Despite hailing from opposite sides of the world and each having defined careers as solo artists, South Korea’s #Xeomi and Germany’s #Kaiza have a remarkably likeminded approach to producing drum and bass. Initially known to fans for their respective contributions to #WobbleWarriors and #T3KRecordings, the scrupulous pair have recently cemented a reputation as a formidable duo, concocting a versatile shared discography spanning brutal neurofunk, intricate techstep and even chugging halftime creations. Since first joining forces in 2018, the pair quickly noticed their synergy and have formed a de facto production duo, releasing prolifically on #BadTaste, #RedLight, #Kosenprod and #CitrusRecordings among other labels. Their next offering, the four-track #CypherEP, marks their second outing via #ProtoCode following 2019’s #MitoEP, and serves as their ninth collaborative project to date.
First up on the project, the club mix of “#Xero” calls upon the vocal talents of decorated New Zealand lyricist #CamoMC, who lays down rave-ready lyrics about his junglist credentials atop a bed of crunchy, distorted basslines and unorthodox snares. Taking the gas mark up a notch on the hectic and intense “#Godlike”, the duo team up with relative newcomer and Jersey, UK native #Xylym to create a brutal neurofunk stepper dominated by juddering, oscillating basslines and ricocheting breaks.
“#TalkToMe” taps the production capabilities of Italian #DJCrimson, whose vast and impressive back catalogue includes releases on #ShogunAudio, #BadTaste and #GuidanceMusic as well as #Kaiza’s #T3KRecordings. The result of this intriguing three-way collaboration is a dancefloor-friendly roller, deftly fusing catchy vocal samples with melodic plucked basslines and darker growls. Closing the EP on a high is a full vocal mix of “#Xero”, enabling fans to enjoy an alternative version of the track featuring #Camo spitting additional lyrics over the track’s contorted drops. It’s an A&R master stroke, concluding this ambitious international EP by ensuring that fans of one of Oceania’s finest drum and bass labels are treated to a full display of the Canterbury MC’s barring abilities. #Xeomi, #Kaiza and #ProtoCode have quite literally gone to the ends of the Earth to put this project together, and the results of these global link-ups speak for themselves.
