Well this is a first, and a very exciting one at that. Ever the innovators, UK liquid D&B royalty Deuce & Charger have created a Your EDM playlist with our standard format, citing tracks that influenced their new “charger” of an EP, First Light with descriptions. The new jam is they’ve also created an easily streamable Spotify playlist of the same tracks for easy listening. Take your pick!
Another first for Deuce & Charger is First Light itself, as it’s the first EP they’ve put out together since starting their Lost Together Music imprint last year. They teased two of the tracks, “Lies” and “Never Out of Sight” and released a remix of “Never out of Sight” by Kitrix months before the EP’s release so everyone in the D&B world has been looking forward to hearing the full EP. Released on August 7th, it did no disappoint.
First Light opens with its title track and with that gigantic kick and unique vocal melody, listeners are launched once again into the sparkly yet bass-driven world of this duo’s uncompromisingly clean sounds. Following from there, both the original and Kitrix’s remix of “Never Out of Sight” are on the EP and, not surprisingly, they couldn’t be more different. From D&C’s original, Kitrix revamped all the stems, including the very melodic vocals, into a minimal, deep bass track that’s just a techy synth shy of neurofunk. It’s a fun little surprise in the middle of all the liquid and shows how diverse Deuce & Charger are, both with their own style and with what they plan to do on their Burgeoning label.
The uplifting and journey of First Light closes with the now well-known “Lies” and “Sun In Our Eyes,” the latter of which is another surprise as it opens with a beautiful dubstep/future bass piece before launching into the faster dancefloor tempos and fun 80s synths that characterize the EP. There’s a true wealth of sound and style on First Light so Your EDM was of course very curious about what tracks the duo felt influenced the EP. So, without further ado, the playlist! YouTube tracks are listed below with Deuce & Charger’s explanation of how they were inspired by each track and the Spotify streaming player is at the end of the article.
Wilkinson – Need To Know
Wilkinson was one of the first artists that got us into D&B and has been a huge influence ever since. This tune has such a euphoric vibe and so many cool elements to the production – awesome vocal, cool rhythm switch-ups and a wicked bass line too.
Washed Out – Eyes Be Closed
We love the dreamy, summery style of Washed Out’s music which is captured perfectly on this track – a big influence on the atmosphere we try to create in our music.
Culture Shock – There For You
Another hazy summer time tune – you might see a pattern developing here! An uplifting track with a great yearning vocal, waves of analogue synths and really crisp drum work.
Icarus – Sirens
There’s a really cool simplicity about this track. Different parts are brought in and out as the track progresses so it sounds like it’s constantly evolving, but actually it revolves around a pretty simple idea. It’s got a bit of a tropical vibe about it too, which is all good with us.
Crissy Criss – Real
Absolute anthem!! This has to be one of our favourite D&B tunes of the last few years.
Rufus Du Sol – Treat You Better
Ok, back to another one with dreamy, evocative vocals and layers of analogue synths. The First Light EP was really all about bringing this kind of uplifting summer vibe (with just a hint of melancholy and nostalgia) to drum & bass.
Becky Hill x Shift K3Y – Better Off Without You (High Contrast Remix)
We’ve often said in interviews that we listen to loads of D&B remixes of vocal tracks from other genres. This is one we played a lot when we were working on the EP, particularly the title track. Again, it’s got a real warmth and energy, and Becky Hill has to be one of the best vocalists in the game right now.
Daft Punk – Around The World
This is one of our favorite tracks of all time. Daft Punk will always be a huge influence on our music, this tune particularly when we were working on the EP track “Never Out Of Sight.”
Sub Focus – Tidal Wave
This might seem like a bit of an obvious choice, but sometimes you have to acknowledge the influence of these classic tracks! We love the whole ‘Torus’ album – it still sounds so fresh today.
Air – All I Need
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTHjFeXmnHs
Another massive influence on our music from outside the world of D&B. The vocal on this is incredible and the whole track has an amazingly timeless quality.
First Light is out now on Lost Together Music and can be streamed or purchased on multiple platforms by clicking here. Check out the YEDM playlist on Spotify below.
