2024 has been another unforgettable year for bass music, with albums taking center stage in showcasing the genre’s depth and creativity.
This year, standout albums have pushed the boundaries of what drum and bass can be. From iconic artists delivering career-defining statements to fresh talent redefining the sound, the year has given us plenty to celebrate. And it’s not just drum and bass thriving—dubstep and UK garage have also delivered albums that prove their continued relevance on a global scale.
With such a wealth of incredible music to choose from, narrowing down our favourite bass music albums of 2024 has been no easy task. The UKF editorial team has locked in their top picks. These are the albums that have defined the year, elevated the scene, and kept us inspired. Let’s dive into the records that made 2024 truly special.
Entanglements – Alix Perez
Laurie Charlesworth
Entanglements is a gorgeous array of sounds from start to finish and hands down, my favourite album of 2025. It has all of those beautiful, deep, signature sounding Alix tracks with the likes of ‘In Your Eyes’ and ‘Dark Pulse’ with the addition, this time, of a much more summery – almost High Contrast-esque – sounding track with ‘Elastic Soul’. I’m obsessed! Alix Perez is undeniably one of the best when it comes to soul and Entanglements is a solid example of that statement.
Anima – Zar
Sam Yates
This guy was my UKF One To Watch pick at the start of 2024, and man, did he deliver. Zar’s innings was highlighted by his debut LP on Space Cadet – an incredibly soulful project themed around his Italian heritage and his current home in Manchester. He enlists a wide spread of local vocals from aya dia to DRS (and plenty more), all of whom hop on to complete the wholesome, community feel pulsing through this album. A big statement from Zar on this one; that he’s among liquid drum & bass’ elite producers.
Silence Is Loud – Nia Archives
Ant Mullholland
The debut solo album from jungle superstar Nia Archives has definitely been one for the history books. Released in April, her innovative breakbeat influenced track with pop-indie style vocals provides the electronic dance world with a revolutionary take on jungle sound design. The Britpop inspired project has been a huge hit in the British music spectrum creating a catchy feel throughout the body of work. Tracks like ‘Cards On The Table’, ‘F.A.M.I.L.Y’ and ‘Unfinished Business’ truly epitomises this indie style fusion with a rolling jungle break that both tie together innovatively. As a result, creating a multifaceted resemblance to 90’s style sounds forming into a more modern style of dance music. As one of Nia’s best singles on her discography to date, the distinctive ‘Forbidden Feelingz’ also made the cut on the album. Displaying a soulful and dynamic approach to drum’&’bass sounds. The ‘Silence Is Loud’ track itself has a futuristic feel to it, despite drawing inspiration from 90s breakbeat. Its infectious hook and 4-line lyrics has fabricated a number that’ll live long in the memory. Her voice is individual and distinctive, setting her aside from many vocalists in and around the community – enabling her to pierce the production with haunting yet enticing flare. The ‘Silence Is Loud’ album as a whole has undeniably displayed new ideas unto a scene that has been on the rise for many years now, providing listeners with a dynamism that will only leave you wanting more.
Slow – Redeyes
Sam Yates
Redeyes’ aptly titled album is a hazy summer gem. Opening at gentle cruise, Milansanger urges us to “take things slow” in his feature, before DRS and Fox tag-team on a bubbly, but leisurely production. This ebb and flow of beats at various paces continues throughout the 11 tracks, glued effortlessly together by Redeyes’ veteran style and technique. Each instrument choice is real-sounding and deliberate, giving it that throwback, rose-tinted feel. Atmospherics and spoken word from the likes of 2b.frank or aya dia wrap this up so wonderfully – you can’t really tell when one track moves into the next, even though they’re distinct. This is an end-to-end listen, bucking the streaming and social media trends that expect one-track attention spans.
Incognito Rhythm – 4am Kru
Ant Mullholland
Jungle duo 4am Kru have spearheaded a cutting-edge blueprint that have seen them become one of the most popular collectives in underground dance music. The culmination of this body of work, which came out in September, sees some of the jungle scenes’ most captivating rhythms stretching back over the last few years. Their explosive identity is pressed upon these singles creating a euphoria around them. Watching them perform songs from the album, they gain an extra dimension in their live renditions. Tracks including ‘Just Saw Johnny’ and ‘Ooh Boy’ place a hardcore inspired bite to proceedings. Whilst tunes such as ‘Real Lo Remix’ and ‘Ribena’ showcase an old school jungle nuance that has compelled a broad range of listeners, acquiring a strong and loyal following over the last few years. The single itself ‘Incognito Rhythm’ samples the iconic Little Simz vocals on her track ‘Gorilla’ and transpires in really capturing the essence of this new formula of jungle that embraces rigorous bass lines, complimenting the eloquent drum patterns. It’s important to mention that ‘Horns For 2024’ also achieves this wicked concept merged together by the London-based act. 4am Kru’s album has accurately depicted their intentions as a forward-thinking production machine who possess a truly addictive sound design. Teasing at so many more ideas for future projects that fans everywhere will, unquestionably, be keeping an eye out for.
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