Mantra Damaged EP

In no uncertain terms, the debut solo EP from Mantra has been a long time coming. To anyone plugged into drum & bass for the right reasons, her name should already be on the tip of your tongue. At the helm of Rupture alongside Double O she’s nurtured the realest of the real in D&B terms, creating a scene within the scene for all true heads, where the demand for creativity, innovation and sheer integrity keep the music pushing forwards well beyond the confines of the venerated dance. It’s no surprise to hear this four track 12” follow suit - you already knew it was going to be good when you spied her name on the label.

In true Rupture spirit though, you shouldn’t just assume you know what you’re getting. Making her intentions clear from the get-go, Mantra opens up with ‘Damaged’, an icy half-stepper built from raw, rasping drums with an industrial patina. It’s no breakneck roller, but rather a deadly creeper with more than enough bite to satisfy those who want their music fierce.

It’s ‘Murda’ and ‘Victory Dance’ where we can hear Mantra stretching out into the rollers, but even so the breaks come diced at intriguing angles, the energy is teased with a distinct flair, and they only go off when Mantra deems it time to - much like when she’s at the controls in the club. ‘Ala’ offers up something wholly distinct once again, offering the kind of hidden B2 magic that makes a record special with some trippy backroom stepping business shaped out by mellow synth impulses and a pad setting a melancholic mood. Original, innovative pressure from someone largely responsible for keeping such values alive in D&B, as if we expected any less.