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Review: Nia Archives has burst through and made a gigantic impact that now stands her at the forefront of the latest jungle era, and pretty much has done since she first made waves in 2020. Her collagist soundscapes have brought an all new sense of energy and rejuvenation to the genre that has in turn brought in plenty of new fans. While some may label her a revivalist, she emphasises that that aspect of the genre has never really gone away. The 24-year-old's debut album has been much anticipated by fans who have fallen in love with her weightless jungle tracks and intense basslines and they aren't let down here as those sounds resonate throughout.

Review: Probably the largest project that could possibly be classified as an EP that we've come across this year, Om Unit's latest record 'Fragments' is an exemplary case of bass music vacillating between two referents that newcomers might mistakenly oppose: "atmospheric" and "banger". Once again released as part of his new spate of ongoing "off-label releases, which began with his titles 'Submerged' and 'Atlantis', this is a maximized, nebulous, glassy, spectral, constellatory EP verging on ghost-notes of UK hardcore and breakstep (check our fave, 'Moonglade'). Every drum hit is EQ-scooped, polished, glossed and preened to the max, evidencing Om's achievement of a sound that few dance music producers can hack without a burnout-inducing mixing session or ten.

Review: Unstoppable next-gen junglist Nia Archives presents Silence Is Loud, her forthcoming debut album following an introductory onslaught of bangers such as 'Crowded Roomz'.AIn keeping with the contemporary torch-bearer's take on jungle, Archives' sound is cuter and, dare we say, more original than many Terminator-helmeted old-heads would dare allow themselves. Lead single 'Silence Is Loud' demonstrates this as much, with its expository beat drop marking a return to and cogent awareness of, jungle tekno, with its 4x4 undergird topped up by a floaty trip-hop vocal line, its lyrics evoking city reminiscences and staying afloat in troubled times. Promising both banger delivery and sentiment, Silence Is Loud is poised to pave the way for the very next incarnation jungle.

Review: The mysterious Oxvac is only credited with one EP back in 2019 and a few digital releases in the years since, so this new album is a significant body of work that belies his relatively newbie status. It comes on recycled green marbled vinyl and collides IDM, jungle and breakbeat into all new drum &bass frameworks across ten new and original tracks designed for the club. The rhythms come thick and fast, the basslines plunge into the depths of space and the pads are as soulful, jazz and cosmic and you can imagine in what is a serene intergalactic trip.

Review: Firstly let us please give a round of applause to Gremlinz & Jesta for such a wonderful label name. If you find anything even as remotely as cool as a shark with a laser on its head we need photographic evidence. Secondly let us please give an even louder round of applause for the music. If you know Gremlinz and Jesta's work on labels such as Droogs and Headz then you'll know the drill already. 'Shoresy' riffs off some lovely detuned rave stabs in a way that Spirit was always the king at. 'New Sky' meanwhile takes us down more of a slower tempo breaks route but with no compromises in terms of the weight and clarity. Reach for the lasers!

Review: .Stepping into spring with true style and just the right amount of nostalgic sass, unpredictable Finnish artist Otto Taimela follows a string of techno dispatches with this sublime four track jungle narrative that's perfect the sunnier seasons. With its lively, unkempt edits and jumps, 'Sunflower' has a powerful warmth of a timeless jungle dancefloor tune while carrying a certain amount of nostalgic IDM haze. It's a vibe which is maintained throughout the EP; 'Sunwarmed Window' has a dreamier edge that wouldn't have gone amiss on Warp at any point during the early to mid-90s, 'Sunshine Reloading' rides a much busier drums palette while 'Imagined U' brings us back down to earth with a gentle beatless ambient kiss. Stunning.

Review: Originally released in 1994 and now reissued in 2024, confirming the resurgence of interest in the classic jungle sound, 'Watch Out' is a hard-hitting jungle track with a relentless 'Amen' break, while 'Media' offers a more complex and atmospheric soundscape with a deep, broken bassline.. 'Watch Out' immediately grabs attention with its pounding bassline and heavy drums, the tribal percussion adding an exotic flavor, while the heavy Amen break provides the relentless drive that characterises jungle at its best. The track is relentless and hypnotic, perfectly capturing the energy of the early scene. 'Media,' in contrast, is a more experimental tune. The jungle breakbeats are present, but they are more subdued, providing a backdrop for the track's deep bass notes. Together, 'Watch Out' and 'Media' offer a snapshot of the golden era of jungle music. They are essential listening for anyone interested in the genre's roots and its continuing evolution.

Review: Wots My Code has been back on our shelves recently with some of his most seminal EPs getting reissued. His self-titled effort from 1992 came back in October, as did his All Seasons EP also on Kiteforce, both of which sounded as good as they did back when first crafted. Now his The New Dubplates EP drops on Just Another Label with 'Dubplate' kicking off as a remix by Bay B Kane that takes no prisoners. A Sikka remix then tweaks the energy level and on the flip is 'Pass Me A Dubplate (92-3)' a short but sweet closer.

Review: Contemporary jungle Renaissance crew Omni Music continue to look back over their vaults for more vinyl reissue gold. This time, two tracks from Pariah's 2017 'Selected Works' series. Two very different approaches to the jungle style; 'Meltdown' is a big dreamer of a track with its lush pads and subtle sense of drive and momentum while 'Metal Hero' is a much more punishing affair with uncompromising breaks and an aggy energy that will cut into any mix creatively. Both absolutely slap.