The long awaited 3rd LP from drum & bass masters, Calyx & TeeBee, was released on April 25th on RAM Records. Entitled 1×1 or One by One, the album features nothing but pure drum & bass auditory pleasure! All my fellow dnb heads are definitely loving Calyx & TeeBee’s latest offering. So let’s get straight into a track by track look and listen of 1×1.
Opening track, “Nothing Left” starts off from a distant landscape with a futuristic synth and subtle pads drawing us into this world that Calyx and TeeBee has created. Following through are the deep vocals of none other than Calyx himself. Yes he showcases his vocal talents on several of the tracks on the album. Honestly he sounds great and his voice compliments this atmospheric song well. The drop is aggressive with deep cut basslines that we love from the dnb genre.
Coming through next is “Long gone”. It begins with a beautiful guitar riff on top of hats. The vocals soon comes in to join the symphony of sounds, hooked in and breaking into a gentler, deeper bassline. This track has a liquid funk element incorporated into the mix coupled with great vocals. It’s definitely a feel good track that will blow the speakers at the club.
“Cloud 9” leads us into a cinematic, floaty vibe. Another track featuring the vocals of Calyx. This track has great energy, making use of spacey synths. The bassline is abit more robotic sounding adding edge and a hint of aggression. You can’t help but feel like taking off into the next galaxy. Love the sound design on this track.
“False Alarm” is a track that Calyx and TeeBee tried to incorporate a different flavour whilst still keeping the dnb vibe. The beginning of the track has abit of hip hop and trap influences due to the loop and the synth pattern. But soon we’re back into the dnb world. To be honest, I wasn’t much of a fan of this song though. It has some good bits, I actually like the non dnb parts of the song.
Next up is “Ghetto” featuring Doctor. This is a really cool track mainly because it’s got that jungle, reggae ton vibe. Amen breaks are on point. Edgier basslines. Mixing the old with the new was done perfectly. Doctor compliments the song well, clean cut.
“Big Tune Again” comes through with big sounds instead. In your face brass sounds followed by the squelchy distortion of basslines. Turn this one up loud.
In at the halfway point of the album is “Pathfinder”. I’ve got to say I’ve begun to look forward to the interlude tracks that producers make to tie in the first half of the album to the second half of the album. This track is insane! Love it! It’s a movie song guys and girls. It’s spectacular. A heartbeat in a futuristic thriller building up with the brassy sounds and swallowed bass sounds, subtly enveloped with soft strings adding mystery. After which the breakdown melts into an atmospheric space vibe turning the situation around and we’re back to the suspense. Close your eyes and think of a story to which this song will be the soundtrack to, I promise it’s amazing!
After that beauty of a song we’re now onto the second half of 1×1 where things swiftly pick up. “Ghostwriter” transitions into a heavier mix compared to the first half of the album. This song also incorporates some jungle elements in terms of the bassline.
“Takes One To Know One” slows things down slightly. This track takes us back to the liquid dnb productions that I personally love. So definitely another favourite tune of the album. The Reese is awesome. A definite club banger track with catchy vocals.
“Where We Go” features Doctor making his second appearance on the album. This song has a chiptune element coupled with the squelch and deep sub bassline over the dnb beat.
Next up is yet another favourite of mine, featuring Ayah Marar. “The Fall” is a monster track. Everything is so perfect in this song. I cannot complain. The bassline is on point, it’s got so much of attitude and character. You don’t want to mess with this. Ayah’s vocals fits so well with this song.
“Panic Attack” is next in. Yet another aggressive track firing up the neuro funk bit of the dab scene we love. Fast pace and great sound design. Club banger for sure.
Second last song is “Stray Bullet”. Bubbling up from parts unknown, we are filled with suspense as the track takes shape. Unfaltering into a stellar break. Makes my dab heart all warm and fuzzy. Loving this track. Drum and bass at its best.
Finally to end off 1×1 is “A Day That Never Comes”. Calyx and TeeBee opted for a vocal track to close off the album, but don’t be fooled, they didn’t let up on the aggression. They kept the speaker full of bass and unrivalled energy. Making us dance until the very last second. The track mixes space elements which we love about neuro funk.
Overall “One by One” satisfies the taste buds of Drum & Bass fans, but I felt like Calyx & TeeBee could have done a lot more with this album. In comparison to their previous albums, this one falls slightly short. Nonetheless it is definitely an album worth listening to. I have a lot of favourites and you shall too.
