The Birmingham-based artist Nearside got into production back in 2022, but like many of us, he needed that one pivotal experience to really understand what he was chasing. For him, it was his first rave in 2023. Since then, he’s been channeling influences from the big hitters like Subfocus and Dimension, plus the melodic craftwork of Pirapus and 5x. The result is tracks that know how to grab your attention with a hook before absolutely battering you with mid-bass that doesn’t quit.
“One year in the dark, one moment to illuminate the floor.”
Nearside made “Alive” a year ago and almost let it gather digital dust forever. It took his producer mate James Taupo and a few others basically telling him to stop overthinking it and just put it out there. The track is a proper drum and bass banger with those tight, rolling breaks and basslines that hit exactly where they should, but underneath all that technical stuff is someone finally deciding they’re ready to be heard.
The track knows that it is a solidly constructed jump-up roller that’ll do serious damage in a club setting. If you’re into the heavier end of D&B or you’ve been sleeping on the Birmingham scene, this is your wake-up call. Give “Alive” a spin, and if it hits right, keep an eye on what he does next.
Muse Chronicle 
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