Imagine a classic soul singer being dropped into the middle of a high-budget sci-fi dogfight. The music of I See MONSTAS is defined by this collision: the raw, human warmth of Bryn Christopher's gospel-trained voice set against the cold, mechanical precision of aggressive British bass production. It is maximalist, loud, and unapologetically huge, trading in the kind of emotional peaks that make you want to throw your hands up.
What sets them apart is the 'soul' in the machine. While their contemporaries in the 2010s dubstep and DnB scenes often focused on technical aggression, this trio prioritized the song. The production is dense with shimmering synths and bone-rattling low end, but it always serves a soaring melodic hook. It is music that feels expensive, polished, and designed to fill the largest possible space.
Start with the 'Messiah EP' to hear the perfect balance of their sound. 'Holdin' On' remains a definitive example of how to blend a soulful vocal sample with a crushing dubstep drop, while 'Evolution' showcases their ability to translate that energy into a high-speed drum and bass context.
I See Monstas (often stylised I See MONSTAS, and previously called MONSTA) are a British electronic music group. The group was formed in 2012 and consists of producers Rocky and Rufio (also known collectively as Pegasus) as well as singer Bryn Christopher (also known as Skaar). The trio have officially remixed Labrinth ("Last Time"), Zedd ("Spectrum"), and Tinie Tempah ("Trampoline") among others. They have also produced for Ellie Goulding the songs "Figure 8" and "Ritual" from her second studio album Halcyon. As Monsta, they released an eponymous EP on Skrillex's label Owsla on 23 October 2012. In 2013 they signed the original tracks from the EP ("Holdin' On", "Messiah" and "Where Did I Go?") to Polydor Records. They released the Messiah EP with remixes from Dirty South and Feed Me on 2 June 2013 through Polydor. Their next single "Evolution" was released on 3 October 2013 shortly after their name change to I See Monstas, and an extended play featuring "Evolution" and three more tracks was released on 18 October 2013.
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); festival, urban night, stargazing (atmosphere)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); festival, urban night, stargazing (atmosphere)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); festival, urban night, running (atmosphere)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); belting, processed, harmonized (vocal style)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); belting, processed, harmonized (vocal style)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); festival, urban night, stargazing (atmosphere)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); festival, urban night, running (atmosphere)
Shares drum and bass, dance-pop (subgenres); festival, urban night, running (atmosphere)
Shares drum and bass, running, maximalist, euphoric (signature)
Shares drum and bass, running, maximalist, triumphant (signature)
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