We’re EXEA — a producer–singer duo releasing our upcoming EP on Soulvent Records this November, and we’re excited to share our top ten emotional drum & bass tracks with you.
Since we’re two very different souls within one sound, we each picked five songs that resonate deeply with us, from introspective moments to late-night catharsis.
Erik’s Picks
Noisia – Could This Be
Pure, growing, cleansing — this track feels like an emotional rebirth through sound. It builds patiently, constantly expanding until it erupts with purpose. There’s something cyclical about it, almost like a “circle of life” in sonic form. The music video shows this beautifully — a plane crash, an explosion, and then a tree growing from the ashes. It’s a reminder that destruction often births new beginnings, that everything happens for a reason, and that there’s always growth waiting at the end of chaos.
Halogenix – Independent
A beautiful mix of soul and tech, but what really struck me was how guiding this track felt. It was one of those moments where you hear something and suddenly see a path forming in front of you. It influenced a lot of what EXEA’s sound would later become — clean, detailed, emotional, and modern. I almost see this track as a mentor; it gave me direction and reminded me how balance between feeling and precision can shape identity.
Imanu – Noir (Bop Remix)
Dreamy late-night drive energy — floating under the stars with no destination needed. This remix introduced me to Bop for the first time, and I’ve been a huge admirer ever since. His approach to sound is lush, patient, and somehow alien yet familiar. There’s novelty in the way this track feels — like stepping into a new emotional landscape of drum & bass I hadn’t experienced before. It’s music that exists for the journey itself, not for the arrival.
Matrix & Futurebound ft. Luke Bingham – All I Know
This song takes me back to the early days when I first started discovering drum & bass through Call of Duty montages. One of those videos featured this exact track, and it just stuck with me. It brought a sense of playfulness and energy that I still associate with music-making today. The connection between visuals and sound — adrenaline and melody — inspired me to explore how emotion can live even in the most high-energy tracks. It was one of those “this is what I want to do” moments
Wilkinson ft. iiola – Close Your Eyes
That feeling of letting go — freeing yourself from worry and just trusting the moment. A friend of mine showed me this track and said, “Why don’t you make something like this?” But honestly, Wilkinson and iiola just nailed this sound so perfectly that I didn’t want to touch it. It’s one of those tracks that you don’t analyze or recreate — you simply enjoy it for what it is. Emotional yet effortless, it reminds me to sometimes just listen without needing to create.
Emma’s Picks
The Caracal Project – Stone Cold
One of my favorites in terms of how the main vocals blend so smoothly with the female vocal harmonies and those buttery ad-libs. I tend to listen to this one when I need to focus — it just puts me in the perfect mood. It’s melancholic but strangely empowering at the same time.
Sleepnet – Love No More
This song tears me apart every time. It’s incredible how hard the whole concept hits with just one line: “You make my heart love no more.” Those words, paired with the distorted melody and punchy drums, perfectly capture the feeling of emotional numbness. It’s simplicity at its most devastating.
Tom Finster – The Hole
Tom has one of my favorite voices when it comes to emotional lyrics and melancholic melodies in DnB and electronic music. This song perfectly describes a broken heart — that feeling of not being able to move on because you literally feel a hole in your chest. I love when songwriters can convey so much with so little, and this track is a masterclass in that. The massive drop hits right in the face, and the outro? Pure emotion.
Pola & Bryson ft. Charli Brix – How It Was
A recent favourite on my workout playlist. Charli’s vocals are probably my favourite in the DnB scene — the way she carries every line so smoothly makes you want to keep listening on repeat. I could hear her sing anything, but paired with the legendary sound of Pola & Bryson, it’s a match made in heaven. My favourite line: “And I’m tired, uninspired, my expectations are out of reach.” Beautifully written.
Hoax ft. Zitah – What You Came Here For
I’m always down for a well-made DnB rendition of an R&B classic, and this one nails it — the perfect melody, perfect production, voice, and lyrics. I’m a big fan of punchy, heavier drums, and when they’re paired with vocals this strong, it makes my day. The two parts of the song almost feel like my two personalities: one deeply soulful, and the other raw, direct, and unapologetically rhythmic.
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