Much like fellow Netherlands-based producer (and underground legend) Munchi, Gabriel Rowano blends a unique concoction of influences that dive into reggaeton and mainstream dance to create his progressive moombahton sounds. As the star of brand new underground label NLSHYRSLF (Unleash Yourself) Recordings‘ first volume of wild new material,Gabriel Rowano & Friends (Volume 1), his latest track “Momentum” packs a beastly bottom end with a trance-friendly melody for what could be his best work-to-date.
Rowano’s joined here by some truly forward-thinking tune-smiths. Russian producer Insane Fennel blends Afro-Latino percussive patterns with Baltic folk grooves to create “Hero”‘s off-kilter sound, while Borneo-based Jet Airess’ groove on “Eh Sekoh” is best described as twerk-inspired dembow. Rotterdam’s DODBB’s “Greed” packs in beat-boxing, sensual grooves and rap vibes into a sonic powder-keg. Colombia’s El $abor twist K-Pop chanteuse CL’s trap jam “MTBD” into a growling, thumping moombah-monster all its own, with Banana Split’s EP closing dembow-drenched moombahton heater “La Subienda” completing the task of taking underground dance far into the future.