Bass For Your Face: 15 Songs That Will Blow Your Speakers

Traditionally, the bass is an unsung hero. It's a song's glue, holding everything together with a steady hand and predictable, in-key progressions. Bass is the chill friend, the one who's always down to stay in and watch a movie.

But every once in a while, the bass gets its chance to wile out. There are rare moments when the rules of equalization are thrown out the window and the bass takes center stage, booming out of the depths to rattle your teeth and palpitate your heart. Of course, we can't just drop you in the middle of a deep bass zone—this is a process that demands easing. Here are 15 songs with increasingly devastating bass.

Turn up your speakers and warn your friends and neighbors—things are about to get messy.

Producer: El-P

Though it may be the first song on our list, RTJ sets the tone here with some raw, rattling bass. Zack de la Rocha adds an incredible guest verse, and classically crunchy El-P production brings things to Rage Against The Machine levels of intensity. The rock infusion gives "Close Your Eyes" a savage aural intensity that's rarely seen in hip-hop.

El-P and Killer Mike are always pushing boundaries, and they're pushing eardrum capabilities too with the low-end on this track.

Producer: Illangelo and Mano

The Weeknd brings the smoothest song on this list, but "The Hills" proves smooth doesn't have to mean soft.

Illangelo and Mano's production provides a sultry foundation for Abel's vocals, and while the verses are restrained, just wait until you get to that first chorus. This is the bass for between the party and the afterparty: equal parts pumped up and wavy.

Hopefully your journey isn't a rough as Abel's in the video, but that moment when the bass drops and the car explodes is pretty incredible.

Producer: Mumdance

This track is such a perfect example of how to use bass effectively: namely, give it space and let the rumbles go to work.

"1 Sec" is about 99% bass and atmosphere, and it works so well. It's murky, and slightly scary, but most importantly, the bass always sounds good. Just when you're starting to slip into complacency, it's there to boom out from the depths to take things to the next level.

Producer: Ramsay Tha Great

When the bass drops at the start of "Costa Rica," you know something wild is about to happen. It's heavy but not so heavy that it makes you wince, a bass-heavy party track that balances the low with some high-end adrenaline.

It's mid-level intensity, a perfect track to ease you into the bass obliteration levels coming later in this list. Put this on at the pregame, get hyped and feel like you're in Costa Rica.

Producer: Kanye West, Velous, French Montana, Puff Daddy and Charlie Heat

Though everyone still wishes they got the same adrenaline rush from the studio version as they did from the infamous BRITs performance, the bass on "All Day" still has as much impact as bringing a mob and flamethrower on stage.

And to be honest, there were probably more people working on the track then on stage at the BRITs, so it works. Turn it up, bask in the bass and ponder how Kanye managed to make the mundane phrase “All Day” into the perfect answer to any question.

Producer: Mystry

UK grime has some of the best basslines in the game, and “Pulse 8” is case in point. Whether it's the grim weather or the stiff upper lips, there's definitely something about the UK that makes bass grittier, darker and more intense.

Without that beat, even JME would have trouble sounding cool rapping about Lush. Got to shout him out for the most convincing argument for going vegan though, so go eat some vegetables and turn this up.

Producer: Hudson Mohawke

Beyond all the hyperactive monster energy-fueled glittery synths on this track—and the fact that most people first heard this on an Apple ad—“Chimes” has some serious bass.

But this being a HudMo track, that shouldn't exactly be surprising: at this point he's almost a master of the drop. But the song doesn't center around the face-melt—"Chimes" has enough variety to keep you excited for each drop, and each bass frequency hits harder than the last.

Producer: Nez and Rio

Screeching sirens and heavy bass is the best combo. Ever since the teaser for "LPFJ2" (in the "Multiply" video), everyone wanted to dance like Yung Gleesh while fireworks went off around them.

There's something so mighty about that bassline, and when you hear that intro siren go off, you know exactly what's about to go down.

Producer: Lil Silva

Another track with a light start that doesn't quite prepare you for just how heavy things are about to get.

Just when you think you know where the song is going, it lifts off to another level entirely. If the DJ's not playing stuff like Lil Silva, you're at the wrong club, mate.

Producer: P. Morris

This remix takes the original, chews it up, and spits it right back in your face. It's a full arsenal of drops and bass hits, all with Rihanna snarling over the proceedings like a next-level ringmaster.

P. Morris manages to out this already heavy track into overdrive by going against convention and slowing things down. Rihanna should take notice and get P. Morris to produce one of her tracks ASAP.

Producer: Shlohmo

Shlohmo's stuff has been getting heavier and heavier, culminating with his latest album, Dark Red. This is late night, zone out, after-party bass. The low end is always there, creeping along, deeper and darker, but it reaches its full intensity on "Buried" when the electric guitar comes in.

The video is the perfect satanic accompaniment to this deep, underground feeling. Zone out, listen and watch, by the end you'll be feeling like this.

Producer: Boi-1da, Frank Dukes, and TM88

This is bass ALMOST at it's heaviest. Some of the later songs are going to make you want to die—"Nothing But Net" will just make you want to party.

The energy in this track is something we've come to expect from La Flame, but that bass is so deep, you won't know if it's the track or an earthquake shaking the floor beneath your feet. Straight bass. Straight up.

Producer: DJ Rashad and Spinn

The fastest and objectively craziest song of the list. This track has everything from double-timed bass, half-timed subs and pitched down bass-y vocals.

Rashad is one of the gifted few to be able to work in bass on so many levels. If you're lucky enough to see people dance to this, you'll see what kind of affect it can have. For now though, sit back, break it down, roll it up, pass that shit, what the fuck...

Producer: Marvin "Hagler" Thomas

Vince Staples has made a specialty out of menacing production and deep bass, but the combination of the earth-shattering low end and air raid sirens on "Blue Suede" is insane.

Staple's flow is smooth as ever, but the drone of the bass is almost catchier than his hook, that's how good it is. Turn this up to really get the full impact of the track and feel it in your chest.

Producer: Kahn

Probably the most appropriate song title ever, "Abattoir” will crush you with its devestating weight. It's another hard hitter from the UK with the type of bass that can only be described as relentless.

The track as a whole is deeply ominous. It's made for dark, dark nights. If you've listened to the list up to this point, take caution and prepare yourself for the intensity and imminent face-melting from Kahn.