byrd and vocalist Charlotte Plank. Out now on Black Butter Records, “Let U Know” is yet another feel-good track that has the ability to turn your day around. Normally a staple on Hospital Records, Danny Byrd hit us with a really cool switch-up in the drum pattern about a third of the way through this track. Elements of liquid, jungle, and more can be heard throughout this one, making it one of the cooler tracks we’ve been fortunate to cover here on the blog. Danny actually joined fellow hit-makers Fred V and Whiney on the Hospitality North American Tour earlier this year, which made a number of stops in the US and Canada throughout March. Let us know in the comments if you caught this tour!

Which was your favorite of the five bangers spotlighted? Let us know down below in the comments and be sure to let us know your favorite tracks from any subgenre from the past month on our socials.

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