Texas-born DJ Riot Ten brings us his brand new album Requiem for a Riot.
Born and raised in Texas, Riot Ten started his flaming hot EDM journey at the age of 22. He was quick to land four #1 top 100 dubstep singles with labels such as Dim Mak Never Say Die, Deadbeats, Insomniac, and Rottun. With his sheer talent, Riot Ten garnered support from the likes of DJ Snake, ZedsDead, The Chainsmokers, Excision and more.
Furthermore, his single “F*ck It” featuring Sullivan King became a centerpiece on The Chainsmokers Memories Do Not Open tour. Riot Ten was also responsible for one of the most influential dubstep tracks of the decade “Rail Breaker.” Other notable successes include the release of his debut EP Hype Or Die: The Dead, to critical acclaim, as well as appearances at prestigious festivals such as Lollapalooza,EDC LasVegas, Coachella and many many more.
Riot Ten’s latest release Requiem for a Riot tells the story of chaos and catharsis. It explores and surpasses the boundaries of the dance music genre with Latin-driven rhythms, and iconic hip-hop grit.
Track number one, “Exult (Intro)” takes us right into the new album. The short intro starts out barely audible, but quickly turns into a high energy power track, giving us a taste of what’s to come.
The first full track on the album “Riot” embodies everything Requiem for a Riot and Riot Ten himself stand for. The high-octane beats, coupled with an aggressive vocal hook promise to ignite any and all dancefloors.
“bRuh” turns the energy up to 11,
“R-rock this club”
~ “bRuh”
is on the menu. Heavy synths and a gnarly bass absolutely electrify the air before the atmosphere relaxes again, bringing us a sweet release and satisfying payoff.
Everyone hold your positions, because multiple “Threats” are incoming. “Threats” featuring Versa makes it clear from the beginning that it means business. The heavy electronic beats immerse us in a soundscape that feels right out of a cyborg action setting. The immaculate synths give us an epic few seconds of calm before the buildup announces the hardcore beat-drop as if it was an incoming missile. “Threats” guarantees to put any dance party on high alert.
In “Bass Bop,” the name is exactly what you get. To honor what this track it was meant to be, a simple pair of headphones, or a tiny little speaker won’t do. Instead, consider a big subwoofer, or better yet, experience it live and in person on Riot Ten’s tour this summer. “Bass Bop” is one of those tracks that will shake you to the core, literally. The thundering bass elevates the audio experience to a special sensory one as well.
“Arrival (Interlude)” takes the synths and the bass from what came before and transforms them into something oddly calm, yet foreboding. The low grumble of the bass together with the bright keys create what feels like a sonic island on which we can rest for a moment and look back at the journey we already went on through this album, as well as look forward to what lies ahead.
“CRASHOUT” featuring SAMKING then takes us right out of this sense of calm. With beats that make a statement, explicit vocals and heavy synths, the track puts us straight back into the high-octane world of Requiem for a Riot, reminding us that this is a riot after all.
“All Black Tint” featuring Lit Lords takes a vocal heavy approach. Using reverb, electric beats and catchy synths, it creates a highly danceable experience with a sonic character that clearly sets itself apart from the other tracks, creating its own identity.
“New Sound” featuring Smoakland immediately honors its name. The track immediately catches our attention with a groovy mix of bass and keys, carried by an epic rap performance. While it starts out as what almost sounds like a rap track that is accompanied by traditional instruments, it plays with our expectations saying,
“Taking all the dr*gs and making all these new sounds”
~ “New Sound”
Before dropping a bewildering electronic beat that sets all dancefloors aflame in an instant.
“Mexihop” takes this formula and creates even more new sounds by giving Mexican-inspired soundscapes with Spanish vocals the electronic treatment. This feelgood track invites us to dance and feel the beat. It urges us to let go of the worries and just enjoying the music.
“2 Da Floor” featuring J. Cruze builds on just these feelgood vibes, combining vibrant acoustic guitars with percussion and heavy electric beats. It neatly ties the experience together with a combination of Spanish and English vocals carrying the instrumentals and celebrating the music.
“Bussin’ Up” featuring Lukav presents us a heavy electronic beat, paired with a catchy hook. The spacey soundscape, mixed with the powerful synth drums creates a wildly danceable experience. It doubles down on it with a seriously epic beat-drop, following a calmer part and a highly suspenseful buildup.
“Bass Bop (VIP)” takes the uniquely vibrant experience that is “Bass Bop” and gives it a fresh feel. It mainly does so by upping its tempo. This version uses the slower, more bass heavy original and increases the octane, making it even more energetic.
Speaking of octane, “High Octane” takes its title literally and fills it up with high octane gas. The track literally uses engine noises, as well as the beeping of remote car keys to create an atmosphere like the one at a racetrack. Announcements to get ready, set and go, combined with the accelerating and decelerating tempo makes us feel like we are right in the race. A race to be the top track of the album? Maybe so.
The grand finale of Requiem for a Riot, “Requiem (Outro)” is an oddly introspective piece. It starkly contrasts the energy of its previous track. The track makes heavy use of a calm piano melody, creating one last sonic space for us to reflect on the experience that Requiem for a Riot is as a whole.
Requiem for a Riot is a masterclass of boundary-pushing EDM. Riot Ten beautifully combines Latin-driven rhythms with high-voltage electronic beats. The unique soundscapes, feelgood vibes and just the overall dance party energy make this project truly one of a kind. If you enjoyed Riot Ten’s latest album and are hungry for more, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming tour. With stops in Cologne, Germany, the US and Canada this summer promises to go down in history.