The term ‘self care’ seems to be ubiquitous in recent years. Between COVID, Brexit and whatever the hell is going on in humanity currently, it seems to be a phrase everyone is using, but not always for the right reasons. TikTok influeners and marketing teams have co-opted the phrase to hawk overconsumption (looking at you, Stanley and Temu) and unnecessary skin care, but its message still rings clear: taking care of oneself is important.
In the arts sector, self care means something quite different, and in drum and bass, many artists have realised that the music itself can be a form of self-love and a help for mental health issues. This really ramped up in the COVID years, when artists took to webstreams to keep fans entertained and also as an outlet for themselves. The scene seems to be a bit kinder, gentler and more introspective since then.
UK-based late era darkstep warrior Enta has recently emerged from the underground, where he’s been honing his sound for over a decade now, seems to always have been focused on emotionalsubjects for his work. The diversity of his sound suggests he writes what he feels, and soon enough labels like Audioporn, Souped Up, Formation, Blackout and Soulvent came calling. That roster alone should tell audiences how versatile Enta is, but when his latest EP, Self Care released on Eatbrain it showed a bit of a pivot. Enta has released on neuro labels before, such as the afore-mentioned Blackout, Neuroheadz and Prolix’s imprint Trendkill, but Eatbrain is so staunchly neuro, when the EP dropped in late December last year, the Eatbrain Hoarde must have been scratching its collective head. An Enta EP on Eatbrain titled Self Care?
It’s likely no one at the label knew how their fans would take self care as a concept, let alone as a release, but it’s done quite well and stands out on the Earbrain roster as being sufficiently technical to make the Hoarde happy while also containing loads of Enta’s characteristic darkstep soul. There’s emotion and care in Self Care, for those who want to feel it, and whilst incredibly danceable, the EP also has a grounding and calming effect that hearkens back to the golden age of darkstep.
To this end, today’s playlist has a bit of a twist, just like Enta’s work itself. Quite often, artists focus on music that’s influenced their work, and whilst that’s certainly true for Enta’s picks, he’s taken it a step further to look at his go-to tracks when he needs a little self care of his own. Much like his own work, Enta’s playlist is diverse and deep. Here’s hoping it inspires others to make their own self care playlists.
Amon Tobin – A Living Room (Music from meow Wolf’s Omega Mart)
I’m a big fan of immersive, eerie ambient, music. If I want to escape somewhere far away then this one takes me there. Less sunny beach and more deep space. When it comes to escapism it doesn’t get any more otherworldly than this. I could be doing the most mundane thing ever like buying bread from an off license, but if I whack this on it suddenly becomes this life-changing journey.
Dillinja – Silver Blade
When I start getting into a genre of music, I’ll always start with the gateway tunes or what’s current and then work my way back in time. As a drum and bass artist It’s fascinating to see this in our genre, and Silver Blade has stood the test of time. It’s such a powerful track I can only imagine what it was like experiencing this track on a system back in the 90s. The act of digging deep through the history of a genre is in itself a form of self-care because its so rewarding.
Yussef Dayes, Venna & Charlie Stacey – Black Classical Music
I take three trains across London to get to my day job everyday. I’m darting about between platforms, subways and through big crowds. Very, very chaotic. So naturally some frantic jazz drum solos are needed to help me get through it. This is self-care in stressful situations. Also, being the drummer in a jazz band when I was younger, this track just speaks to me.
James K & Hoodie – Scorpio
The way this track weaves together psychedelia and trip hop laced with James K’s swirling vocals for eight minutes straight puts me in a trance. It’s beautiful to listen to and it helps me think introspectively. I think it’s healthy when music helps you feel even if it’s melancholic.
DJ Hazard – Silence
I’ll turn to this track when I need to remind myself of the things I like about this genre. I love how violently aggressive the bass is, laced over some weighty acoustic drums. It’s quite rare to hear a track like this especially these days, not many artists are able to nail the acoustic drum sound this well. This track motivates me to make my own drums sound better.
Rage Against The Machine – Testify
I’ve been a Rage fan for years, I love the raw energy, heaviness and their fierce anti-capitalist political stance. With how batshit crazy the world is today, listening to their music and watching old recordings of their live shows feels like self-medication.
Nikki Nair & DJ ADHD – No Pulse
Diving headfirst into other forms of dance music is good for the soul. Especially if it’s something unhinged and twisted like this track. Dancing is a major form of self-care for me and this track is a lot of fun to shake a leg to. Nikki and ADHD aren’t afraid to get really weird with their production and I find that quite inspiring. It’s fuel for me as an artist.
Slipknot – Spit It Out
Hanging around with neurofunk artists has definitely reignited my love for metal. I can’t really get through the day without it in some form (or just heavy nasty music in general). There are times in my daily routine where I feel the need to properly scream my head off and start a circle pit somewhere. Especially on the London Underground or in the checkout queue at Aldi. This track really brings those demons out. Extra points for the synth breakbeat halfway through.
Piero Piccioni – Easy Lovers
I don’t know what it is about 1960s Italian cinema soundtracks but they really help me settle. When I’m resting up at home after a heavy day at work or weekend of gigs, they bring me back to earth. A weekend palette cleanser. The light touch of jazz in this one is especially soothing. I could be monging out on the sofa, but whack this on I’m at a spa.
Enta’s Self Care EP is out now on Eatbrain. Purchase or stream here.
