Premiere: Nectax ‘Swarm Behaviour’

Nectax drops his debut album ‘A State Of Play’ via Over/Shadow this Friday. Listen to ‘Swarm Behaviour’ below.

The Newcastle artist returns to the label set up by 2 Bad Mice following 2023’s smash-hit ‘Voychek’. ‘A State Of Play’ showcases the Stereo 45 co-founder’s range and reflect the wide appetite of the modern jungle scene. Over 10 tracks he explores “the intersects between jungle and footwork, leaning into both atmospheric and club ready tracks in what I think is probably the most well rounded body of work of mine,” he told DJ Mag.

Results range from the loopy Chicago footwork of ‘Known Quantity’ to the four-to-the-floor pulse of ‘Side Quest’, garage-jungle hybrid ‘Always You’, tearout cuts ‘Edgeways’ and ‘Fugitive’, and the softer tones of the Wax Doctor-esque ‘Atlantic Drift’ and closer ‘Passing Rain’.

Living up to its insectoid name, ‘Swarm Behaviour’ is all skittery percussion and buzzing bass; a machine funk masterclass played in the slow-fast style. “‘Swarm Behaviour’ for me captures what I love about the 160 BPM realm — a melting pot of opportunities for nods to jungle, footwork and even house/techno,” Nectax said.

It continues a run which includes EPs for Nia Archives’ Up Ya Archives, DJ Flight’s play:musik, and Motive Hunter Audio, and saw him nominated for Breakthrough Producer at last year’s Best of British awards. He also featured in DJ Mag’s Recognise series.

Nectax’s ‘A State Of Play’ LP is out Friday 26th September. Pick up a copy here and listen to ‘Swarm Behaviour’ below.