The Best Grime Music In February

Grindhouse – Welcome To The Grindhouse

Grindhouse is a producer that’s been making music for a while, and like many people who discovered production in their early years, his first beats were made on Music 2000. His previous work includes the track IRL, a collaboration between himself and MC Genghis Kong. “Welcome To The Grindhouse” is his latest EP that clocks in at eight tracks. Standout track ‘Deckard’ is a minimal track full of neon synths and heavy bass; while ‘On & On’ is packed with bite and includes a cool switch up that comes from nowhere.

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Darkness – Opposition / Survival Mode

Darkness‘ production style mixes the gargantuan sound of trap with modern-day grime elements. Recently, he’s ported that production style into a few R&B-esque singles with Ayeisha Raquel, but he’s back on grime this month with “Opposition / Survival Mode.” ‘Opposition’ – a track that’s been on the airwaves for a few years now – is a rugged, mid tempo cut that sets the mood for the single. ‘Survival Mode’ is classic Darkness, kicking off with dark keys and eventually unfurling into a dynamic bed of mangled samples, soft lead lines and a few classic grime samples for good measure. Overall, it’s a welcome return for one of grime’s most talented producers.

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Polonis – Evilset Airwaves / Evilset Anthem

Polonis – like Grandmixxer – is a producer that captures the raw and strange essence of early-era grime without relying on doe-eyed nostalgia, spinning the formula into something new. His latest is a two-tracker titled “Evilset Airwaves / Evilset Anthem.” ‘Evilset Airwaves’ is characterised by hypnagogic AMS lines and bruising percussion; while ‘Evilset Anthem’ is built around a couple of samples and big stabs that repeat for a slice of hypnotic grime.

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SBUERS – Distant Call / Wishing Well

SBUERS is a producer from London and “Distant Call / Wishing Well” is his second release of this month. Opening track ‘Distant Call’ features a winding bassline and high-drama melodies – think the protagonist of a sci-fi film running through the digital rain. On the flip, ‘Wishing Well’ takes on the classic 8-bar grime template, fluidly flitting between cybernetic percussion and lo-fi melodies.

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Lolingo – Female Shottah

Lolingo returns with with “Female Shottah”, a three-tracker released on Valentines Day. Title track ‘Female Shottah’ starts as a head-bopping garage cut, growing darker and more into grime territory as its run time plays out. ‘Buttercup Riddim’ is classic R&G; while final track ‘Cellular’ is a remix of the Mordecai track. The track has both eyes on the rave, as Lolingo delivers a remix full of bass weight and icy melodies.

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Scrivs x Jakebob – Banana Shirt

Longtime collaborators Scrivs and Jakebob have teamed up for “Banana Shirt”, letting of four tracks of pure heat in the process. Title track ‘Banana Shirt’ sees the two let off four minutes of AMS madness; while ‘Ages’ is a barrage of mechanical melodies that hit the speakers hard. ’12 Gauge’ and ‘Class’ are solo productions from each producer. ’12 Gauge’ is Jakebob’s, opening up with a classic pirate radio sample and keeping that burning energy throughout; while Scrivs’ ‘Class’ takes the energy down, preferring to lead with strings for a stirring mood throughout.