Crawdad Sniper Lets Collaboration Lead On His New EP Crustacean Station

The rise of crawdad sniper has been inspiring. Years of groundwork in the D.C./Baltimore underground, a meticulous ear for rhythm, and a refusal to chase trends have quietly positioned him as one of the most compelling voices in the experimental bass world right now. His newest release, Crustacean Station, offers a clear snapshot of his sound, rooted in collaborative energy, chaos, and low-end sound design built for impact.

At a young age, Zac Kassay (crawdad sniper) developed a deep interest in music, taking drum lessons for several years and playing in band before electronic music ever crossed his radar. Things began to take shape in 2015 when Zac picked up Ableton and realized he could function as a one-man band, inspired by the studio-driven model of Gorillaz. By 2020, he had fully honed in on his sound, and what started in the studio has since found its footing on stage.

crawdad sniper has been making his way onto some seriously heavy-hitting lineups. Opening the Orion Amphitheater in Alabama for Tipper marked a major milestone. It was something he’s been working towards since the early days of committing fully to his craft.

Throughout 2025, crawdad sniper could be found on lineups such as Secret Dreams, Submersion, Infrasound, Sound Haven, and more. Rather than slowing down after his breakout year, he’s carrying that momentum straight into 2026. February alone includes a Tribal Roots Collective warehouse event in Kansas alongside Medicine Place, a Two Guys (crawdad sniper + Chez) show in Denver, and a Boston stop with Daggz, followed by Camp Kouch in April.

Collaboration sits at the center of crawdad sniper’s approach. It shapes Crustacean Station. It’s evident that shared chemistry and creative exchange remain the driving force over individual spotlight.

Crustacean Station is a six-track EP that highlights crawdad sniper’s range through a rotating cast of collaborators. Each cut pairs him with a different producer, yet the project never feels fragmented. Instead, it moves with intention, unified by stellar drum programming, elasticity, and a playful, almost mischievous sense of groove that keeps things danceable even when the sound design veers into glitch overload.

“Hyphae” with Sqonk opens the EP in orbit, drifting through spacey atmospheres and bubbly textures before snapping sharply into a tight kick and snare. The chopped, bouncy synth work almost feels conversational, like a voice stuttering through rhythm, before the track dissolves back into echoed, weightless ambiance.

“Bubble Stomp” with Optik Sound pushes that bounce forward, using a rotating bubble synth that slowly moves from the background into the spotlight. Hip-hop influence shows its face through a vocal chop from Notorious BIG’s “The What,” paired with a wobble-driven low end.

“Gar” with Togeki shifts the palette. It has a UKG-leaning style, which is the perfect taste to add to the bigger picture. The bass here feels wider and cleaner. It’s less glitchy and more revolving, letting the rhythm breathe while still locking the room into motion.

“Plugged In” with Cope Aesthetic opens in distortion before snapping into a clean, punchy groove anchored by a strong kick and snare. A chopped “ahhh” ad-lib adds a brighter, more colorful edge that keeps the track feeling lively and fun.

“Git Serious” with Maxfield glides on smoothly, using dynamic synths to create a constant sense of lift and release, pulling the listener up and dropping them back in. Muted breakdowns build tension before snapping into a high-throttle, airborne attack. The synths cut through the mix like fighter jets, pushing the energy into high altitude.

The final track on the EP, “Hi-Fi Snobbery” with Alejo, opens with water-drop textures, suspenseful synths, and old-timey radio vocals before crashing into a thick, distorted low end with undeniable hip-hop bounce. Just when it feels primed for one last hit, the track cuts out entirely, leaving the listener hanging, grinning, and waiting for more.

Crustacean Station features six cuts that reflect crawdad sniper’s evolving sound and collaborative approach. With the rotating cast of producers, it’s a project that feels cohesive without ever becoming stale.

Which collaboration from Crustacean Station do you want to hear on a proper system this year? Let us know in the comments or on socials.