Heard It Here First

Christmas may still be a couple of weeks away, but it looks like riddim lovers landed themselves on the nice list this year as the malicious UK maestro, MVRDA, gifts dubstep aficionados his new four-track EP through DPMO, rightfully titled THE RETURN, after his three-year hiatus. This EP not only embodies the signature sound design that first enthralled us when MVRDA commanded the scene but also signifies a new and explosive chapter for the MVRDA project, ensuring to excite fans for what is to come. 

Tommy Lee Ray, aka MVRDA, first entered the electronic production arena back in 2015, and within a few short years, earned his stripes widely becoming recognized as one of the heaviest hitters in the game. His impeccable track record speaks almost as loudly as his wicked sound play.  Before his hiatus, MVRDA rattled the bass music scene to its core, leaving the world with his catalog of sub-shattering releases and walloping collaborations with legendary artists such as Subtronics, SVDDEN DEATH, Midnight Tyranasorous, and Samplifire. Besides his destructive releases, MVRDA is known for delivering heart-pounding performances, having graced festivals around the globe from Lost Lands to Rampage in Belgium and ANIMALZ in Paris. At this year’s most recent Rampage Open Air, MVRDA was joined by Samplifire for a ground-breaking return performance accompanied by the official announcement that he is here to stay and back for good.

The first track, “RATTLEGUN”, opens THE RETURN EP with a gruesome flare providing everything we’ve missed from MVRDA’s production style and more. The opening piece enlists the forefather of chopping, Shiverz, borrowing his captivating vocal presence to perfectly counterbalance the rhythmic bassline. Together the pair fuse their shared mastery of minimalistic dubstep with the iconic stylings of UK drill music to construct this finger-gun-worthy ensemble. 

MVRDA unleashes the most noxious composition skills in his wheelhouse to craft “HEFT”, the diabolical preceding piece on THE RETURN EP. Incorporating a wide array of boundary-pushing distorted sounds, MVRDA turns minimalistic bass into an intricate web of pulsating dubious sound design. 

“RIOOT”  intertwines two opposite spectrums of electronic music production by mutually tapping into an ethereal harmony whilst building upon the dynamic choppy rhythm. MVRDA simultaneously manipulates a haunting melodic harmony with perfectly placed high-hat snares drawing listeners into the ghostly musical atmosphere before blending into the hard-hitting syncopated beats. The two sides coexist harmoniously throughout the track, shining both together and apart helping boost the sonic experience. 

The final track, “THE RETURN,” shares not only the EP’s name but exemplifies the mold-breaking nature of the entire project. MVRDA once again illustrates the depths of his production prowess proving minimalistic bass can be anything but ‘minimalistic.’

With MVRDA back on the electronic playing field all eyes and ears are on him as we collectively bask in the newest chapter of his sonic odyssey. Here’s a few words from MVRDA himself about his new EP, THE RETURN:

“The Return EP marks the start of a new chapter of the MVRDA project! After a 3-year hiatus and on the verge of leaving this permanently behind me, through the motivational support from my peers I’ve made the decision that I am not yet finished.” – MVRDA.

Let us know in the comments below if you’re as excited about this new chapter of the MVRDA project as we are! Which track from THE RETURN was your favorite?

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