VA - Future Bubblers 5​.​0 (2021) [Hi-Res]

The 5th edition of the Future Bubblers compilation. An expansion of Gilles Peterson’s network supported by Arts Council England, the ongoing talent discovery and artist development scheme focuses on developing unsigned talent and building audiences for new left-field music.

With support from PRS Foundation as Talent Development Partners, the professional recording, manufacturing and physical release of Future Bubblers 5.0 is made possible. Unlike any other initiatives within music, the compilation acts as a springboard for the musician’s careers with the cooperative model providing direct revenue to the artists by a share of the profits resulting in a sustainable income to work from. Previous Future Bubblers include artists such as Yazmin Lacey, Skinny Pelembe, MC Snowy, Forest Law and Kayla Painter to name a few.

The 9 track compilation is a musically diverse collection of tracks, fusing genres that span across Electronic, Alt-R&B, Alt-Hip-Hop, Spoken Word, Neo-Soul, Jazz and beyond. Opening the project, Magoya showcases their hyperactive energy on ‘The Most Beautiful Lie’, exploring his electronic meets Folk soundscape. Demonstrating his sonic aesthetic, Mark Cake combines layered saxophone compositions on ‘Hoon’. Up next, Singer/Songwriter Ella Knight highlights her diverse vocal range in the emotive track ‘It Don’t Matter’ whilst NeOne The Wonderer’s Rap-infused, introspective ‘Nose Dive’ is dedicated to exploring the challenges of normality. Nottingham-based Conrad Ellis delivers an Electronic-meets-Funk vibe on ‘Make It Last’ before Damos Room create a dubby soundstorm on ‘Soft Bodied’. Switching things up, Shakira Allenyne’s reflective ‘Floating Soul’ is led by her atmospheric vocals followed by Birmingham songstress Madi Saskia’s soulful, affection-filled ‘Fast Or Slow’. Rounding off the compilation nicely is Griz-O and JSSO Project’s epic ‘Tabou’ Remix which perfectly combines elements of electronic and rap.

Spanning just under 40 minutes, Future Bubblers 5.0 is an extremely impressive assemblage of talent who have all delivered top-shelf singles. Released both digitally and on vinyl, the compilation embodies the spirit of the musicians as well as the team behind Future Bubblers.