April: 9 breaks releases you need to hear this month

Jynx 'Ember' (Hear This)

Hailed as a new name to watch by Annie Mac, elusive underground duo Jynx are making serious waves. Their forward-thinking cut ‘Ember’ immediately grabbed our attention with its wonderful blend of bright, colourful melodies and beautifully layered vocals – think Maribou State meets SBTRKT and you’re halfway there. With only a handful of releases under their belt, we can’t wait to hear what they have in store next.

9/10

The Brothers Grimm 'Exodus' (The Lion Awakes) (Special Request remix) (Sneaker Social Club)

It’s now been 25 years since the release of The Brothers Grimm’s seminal rave classic ‘Exodus (The Lion Awakes)’. To celebrate the landmark, some of the UK’s finest underground figures have stepped forward to provide their remixing services. Special Request gets straight to business on his edit, introducing breakbeats and a retro bassline that kicks hard in all the right places.

8/10

Kasperg 'Until U’re Gone' (Murder He Wrote remix) (Top Billin)

Murder He Wrote remixes Kasper’s ‘Until U’re Gone’, and combines classic breakbeat, hardcore and old-skool sounds on his UK funky-influenced rework. Driving, percussive rhythms are built around ravey piano chords and that infamous squeaky bed sample we didn’t know was actually a thing. Another genre-blurring stomper from an artist who’s at the top of his game right now.

9/10

De Nada 'Forever' (Punks)

De Nade first caught our attention back in 2016 with his outstanding free download ‘Provida’. His new release ‘Forever’ continues in a similar vein and features more of those dirty and techie basslines he’s slowly been crafting his sound around. We’re predicting big things for this new, exciting talent.

8/10

Evan Gamble Lewis 'Like Totally' (Bombtraxx)

Florida-based Breakspoll Award winner Evan Gamble Lewis clearly has the credentials behind him, but his recent output lacks imagination. As usual, his production skills are evident throughout but those gritty, mid-00s basslines and bleepy synths just won’t cut it on the modern floors.

5/10

Urbani featuring L8 'So Much More' (Slime)

So Much More sets the tone perfectly on André Urbani’s stunning new EP ‘Control’. If you’re a fan of the deeper end of breaks and garage, you’re onto a winner here, with New Orleans vocalist L8 on hand to offer sultry vocals rooted in warm, shimmering melodies and desolated pianos.

8/10

DJ Pnutz 'April 6' (Bullabeats)

Taken from DJ Pnutz’s 2016 album ‘The Good Wife’s Guide To Beatmaking’, ‘April 6’ has an early-Avalanches feel combined with some of the funkiest beats we’ve heard in a while. With a feel-good factor of 10, this soulful cut will bring a smile to the face of breaks and hip hop fans alike.

7/10

EAPD 'Hyperspace Cadillac' (Dr Banana)

UK clothing company Dr Banana returns for the second release in its new 12” series. This time, they’ve called upon EAPD to deliver this jungle-focussed track. ‘Hyperspace Cadillac’ is a progressive and alluring affair full of smooth, jazzy keys and crisp, shuffling beats; we’re already looking forward to the third instalment.

8/10

Sven Lochenhoer 'Big Poppin' (Perfect Driver)

Sven Lochenhoer features on Perfect Driver’s latest Miami-inspired comp with a stripped-back, bass-heavy fusion of breaks-meets-house. This cross-genre sound has been making a big enough impact that labels such as Dirtybird and This Ain’t Bristol are getting on board, and ‘Big Poppin’ is booty-shaking business at its best.

9/10