- A masterclass in UK garage and bassline that sticks to what Royal-T, DJ Q and Flava D know best.
- If there was a masterclass in the versatility of UK garage and its various offshoots, there would be no better artists to teach it than three genre legends: TQD—made up of Royal T, DJ Q and Flava D. The trio have been making music together since 2015, and have become some of the most in-demand DJs in the bassline circuit, especially in the scene's Northern UK hotspots. Now coming up on eight years together, they release their first full-length project and debut album, there for you. As the genre reaches an apex with "NUKG" bulldozing its way into the mainstream thanks to artists like Pinkpantheress and Interplanetary Criminal, the pioneering acts should be the ones to show the world how it's really done—but doing so in just 25 minutes, as there for you does, is something of a loaded mission.
True to the genre, there for you boasts bombastic basslines and chopped-up vocal samples over every feverish 2-step drum pattern you could hope for. The eight tracks contain the power to make crowds go crazy. "you and i" is one of the easy highlights, with warbling, echoing synths that build to a playful peak in its bridge. Soulful vocals and frisky keys bring out the best elements of old-school house.
While a little slow to find its groove, the album's last three tracks are the most cohesive. Cadell uses his resonant vocals to shout out the three producers on the intro of "bassment," adding a playful touch to an otherwise hard-hitting song. "too sweet" is a nice follow-up—it's blazing and bouncy, with whimsical melodies that change the pace nicely to lead into the final track. "there for you" encompasses everything TQD try to do on this record, blending the aggressive and supple sides of UK garage and bassline effortlessly and with expertise. It's the shortest song on the album, and also the strongest.
The title track is a reminder that TQD's best moments are often their most tender. But at only 25 minutes, there for you struggles to truly get the group's versatility and range across. The LP is rock solid, fitting snugly alongside early singles like "Day And Night" and "Ghosts," but it feels a little flat in the shadow of 2017's UKG compilation, which was anchored by some of their most well-loved tracks like "A Letter To EZ" and "New Day." Here, TQD tap producer Purple Velvet Curtains and vocalist Dread MC for a few tunes, but the tracks still feel a little familiar. there for you is a victory lap for three pioneers of the NUKG scene, though it sticks to what they know best rather than forging new paths through the sound they helped create eight years ago.
Tracklist01. break it down
02. on the ground feat. PVC
03. you and i
04. nice and close
05. represent feat. Dread MC
06. bassment feat. Cadell
07. too sweet
08. there 4 u