Redemptive returns to Dispatch Recordings with the immersive Breathe In EP, a four-track journey through atmospheric, synth-driven drum and bass. We caught up with him to discuss the spark behind the release, his evolving creative process and the balance between emotion and dancefloor energy that defines his sound.

What was the creative spark that set the Breathe In EP in motion, and how did the four tracks come together into a unified project?
When I create dnb, I love to create an atmospheric soundscape and there’s a certain sound that I’ve released on Dispatch before, together with Zombie Cats, so it made perfect sense to pitch some of the same style of tracks to Ant TC1 who then as you can guess, really liked the tunes and decided on the collection of the 4 that make up the EP.

You have been praised for blending nostalgia with a forward-thinking edge. How consciously do you strike that balance when writing, and what influences shaped it this time around?
There’s a certain timelessness in Drum & Bass and I keep discovering new music, methods and writings in both directions that create a bigger understanding of the genre as a whole for me. I’m very interested in sound design, and you can hear that in my tunes in how they are very synth influenced. Finding a way to keep that classic touch that we all relate to, while injecting it with my own new ideas, is probably where the balance lies for me. The last two years it’s been a lot of early jungle and atmospheric jungle that has been influencing the way I work with pads and texture.

When writing this EP, what kind of environment or tools helped you find the right flow in the studio? Was there anything new you tried in your process?
A view of the ocean with my laptop does a great job! Overall I love to play with breakbeats and to see if I can make some great fills, which is very Dispatch-esque. For Arcane Mantra, I had my girlfriend next to me, that definitely gave it that “charm”.

The title Breathe In feels evocative. What does it represent for you, both musically and personally?
I started the track Breathe In while I was away to visit my brother, who lives right by the ocean. So it was a moment of being away from the normal, a moment to breathe in and recollect yourself. Sometimes we need to take that deep breath so that we can think clearly and grasp what our focus is. Musically, that would mean to really consider what it is that I want with what I do, what are my ambitions and what can I stand up for. Be true to yourself and be so by taking the time to reflect.

Dispatch is a label with a rich legacy in deeper drum and bass. How did your relationship with Ant TC1 and the label begin, and what does releasing here mean to you?
Right on, big respect for Dispatch! I’m very happy to be part of this legacy and to inject my own sound with this release. I first got in contact through the Centauri / Slipped singles that I released together with Zombie Cats, who had released an album prior to those singles, so a shout out to Zombie Cats for paving the way for me and Ant TC1 to connect and work together.

Looking at your wider catalogue, how do you feel this EP reflects your progression as a producer compared to earlier releases?
As an artist, I’ve always kept my sound, but with this EP in particular, my sound has a much more techy and deep approach. I’ve matured over the years in the way that I can grasp and understand all the intricate details of Drum & Bass as a musical form, to both enjoy and to craft.

Many listeners highlight the emotional quality of your productions. How do you channel feeling and atmosphere into music without losing dancefloor impact?
I’ve always had a bouncy sound. I like to make tunes that have their place in the rave, but also work when you’re chilling at home. Musicality injected into the more dancefloor-esque tunes always creates this immersion and feeling. Personally, any tune can be atmospheric and evoke feelings, whether it’s soft or hard, so it’s all about figuring out what best brings the exact idea to light and makes it shine.

What role do you see for liquid and deep drum and bass in today’s scene, especially in contrast with harder-edged sounds that dominate certain spaces?
I think there will always be a big love for both liquid and deep and all the corners of it. It’s hard to find a sound that’s identical to it, and it occupies the role of creating an atmosphere where you can be lost in thought, get a certain vibe and just have it pleasant. We have a high BPM and yet it is incredibly chill. It’s easy to get into for those that haven't heard it before, as it touches on so many nuances. I remember hearing Halogenix live at Let it Roll and the unique experience was how well crafted his shakers and shuffles are, and you hear this across the liquid scope, the drumwork is incredible. All the layers and timbres are so perfectly put together.

Outside of this release, what projects, collaborations or directions are you exploring next?
I have a bunch of collabs with various artists that I can’t just share yet. Besides that, I’ve got some new magical tunes with Zombie Cats and some solo tracks as well. I’m definitely exploring my own sound further as it’s such a journey to hear and see where it goes. I’m absolutely loving the path that I’m on and I’m so happy to have my music heard and received by the scene. Furthermore, I can also share that there’s a specific remix of me landing on Dispatch later this year, so that’s also awesome!

And finally… if you could take just one drum and bass track, by any artist from any era, to a desert island, what would it be and why?
Dawn Wall - Rain God, no doubt. This tune is to me a piece of art. All the elements are so magically put together and create such a beautiful piece of music. Plus I’d need it to control the rain gods!

With Breathe In, Redemptive adds another deep, melodic chapter to his journey with Dispatch Recordings. His passion for texture and emotion remains unmistakable, proof that drum and bass can move both body and mind in equal measure.