by If you’re seeking a fresh sonic perspective, Focus Five Volume 89 serves as a definitive guide to the producers currently pushing boundaries. This edition highlights five distinct artists: a Swedish visionary blending minimal club energy with future bass, a Los Angeles powerhouse poised for a breakout year, an Italian craftsman of technical minimalism, a drum and bass veteran exploring the 140 landscape, and a trap innovator whose inclusion is long overdue.
Curating the Future: Focus Five Volume 89
ablon!: The Swedish Architect of Minimal Energy
ablon! first emerged as a significant talent last year with the track ‘Andas,’ which served as the final contribution to Good Dub’s THE SOUND DESIGN CLUB II compilation. While many listeners were initially drawn to the collection by established names like Leotrix, ablon! provided a standout moment that demanded attention. ‘Andas’ utilizes Swedish vocals layered over a minimal instrumental framework that prioritizes emotional resonance and movement over unnecessary complexity.
A deeper exploration of ablon!’s discography reveals a consistent mastery of minimal club energy, future bass, and trap. These elements are uniquely intertwined to create a distinct signature sound within Electronic Music. For those following the evolution of Swedish production, ablon! is an artist who cannot be overlooked.
Klo: Redefining the Los Angeles Bass Scene
Los Angeles-based producer Klo has been steadily ascending with a style that seamlessly bridges 140, UKG, and bass house. Her collaboration with SVDKO, ‘ROUND N’ ROUND,’ serves as a masterclass in modern bass production, combining infectious vocals with intricate percussion and aggressive basslines. Klo’s ability to balance high-energy club tracks with more melodic, reese-driven atmospheres—as seen in ‘SAY SOMETHING’—demonstrates her versatility.
Beyond her original compositions, Klo has gained significant traction through a series of high-quality flips, reworking tracks from artists like JT and Fred again.. With growing support from the biggest names in Bass Music and a rapidly expanding social media presence, Klo is positioned to be a dominant force throughout 2026.
HLRTY: The Italian Craftsman of Technical Minimalism
HLRTY (pronounced Hilarity) is a Palermo-born, Bologna-based artist who views himself more as a craftsman than a traditional producer. Closely associated with COIDO, HLRTY approaches club music with a technical precision that avoids the pitfalls of over-complication. His work is an exercise in minimalism, where every element is intentional and serves to express his personal identity and cultural experiences.
In a fragmented Italian bass scene, HLRTY stands out as a visionary. He is a co-founder of the *asterisco collective, which recently released the ITAITAITA compilation. This project showcases HLRTY alongside other Italian innovators, highlighting a movement that prioritizes structural integrity and emotional depth over genre constraints.
LEWP: From Drum & Bass Mastery to 140 Innovation
While LEWP has long been a respected figure within the UK Drum & Bass community, his recent explorations into the 140 BPM range have revealed a new dimension to his artistry. His track ‘Energy’ is a standout example, transforming iconic vocal samples into a blistering anthem characterized by snapping drums, beastly horns, and aggressive basslines.
LEWP’s versatility is further evidenced by his liquid DnB flip of Sampha’s ‘Too Much,’ which offers a more melodic and minimal groove. Whether he is producing high-octane club tracks or refined grime flips—such as his recent work with JME—LEWP continues to demonstrate why he is a vital voice in the UK electronic scene.
Raucous: Shattering the Trap Ceiling
Raucous has spent years refining a sound that pushes the boundaries of electronic trap. With releases on respected platforms like Partica Artist Group and Dumb Collective, he has proven himself to be a master of complexity and “ear candy.” His work is defined by a constant evolution, ensuring that every release offers a fresh and unpredictable experience for the listener.
From the violent energy of his recent track ‘PUMP IT’ to his earth-shattering tribute to LYNY’s ‘fire,’ Raucous is an artist who consistently delivers high-impact results. Despite being underrated for far too long, his dedication to the craft is undeniable. As he continues to rise to the top of the scene, Raucous is an artist whose name will undoubtedly become a staple in the trap and bass community.
