Deadbeats’ seventh label compilation is here.
‘We Are Deadbeats Vol. 7’ arrives today on Zeds Dead’s famous label, serving up a snapshot of today’s bass scene across 17 tracks from some of the genre’s most buzzed-about and too-often-slept-on stars.
Spanning deep dub, 140, halftime, trip-hop, and beyond, the latest VA compilation embraces the contrasting sounds that have defined the imprint’s curatorial method over 10 years in the game, bringing together producers who approach dance music’s low-end from different angles.
Moreover, with a history of plugging the genre’s biggest superstars before they blew up—Subtronics, Rezz, Mersiv, Champagne Drip, and other heavyweights featured in early volumes—the ‘We Are Deadbeats’ series has become an unofficial marker for the state of bass music since its debut in 2017.
Alongside Deadbeats alumni Distinct Motive, Mary Droppinz, Smoakland, and Hydraulix, this year’s class includes emerging and veteran artists such as AYCH, OVEREAZY, Blurrd Vzn, Baclash, En:vy, Industry Plants, DR MAD, Froidy, PapaJay, Mystic Methods, Crawdad Sniper, Die By The Sword, Nikita, the Wicked, Cerdin, Bluff, Poni, rSUN, Floret Loret, and Emrys.
EDM Maniac hit up 17 ‘Vol. 7’ Deadbeats to get the story behind their contribution and their take on what it means to join the compilation. Have a listen and read what they had to say below.
“9mm” – AYCH, OVEREAZY
“This song was made for the purpose of having fun and bringing out the vibes for the crowd. We wanted to combine the elements of experimental bass and West Coast hip hop to make a fun and catchy bassline for the hook alongside the classic vocal chops.”
– OVEREAZY
“PARTY ROCKER” – Blurrd Vzn
“Very excited to be releasing on the Deadbeats label. Honestly a dream label release. When we made this song, we wanted to take trap vibes and 140 vibes and bring them together to kinda paint a picture of what the Blurrd Vzn project is all about. It’s truly one of our favorite songs to play out and see the crowd’s reaction.”
– Blurrd Vzn
“Rhythm” – Baclash
“I feel like ‘Rhythm’ is a harder song than I would normally write, and I originally wrote it just as an experiment, so for it to land on Deadbeats is pretty crazy. Big shoutout to the Zeds Dead boys and the whole team for getting behind this track.”
“I’ve been going to Zeds Dead shows for over fifteen years and watching Deadbeats become a platform for tons of my favorite artists over the years. It’s always been the label I wanted to release on the most, so to say I’m grateful to be a part of it this year is a huge understatement.”
– Baclash
“Want U” – En:vy
“Stepping out of my comfort zone for this one as I have no idea where to categorize this tune. I love how silky smooth it is and tickles the right parts of my brain.”
“Deadbeats has been a huge name in bass music for years, so it feels special to be part of this compilation. I’m really happy to contribute my own sound to a label that’s consistently pushed forward-thinking bass music.”
– En:vy
“RAH” – Industry Plants, DR MAD
“A little over a year ago we premiered this tune with Dr. Mad to a packed-out Mod Club during our first-ever gig as Industry Plants, and the reaction was amazing. We knew from the moment we cut the track Deadbeats was where we wanted it. As a couple kids from Ontario, this label and this compilation means the world to us. It’s truly a dream come true.”
– Industry Plants
“We clicked so well and it made everything so easy. I’m honored to work with such talented people. My thought process was, I just wanna embody the production lyrically. It sounded raw, so I kept it that way.”
– DR MAD
“Bring Me Back” – PapaJay
“‘Bring Me Back’ is one of those songs that hits me emotionally every time. It’s about that feeling of being brought back to life when you need it most. I wanted the production to capture that emotion and energy while still having a nostalgic feeling to it.”
– PapaJay
“MYSTIC SMOAK” – Smoakland, Mystic Methods
“It is truly an honor to be featured again on a Deadbeats compilation. Working with the Mystic Methods guys was so fun. This project really flowed easily between the four of us. Deadbeats to us is truly the pinnacle of bass music. It doesn’t get much better than this.
– Smoakland
“Yay.”
– Mystic Methods
“RiGHT TiME” – Hydraulix, Mary Droppinz
“Me and MD have been sitting on this track for some time now. It was truly one of those effortless tracks. The second we came together on it, everything flowed so well and just worked like it was meant to be. So much love to Alyssa for jumping on this one, and huge love to the Deadbeats fam for always supporting and showing love!”
– Hydraulix
“‘RIGHT TIME’ feels like all the corners of electronic music colliding at once at the right time. Techno energy, dubstep weight, bass pressure—no rules, no boxes, just genres melting into each other the way we love.”
– Mary Droppinz
“Land of Wolves” – Die By The Sword
“Honored to join the Deadbeats family with one of my favorite tracks I’ve ever made, ‘Land of Wolves.’ I feel this track shares a glimpse at the next chapter for my project and sonic signature, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of the compilation and label.”
– Die By The Sword
“TTY” – Nikita, the Wicked, Cerdin
“I originally posted this ID on my Instagram, and when Cerdin said he was interested in it, I knew he could take it to the next level. Got to play this one out a lot on my tour and during this festival season, and it always goes off. He’s a very gifted producer, and it’s an honor to be recognized on Deadbeats with all these other talented artists.”
– Nikita, the Wicked
“Working with Nikita has been sick. We’ve been a fan of each other for a while, and when we got to co-writing ‘TTY,’ I knew there was something super special in the works. Super heavy, lots of movement, and so much of that high-tier, clean, signature NTW style, meshed with my love for genre-bending and brooding melodies. Between playing the track in our individual sets to playing it out together back in May at his show in Calgary, this one’s been a real ride. Stoked it’s found a home on DeadBeats!”
– Cerdin
“All Alone” – Poni
“‘All Alone’ is a raw, emotionally heavy dive into depression, isolation, guilt, and self-hatred, capturing the exhaustion of constantly fighting to stay afloat while feeling abandoned by everyone… even yourself. It explores the loneliness of carrying regret, struggling with self-worth, and searching for a place to belong in a world that feels cold and unforgiving.”
– Poni
“Mind” – rSUN, Floret Loret
“rSUN and I have been fans of each other’s work and wanted to write a tune together for a while, so the collab happened organically. We have a similar sound palette, so writing this song was a lot of fun. I think we both leveled up with our sound design and songwriting. I’m so honored and happy to be welcomed back to Deadbeats for their ‘We Are Deadbeats’ compilation. I am incredibly grateful to the team and for all their love and support over the years.
– Floret Loret
“Can’t Stop Me” – Emrys
“It’s an honor and a dream come true to have ‘Can’t Stop Me’ released on Deadbeats. I’ve looked up to Zeds Dead since the age of 10, when I first found electronic dance music. I’m incredibly grateful to have my music included in the label’s story, and I can’t wait to share this one with you. Follow your dreams!”
– Emrys
Featured image courtesy: Deadbeats.