"2023 Unveiled: The Railways"
Drum and Bass Resurgence: A 2023 Renaissance
In 2023, the drum and bass (D&B) scene is experiencing a vibrant mainstream renaissance, with both established and emerging artists blending traditional elements with innovative sounds to appeal to a wider audience. This revival is marked by a fusion of classic breakbeat-driven jungle rhythms with modern electronic production, jazz, reggae, and soul influences.
Notable artists driving this resurgence include Nia Archives, a leading figure of the post-2020 D&B revival. Her critically acclaimed EP Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against the Wall topped the UK Dance Albums Chart in 2023. Her sound mixes jazzy, soulful influences with energetic breakbeats, drawing comparisons to iconic figures like Goldie and blending old-school jungle with new rhythmic patterns.
My Nu Leng, influential veterans in the scene, have been pivotal in pushing the boundaries of D&B by incorporating tech and experimental elements, inspiring a new wave of artists. Their legacy endures, highlighting the genre’s evolving and dynamic nature in recent years.
Artists like Venbee, Charlotte Plank, and Piri also contribute notably to this renewed interest, being part of what is described as the "bedroom rave" movement. DIY production and social media have democratized music creation and distribution, widening exposure for D&B.
The resurgence is characterized by a diversity of sub-styles, including jungle with chopped breaks and a reggae spirit, rollers known for smooth and groovy basslines, and liquid which emphasizes emotional and melodic elements. Platforms like TikTok have accelerated the spread of D&B tracks, exposing wider, younger audiences to its varied subgenres and fostering viral hits that cross into mainstream charts.
One of the standout tracks of 2023 is DJ Hybrid's "Bullet", blending gritty jungle from the past with new-school flavors, making it the favorite track of the year. Another notable track is Halogenix's "Lost Friends", a powerful tune rooted in F Minor, creating a sense of melancholy, with steady breaks and a constant sub.
The remix of "Blinded By The Lights 23" by Pete Cannon & Mixtress is a 160 rework with Skinner's chopped vocals and old-school hardcore influence. Glenn Herweijer, also known as Eijer, has released an R&B influenced, feel-good roller called "Call Me" featuring Brandy Haze.
Issey Cross has put her spin on The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony", creating an electronic interpretation that is popular among electronic music lovers. Chris Garvey, under the alias Circadian, parted ways from D&B duo The Prototypes to create music and define a new sound, with his track "Mesmer" being a favorite for both DJs and ravers.
The track "Life Like This" by IMANU, YAANO, VISLA, and Tudor features Tudor's yearning vocals and blends the gleaming, deep, and dark realms of drum & bass. Drone's track "All I Know FT. Snowy" is a dark and powerful track with heavy and hard lowend, reminiscent of early grime.
In 2023, more D&B tracks have hit the UK top 40 than ever before, indicating a growing mainstream acceptance of the genre. The Drum&Bass Arena Awards have also recognised tracks like Simula's "Bonesaw", which received remix treatments from K-Motionz and Scruz & Kippo, and was nominated for the Best Track award.
Altogether, drum and bass in 2023 is thriving with a blend of nostalgic reverence and forward-thinking creativity, enabled by streaming, social media trends, and genre-crossing collaborations, marking a clear and ongoing renaissance for the genre.
The resurgence of drum and bass in 2023 includes the fusion of music styles, as artists like Nia Archives blend traditional jungle rhythms with modern electronic production and soulful influences. Notable tracks incorporating music, such as DJ Hybrid's "Bullet" and IMANU, YAANO, VISLA, and Tudor's "Life Like This," have gained mainstream acceptance, further contributing to the renaissance of the genre.
