If the words wheelup, selecta, and reload mean anything to you, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Neumonic’s corner of the USUKG scene. As a producer, DJ, promoter, and one of the loudest to spread the UK garage gospel in the United States, Nick Neumann has spent years helping build a thriving community around the sound. He’s now premiering something truly special that has been a long time coming: a garage label of his own: Nawty Records.
Launching June 12, Nawty Records arrives with RaveStation Vol. 1, a 13-track release featuring a perfect balance of US and UK talent. Equal parts dancefloor weaponry and scene showcase, the compilation captures everything that makes the heavier side of modern UKG exciting right now. Get ready to 2-step with us into the garage.
Garage Hours
“This release spans through heavy dark 2-step, club-forward 4×4 anthems and everything in between. There is something for any set in this compilation and these tracks are truly ready for the dancefloor.”
For a label debut, the curation feels remarkably confident. Neumonic has a clear intention with this label: to give artists he believes in the best chance of reaching new, garage-loving ears. Take a look at the names on this debut, and we’re sure you’ll see some you recognize, and some you will soon be glad to discover.
TRACKLIST / OUR REVIEW:
1. FSHR – Bless
[Tough, percussive, laser-focused.]
2. ANIMATE – Rogue
[Droning basses, wheeled-up hype, alarming.]
3. Morty x Neumonic x Melvyn – Little Bitta This
[A favorite, with insane vocal flow over swung drums that don’t miss and Neumonic’s signature wonky basses.]
4. 1997 – Polaris
[Loud, intense, killer for a heavy set. Subtlety goes out the window here.]
5. Kiefer Ian x Ki – EH2EH
[4×4 drums, fuzzy basses, and tough club vibes.]
6. Starostka x samgood – Noise
[Colorful with a 4×4 bounce. This one’s for the energetic steppers on the dance floor.]
7. Villain Era – Maintain
[Another favorite. You can’t go wrong with 4×4 drums, organ plucks and a chopped vocal.]
8. Hypho x Huevos – Shoot The Style
[Tough, dangerous 2-step. We crown this one the naughtiest bass on the record.]
9. Liot – Take Warning
[Total highlight. Spring-loaded jumpy rising basses amid a beat and vocal chop pairing that makes your heart rate bounce. Plus 10 points for tasteful wheelup use.]
10. Dehm x Cerulo – JUMPBOY
[Absolutely nasty cut. No surprise from these two LA-based underground heroes. This is the one you run when you’re playing a set to a room full of producers you want to impress.]
11. Agent O – Know What I’m Sayin
[Fast, half 4×4 fun with a 2-step second drop. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.]
12. Tasuuna – tmbu
[Dancefloor weapon with infectious vocal sampling and devious basses. Leaves enough space to breathe before leaving you on the floor again.]
13. Path2 x 1Xul – Something To Be
[Gorgeous way to round out the project. Melodic, minimal, and tough.]
Neu Wave
One of the beautiful parts about artists curating their own labels is creating new spaces of their own that they had once dreamed of finding.
“I have a very specific taste of heavier garage that I know can be hard to fit on some labels, and hadn’t found enough labels and outlets that truly fit my sound and showcase the artists that I love to play out. Expect all types of garage from Nawty Records, as well as branching out to Dubstep / Breakbeat / Bassline / Drum & Bass if the track fits the vision I am going for. Just like my sets, the label will not be bounded by genres… just as long as the music is nawty ;)”
More than just another imprint launch, Nawty Records feels like the culmination of years spent building community around a sound that continues to thrive far beyond its birthplace. RaveStation Vol. 1 is special in that it documents where the scene is right now and intends to follow where it’s headed next. If this compilation is any indication, the future looks uninhibited and unapologetically nawty.
Listen below!
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