Before Our Time / Future Is Not Set by DomUnique: A Jungle Gem from '95 That Still Hits
Alright, let’s talk about Before Our Time / Future Is Not Set by DomUnique. This little slice of UK jungle goodness dropped in 1995 on the mysterious "Not On Label," and it's one of those releases that sneaks up on you like a shadow in the rave. It’s raw, unpolished, and dripping with attitude—basically everything you want from jungle back when the scene was still figuring itself out.
First off, “Future Is Not Set” is an absolute banger. The track kicks in with these skittering breakbeats that feel like they’re trying to outrun something—or maybe chase it, who knows? There’s this eerie synth line weaving through the chaos, giving off major dystopian vibes. You can almost picture some grainy VHS footage of abandoned warehouses while listening to it. What sticks with me most is how unpredictable it feels; just when you think you’ve got its rhythm pinned down, it flips into another gear. Jungle at its core is all about tension and release, and this track nails that balance perfectly. Honestly, I’d slap this on anytime I need to remind myself why electronic music used to be dangerous.
Then there’s “Back In Our Time,” which hits different but equally hard. Where “Future Is Not Set” is all frantic energy, this one leans more nostalgic (despite the title being kinda cryptic). The bassline here is pure filth—deep, wobbling, and ready to rattle your chest cavity if you crank the volume high enough. And those chopped-up vocal samples? They’re so fleeting you barely catch them before they disappear again, leaving you leaning in closer to hear what they’ll say next. It’s hypnotic without ever getting boring, and every time I listen, I find myself zoning out, lost somewhere between the beats.
What makes this EP stand out isn’t just the production—it’s the vibe. DomUnique didn’t overthink things here. These tracks are stripped-back yet full of character, like someone threw paint at a canvas and ended up creating a masterpiece by accident. Sure, the mastering might not hold up to today’s polished standards, but honestly? That’s part of the charm. This is jungle as it should be: gritty, experimental, and alive.
Here’s the thing though—listening to this now feels weirdly comforting. Like, we’re living in a world where algorithms decide what music we “like,” and playlists dominate our listening habits. But albums like Before Our Time / Future Is Not Set remind us that sometimes the best stuff comes from nowhere, made by people who probably didn’t care if anyone listened. Maybe that’s why it sticks with me. Or maybe it’s just because I really miss hearing proper basslines shake my speakers.
Either way, give this one a spin if you’re tired of cookie-cutter EDM and craving something real. Oh, and fun fact: apparently no one knows much about DomUnique beyond this release. Makes you wonder if they were some studio wizard messing around for kicks or just a random genius who vanished after hitting record once. Whatever the case, props to them for dropping something timeless without even breaking a sweat.
