Try Bandits by BTK Feat Sam Wills & Mindscape: A Drum ‘n’ Bass Joyride You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—2013 wasn’t exactly yesterday, but this little gem from Brazil's V Records still slaps harder than most playlists you’ll find on shuffle today. Try Bandits is that sneaky album that creeps up on you when you least expect it and then refuses to leave your headspace. It’s got two tracks (Try and Bandits) that are basically like caffeine shots for your ears if caffeine also made you wanna move in ways society probably deems inappropriate.
First off, Try. Oh man, this track hits different. From the jump, it’s all about those crisp breaks and basslines so thick they could double as a comforter. There’s something delightfully chaotic about how the drums stutter-step around while the synths whisper sweet nothings into your auditory cortex. I remember this one because halfway through my first listen, I nearly dropped my coffee mug mid-sip—it caught me off guard with its energy spike. Like, whoa there, buddy, slow down! But nah, it doesn’t slow down. And honestly? That’s why we love it.
Then there’s Bandits, which feels like the evil twin of Try. If the former is the life of the party, this one lurks in the corner plotting world domination (or at least domination of your playlist). The atmosphere here is darker, grittier, almost cinematic. Picture some shadowy heist movie where everyone wears leather jackets and smokes e-cigarettes dramatically—that’s Bandits. What sticks with me is how effortlessly it builds tension without ever feeling overblown. It’s moody but not mopey, intense but not exhausting. Basically, it’s the type of song you’d crank up during late-night drives just to feel cooler than you actually are.
Now, sure, the whole “feat” thing can sometimes feel like throwing random names onto a project for clout, but Sam Wills and Mindscape bring their A-game here. They mesh seamlessly with BTK’s vision, creating an EP that punches way above its weight class. Plus, coming outta Brazil adds an extra layer of intrigue—who knew São Paulo had such killer drum ‘n’ bass vibes hiding under its sleeve?
So yeah, Try Bandits might only have two tracks, but damn if they don’t pack a wallop. In a genre often flooded with forgettable loops and uninspired drops, this release stands tall like a neon-lit tower block in an otherwise sleepy neighborhood. It’s proof that good music doesn’t need to be loud or flashy—it just needs soul. Or maybe it’s proof that Brazilians secretly run the global DnB scene. Either way, check it out before someone tells you it’s “so 2013.”
Final thought: Listening to this album makes me wonder what other hidden treasures V Records has stashed away. Also, why do I suddenly want to learn Portuguese?
