In Conversation with Magnetude: Crafting Cinematic Drama with ‘Muleta’

Magnetude are no strangers to high-impact storytelling through sound. With a style that fuses cinematic tension, razor-sharp sound design and ferocious dancefloor intent, the transnational duo have carved out a unique voice in the modern neurofunk space. Their latest single Muleta, released via Evolution Chamber, pushes this vision further—blending Spanish and Latin influences into a track that plays out like a bullfight in audio form. From intense melodic phrasing to meticulous tension-building, Muleta is both a love letter to a culture and a precision-engineered banger designed for the rave. We caught up with Magnetude to unpack the track’s origins, the studio journey behind it, and how they continue to push boundaries within their sound.

Muleta has an unmistakable Spanish influence running through it, from the melodies to the intensity of the arrangement. What inspired you to explore this sound, and how did you bring it to life in the studio?

Rustam: Thank you so much for having us. We’ve always loved Spanish and Mexican music and culture, so bringing that Latin vibe into neuro just felt right. The energy, the melodies, and the intensity of the arrangement all played a huge role in shaping the foundations of Muleta.

James: This track was a journey—The initial idea all the way up to the final completed product took around 2.5 years. We never rush to finish a track; instead, we take breaks and come back with fresh ears. Rustam came up with the original core melody that sparked the initial concept, which you can hear right at the beginning.

Rustam: It actually went through three completely different versions before we landed on the final one. On the fourth attempt, everything just clicked. But that’s pretty standard for us—we experiment a lot, constantly refining our tracks, sometimes making drastic changes to the overall idea until we find the right vibe that truly represents the concept we envision.

James: Yeah, we often revisit and reshape our music based on our mood or how the idea evolves over time. If a track starts to feel outdated, we’re not afraid to rebuild it from the ground up. That process played a huge role in Muleta—we kept tweaking and refining until it truly embodied the energy we wanted.

Your productions often have a strong cinematic feel, and Muleta is no exception—it sounds like the soundtrack to a high-stakes duel. How do you approach storytelling through your music, and what kind of narrative were you aiming to create with this track?

Rustam: That’s a really good question. We’re always exploring different concepts, pushing our musical skills, and testing our boundaries. For us, storytelling through music isn’t just about melodies or arrangement—it’s about building an entire world within a track. We want the listener to feel immersed, like they’re stepping into an audible scene, whether it’s a high-stakes duel, a chase, or something deeply painful and emotional.

James Yeah, and to make that happen, we leave no stone unturned. Every detail matters, from subtle background elements to the way tension builds and releases. The details are just as important as the composition itself and vice versa. 

Rustam: This helps to shape the mood and intensity of our tracks, making them feel cinematic. It’s all about taste and intuition, and we’ve found that this approach brings more life to the story. Muleta, in particular, was about capturing that sense of drama—like you’re right in the middle of an intense showdown.

James: With Muleta, we wanted the track to have a positive but aggressive feel—something that keeps the listener on edge.

Rustam: Exactly. Take bullfights, for example—they’re a form of entertainment where the audience is there to enjoy the spectacle, but there’s also a deep sense of drama and intensity. We really wanted the listener to feel as if they’re sitting in the auditorium, watching it all unfold, while the track itself represents the show.

There’s a real sense of drama and tension throughout Muleta, especially in the way the track builds. Can you talk us through the production process and how you crafted that intensity?

Rustam: You wouldn’t believe the amount of Spanish and Latin music we listened to while creating Muleta. We really wanted to pay homage to the sound and energy of these genres, so we dove deep into mariachi, reggaeton, and a range of Mexican and Latin American styles. It wasn’t just about borrowing elements—it was about truly understanding the feel and intensity of the music so we could translate that into our own sound.

James: Yeah, we went down so many rabbit holes and listened to everything from Salsa to Grupos Tropicales to Mariachi de Tecalitlán all the way to Son Istmeño. One of the ways we built that tension was through the intro. We designed it as a “false buildup,” creating a sense of anticipation that lures the listener into a false sense of security. So when the drop finally hits, it lands in a completely unexpected way, making the impact even stronger. That contrast between expectation and reality adds to the drama and keeps the energy unpredictable.

Rustam: It was all about layering the right elements—whether it was rhythmic influences from Latin music, dramatic melody shifts, or dynamic shifts in intensity. Every detail played a role in crafting that cinematic, high-stakes atmosphere. As mentioned previously, the main goal was to make the listener feel that they’re a spectator watching from the auditorium, feeling the tension rise with every second.

Evolution Chamber has built a reputation for pushing forward-thinking drum and bass. How has being part of the label influenced your creative approach?

James: From the very beginning, Evolution Chamber was built to be more than just a label—it’s a creative space where artists have complete freedom to express themselves. We’ve always wanted to enable, support, and encourage each other to push boundaries and reach our true potential. That’s what makes this label special—there’s no pressure to conform, only a drive to innovate.

Rustam: Yeah, and what really sets EC apart is the diversity of sounds within the label. Everyone has their own unique style, so when we share ideas, critique each other’s work, or even just discuss music in general, we get everyone’s different perspectives that open up new creative possibilities. It’s not just about releasing tracks—it’s about refining and evolving them in ways we might not have considered on our own.

James: It’s also a space where taking what people call - creative “risks” doesn’t feel like a risk at all. The environment we’ve built gives everyone the confidence to experiment because you know you won’t be talked out of trying something different—in fact, you’ll be encouraged to go even further with it. That sense of security and artistic trust is rare, and it makes all the difference in how we and we hope everyone within the camp approaches writing music.

Rustam: Yeah, having that kind of support system is invaluable. When you’re surrounded by artists who genuinely push and inspire each other, it brings out the best in your creativity. EC isn’t just a label—it’s a collective of forward-thinking musicians who are all in this together, and that’s what makes it such an awesome place to be.

Your music has always had a global feel, pulling in influences from different cultures and genres. What draws you to these sounds, and how do you decide which elements to bring into your productions?

Rustam: For us, it all boils down to the concept—what we want to express and what sounds feel necessary to bring that vision to life. We’re constantly inspired by movies, series, and all kinds of music. That exposure makes us think, wouldn’t it be cool to implement a specific genre or cultural influence into drum and bass? We’re always searching for ideas that haven’t been explored, and if they have, we aim to put our own unique spin on them.

James: A lot of our tracks are also inspired by our own life experiences—situations we’ve been in or even just the mood we’re in at the time. That personal connection helps us shape the atmosphere and storytelling of a track. Sometimes, it’s about blending contrasting elements, like cinematic orchestration with heavy neuro basslines, or bringing in unexpected influences from world music to create something fresh.

Rustam: Of course, there are essential foundations—like you can’t make drum and bass without drums, obviously—but beyond that, the possibilities are endless. The challenge is figuring out how to make different influences work together in a way that still feels cohesive within the genre.

James: Exactly. We don’t just throw in elements for the sake of it; every little sound needs to serve a purpose. It’s about making something that feels natural yet unexpected. That’s what keeps the creative process exciting—constantly searching for our “next fix” and seeing how far we can take an idea while still making it hit hard on the dancefloor.

Magnetude tracks always feel designed for maximum impact on the dancefloor. How much do you think about the live experience when producing, and what kind of reaction are you hoping for with Muleta?

James: When creating a track, we road-test our ideas at venues to gauge crowd reactions—it’s one of the best ways to understand how a track truly hits on a PA and in a live setting. Of course, we make music for ourselves first, but at the end of the day, the real judge, jury, and executioner of if the idea works, are the people on the dancefloor. Seeing how a crowd responds in real-time gives us valuable feedback and helps us refine the final version.

Rustam: Yeah, and at the same time, we don’t let external validation dictate our creative process. We have a mindset that if we’re happy with the final product, we can let it go freely. If it resonates with people, that’s an amazing feeling. If it doesn’t? That’s just part of the journey. Every track we put out is like giving a piece of ourselves to the world. It’s personal. When you step out into the world, you wear what makes you feel comfortable—some will love your style, others might not, but what matters is that you feel good in it. Music is the same way.

James: Ultimately, music is a release—for us as artists and for the people who experience it. A track isn’t just a collection of sounds; it’s an emotion, a memory waiting to be made. Whether it shakes the walls of a festival stage or just resonates with one person on a deep level, that’s what makes it meaningful. And in the end, that’s why we do it.

The drum and bass landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. What excites you most about where the genre is headed, and where do you see your sound fitting into that evolution?

James: Drum & bass is constantly evolving, and that’s what makes it such an exciting genre. But to be honest, for us, we try to keep a certain distance from so-called “trends”. It’s quite easy to get caught up in what’s currently “in”. Instead, we try to focus on pushing our own creative boundaries, and shape our sound in a way that feels genuine. If that makes sense?

Rustam: Originality to us, is everything. Every artist has their own path, and for us, it’s about making music that reflects what we genuinely connect with. That doesn’t mean shutting ourselves off from new sounds or influences—we’re always inspired by the creativity happening around us. But instead of focusing on fitting into a certain space, we try to approach things in a way that allows our sound to evolve naturally and organically.We’re both firm believers that the most impactful music comes from musicians who stay true to their own vision.

James: Rather than thinking about where we fit into the evolution, we see ourselves as trying to contribute to the wider conversation of music. Every artist adds their own perspective, and that’s what keeps the genre moving forward and fresh. We’re excited to keep experimenting, discovering new ideas, and hopefully bringing something meaningful to the table.

Rustam: At the end of the day, we want our music to be sincere and pure. Some sounds fade out as quickly as they emerge, but the ones that come from a place of authenticity? Those are the ones that leave a lasting impact.

What’s next for Magnetude? Can fans expect more releases, collaborations, or live shows in the near future?

Rustam: We’ve been deep in the process of wrapping up a mountain of music, and it feels amazing to finally start sharing what we’ve been working on. Our next release is already finished, sent off to our distributor and set to drop in May, and we’ve got even more lined up for July, August, and September. It’s shaping up to be a huge year for us!

James: We’re also planning a special free download later this year—but there’s a twist: it won’t be drum & bass. On top of that, we’re gearing up to announce some huge shows in the coming months. And we’re also planning our reunion soon!

For those who might be discovering Magnetude for the first time through Muleta, how would you describe what you bring to the world of drum and bass?

James: At our core, we’re just two guys who connected through the internet in 2010 and found a deep connection through music, even when the world keeps trying to keep us physically apart. But, no matter the distance, our creative bond has always been strong, and that’s what defines Magnetude. Every track we write is more than just sound—it’s a storyline, an emotional roller coaster built with intensity and comes straight from our hearts.

Rustam: We want our music to take listeners on a journey—one that excites, surprises, and moves them. Whether it’s through cinematic elements, heavy drops, or raw emotion, we try to create experiences, not just tracks. If Muleta is your first introduction to us, we welcome you with open arms and appreciate you taking the time to hear us.

Huge thanks to Magnetude for taking the time to speak with us. Muleta is out now via Evolution Chamber—make sure to check it out, and keep your ears peeled for more from the duo across what’s shaping up to be a massive year ahead.