When we first got word that Knife Party was made up of Rob and Gareth of Pendulum, we can't say we weren't shocked. Growing up in the drum & bass scene, we'd seen Pendulum's rise from the cream of the crop to bonafide worldwide dance music stars. It wasn't over night, but it wasn't out of the blue; the group paid their dues and reaped the rewards.
Hearing the Knife Party tracks, it came at a time where a lot of drum & bass outfits were moving towards the bass music/EDM world, but this was different. This was almost like Rob and Gareth were effectively done with drum & bass, like they'd said all they could say in that BPM and decided to explore other sounds that were moving them, allowing them to continue to crush it, creatively. And boy, have they.
Today marks the third EP in as many years from this duo, and their journey has been one of ascension. They were remixing Porter Robinson and Nero before their first EP hit the world, and have since collaborated with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Steve Aoki, Skrillex, and the Foreign Beggars. They have mastered the dirty electro house sound, but have also shown hints of dubstep, moombahton, and trap in their productions. We're hoping this isn't your first time getting to know Knife Party, but if it is, here are 10 essential tracks to help you get up to speed.
Porter Robinson - "Unison (Knife Party Remix)"
Label: OWSLA
Year: 2011
Before the release of their debut EP, 100% No Modern Talking, Knife Party's rework of "Unison" by Porter Robinson showed how intense their sound really was. That hyperactive bass was definitely steeped in the dubstep zone, but thrown into an electro house package. This one blends dark and light, funky and frightful, living up to the "Unison" name.
Nero - "Crush On You (Knife Party Remix)"
Label: More Than Alot
Year: 2011
Nero's Jets-reimagining "Crush On You" was already tops on the dancefloor, but Knife Party dwelled on the harder edge of the original, turning it into a massive drumstep beast. If you'd be hearing Knife Party dubplates before this and doubted their skills, this remix solidified the changing of the guard.
Knife Party - "Internet Friends"
Label: Earstorm
Year: 2011
When 100% No Modern Talking was released on the Knife Party Facebook page, it raked in 50,000 downloads in 12 hours. Much of that had to have been the clamoring for "Internet Friends," which is either a funky commentary on the relationships many of us have via these Internets, or a tune that just utilized a host of status updates to hilarious effect. Once homegirl tells you that you're going to die, this one takes on a life of its own. Definitive Knife Party.
And if you liked the original, you'll LOVE the VIP, which Knife Party released via their Haunted House EP:
Knife Party - "Tourniquet"
Label: Earstorm
Year: 2011
Knife Party isn't just quirky Internets storytelling though; "Touriniquet" doesn't rely on any bells and whistles - this is just balls-to-the-wall fun, electro house served with a grin on a dirty platter. Eyes closed, hands in the air is how you need to get down to this one.
Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party - "Antidote"
Label: Virgin
Year: 2011
If there was any question on the Pendulum boys' trek into EDM, "Antidote" pretty much let it be known that they'd arrived. Swedish House Mafia's short reign featured a number of big tunes, but "Antidote" was the most ferocious. Great blend of the pop side of house and the grimier side. Could Knife Party have made some SHM detractors actually dig a Swedish House Mafia track?
Knife Party - "Centipede"
Label: Earstorm
Year: 2012
Knife Party isn't just crafting electro house, though, and "Centipede" made for one of the biggest dubstep tracks in 2012. Undeniable. They brought everything they learned as drum & bass producers, and you can feel some of the vibes of the Pendulum days coming alive in the different synths and chords used in this monster.
Knife Party - "Sleaze"
Label: Earstorm
Year: 2012
100% No Modern Talking established that Knife Party was here, but Rage Valley let us know they weren't just dipping into non-dnb on a whim. So much so that they crafted a moombahton-freaking track like "Sleaze," dropping an anthem for those in the dance thagt aren't trying to go home until batons get pulled.
Foreign Beggars - "Apex"
Label: mau5trap
Year: 2012
Foreign Beggars' The Uprising album was characterized not just for the rhymes they were spitting on, but for the crop of producers they linked up with. We all know it can be one thing to make a big tune, but to work out a banger that also allows room for talented spitters to cut loose on? That's a different piece of the puzzle, and the Knife Party riddim for "Apex" marched down their heavyweight electro house zone, with the Beggars matching the track's intensity with their lyrics of fury.
Knife Party - "EDM Death Machine"
Label: Earstorm
Year: 2013
A new year, a new EP (Haunted House), and "EDM Death Machine" has an intro that contains a hilarious send-up of the current crazes in the EDM scene, even throwing some of their bigger tracks into the fire. You have to appreciate a group that makes their tunes cinematic, and one of the things you hear with Knife Party is that movie-like vibe, so consider this a mech created to destroy EDM. And upon dropping, this one gets downright UGLY!
Knife Party - "Power Glove"
Label: Earstorm
Year: 2013
Classic Nintendo accessories being referenced in hard-hitting house tracks? By title alone you should be able to understand why this is held in high regard. We're not saying this will be the sound of the next Nintendo console... but it should be. Nostalgia always works, especially when its paried with funky future beats.