Ulterior Motive creates a world of high-fidelity shadows. Their sound is defined by a relentless, swinging funk that feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in the golden era of techstep. It is music that prioritizes the 'weight' of the sound - the way a kick drum hits the chest or a sub-bass line snakes through the floor - without ever losing a sense of sophisticated musicality.
What truly sets them apart is their obsession with texture. By utilizing custom-built hardware alongside modern digital tools, they achieve a specific 'analog grit' that many of their contemporaries lack. Their tracks often feature intricate, metallic percussion and mid-range growls that feel physical and dangerous, yet the mixdowns remain incredibly clean and spacious.
For those new to the duo, the '001EP' or the classic 'Featherweight' are the definitive starting points. These tracks showcase their ability to take a simple hip-hop-influenced groove and transform it into a high-octane dancefloor weapon that works just as well for a focused solo listening session as it does in a dark club.
Shares drum and bass, downtempo (subgenres); intense, restless, mysterious (moods)
Shares drum and bass (subgenres); intense, mysterious, restless (moods)
Shares drum and bass, downtempo (subgenres); absent, processed, spoken word (vocal style)
Shares drum and bass, downtempo (subgenres); absent, processed, spoken word (vocal style)
Shares drum and bass (subgenres); intense, mysterious, restless (moods)
Shares drum and bass (subgenres); intense, mysterious, restless (moods)
Shares drum and bass, downtempo (subgenres); intense, restless, mysterious (moods)
Shares drum and bass (subgenres); absent, processed, spoken word (vocal style)
Shares drum and bass, downtempo (subgenres); absent, processed, spoken word (vocal style)
Shares techstep, metallic, drum and bass, spoken word (signature)
Shares techstep, drum and bass, spoken word, analog warmth (signature)
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