Monstercat is probably my favorite independent label there exists, and with almost every release being supremely good, it’s hard to decide on a favorite from each compilation. But Mazare’s new track with Runn makes the job a hundred times easier, easily winning the spot of my favorite Monstercat track of 2019 (to date).

When I first found out about Mazare, it was back in 2017 (yes, it’s been two years since 2017!). As I was scrolling through my YouTube feed, I chanced upon his track with famous ghost producer Maarten Vorwerk and Matthew Steeper. I fortunately decided to give it a listen, and You’re The One has since remained one of my favorite songs of all time (also part of my Melodic Masterpieces playlist). Since this release, I have kept my radar tuned on him, and he’s put out a couple of remixes for Seven Lions and Haliene.

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A couple of weeks ago, Mazare announced his first single in two years (since You’re The One) with one of my favorite budding vocalists, Runn, called Where Do We Go. She’s skyrocketed through the EDM scene through viral collaborations with melodic bass maestros Seven Lions (my Tune of the Year 2018) as well as Illenium (as part of his stunning Awake album). She’s also released tunes with the likes of Dabin, Bear Grillz and William Black. She continues with this streak of fantastic collaborators with Mazare, in a debut Monstercat release for both the artists.

I asked the Italian producer a few days ago about what I could expect from the track. Would it be Muzzy-styled DnB or something similar to the future bass bliss in You’re The One? His answer – “It’s going to be … in between the two.”

I was left perplexed at that point, because how on Earth can you combine those two genres? But having heard the track (a dozen times already), it’s apparent that he’s done the impossible. With the first drop a melodic DnB one, and the second switching up the drum patterns to the trap/future bass genres, Where Do We Go is centered around Mazare’s drum and bass territory, but explores the melodic bass world too.

If you want to know more about how he made this song, check out his Instagram post, where he details the process step by step.

The track begins by directly moving into a dense, vocal section with drum loops tapping at Runn’s angelic voice in the background. While the chord progression is clearly noticeable, the highlight of this vocal part is by far the topline. Give it just a couple of listens, and you can’t help but sing along. A gentle, almost subconscious buildup raises the energy for the percussion-dominated drop, as the drums boom precisely through the mix – just as they should in a drum and bass tune. Runn’s influence extends into the drop too, as the four words in the title of the song echo throughout the seconds of climax.

As volume gradually diminishes into the break, you hear hints of the melodic bass influences through the drum sequences that back the next vocal section, which are trap styled rather than DnB. But, the backing is so light that you’ll only subconsciously register it. It prepares you for the melodic bass drop that’s to follow.

And it’s this second drop which goes to show the influence that rhythm can play. The same percussional elements, the same melody – just a different drum pattern. As opposed to DnB, melodic bass is well know for hitting you straight in the feels. The extra emphasis on the kicks gets you more involved in the tune too. It’s an added burst of energy which gets you even more pumped.

If there was one salient element which I had to ascribe the nostalgia and whirlwind of emotions harnessed within this song, it would the be the warm sound design. Many aspiring artists will be able to tell you that the warm, fuzzy sound comes through boosting the mid-basses, but it’s really hard to make it this perfect. Mazare has taken the time to tweak not only the leads but even the atmospheric pads to fit this general theme of the bubbly, euphoric sound, which is easily discernible throughout the track. While this timbre of sound is very common in DnB (and festival progressive house too), it’s quite rare to hear in melodic bass (which conventionally favors a more high-end biased mix), which is why the twist in the second drop makes the song all the more enjoyable.

Of course, this track wouldn’t nearly be as blissfully wonderful as it is without Runn. In all of her past collaborations and features, it’s clear that it’s not only her voice, but also the catchy toplines and wonderful lyrics which elevate the track to the next level. And that’s the reason why you’ll hear her voice playing its wistful magic throughout a very large portion of each of her songs. She manages to conjure up melodically memorable toplines as you can clearly hear in not only here, but even in Calling You Home (w/ Seven Lions) and Take Me (w/ William Black & Matte), which are made all the more meaningful through the lyrics they convey.

Where Do We Go is a piece about a uncertain and faltering point in a relationship – to which Runn pleads and ponders moving forward. Runn’s inflections and dynamics convey these emotions so effectively, especially before the drops when her voice rises just a bit higher with a tinge of anguish. The pre-chorus and chorus have a lot of short phrases rising and falling in succession, which mirror one of my favorite Monstercat releases from Rameses B & Aruna called Ready To Go. “Where do we go, where do we go from here” is probably what you’ll be humming tomorrow. Runn talks about pushing through hesitance with hope and devotion as her voice lilts high above the backing pads.

Quite honestly, the only non-positive comment I can make about this track is that I could have seen Mazare incorporate the barely audible vocal chops in the outro to the song – which sound a lot like something out of a dance-pop track – into one of the drops. But then again, the drops were different, extraordinarily unique and creative, so there’s really no cause to complain. I’ve also never heard an outro this long, but no doubt it’s just to give you time while you’re reeling from what you just heard.

Unfortunately, I’ve noticed over time that this absolutely dazzling genre of melodic DnB has seen a dwindling in popularity in recent years. I am so thrilled to hear stuff like this on Monstercat, because it represents mainstream support for this genre. Fellow Monstercat fans on Reddit all seem to share my sentiments, for the comments section for this song is all about how melodic DnB makes this track a must listen.

Make sure you check out some of Mazare’s and Runn’s best songs below!