dela Moon’s ‘Memory Error’ takes a dive deep into the DnB underworld + stream her 4-track ‘Rough Protocol’ EP [Premiere]

February 3, 2023

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As a long reigning queen of the West Coast bass underground, dela Moon is no stranger to working with the scene’s best. She’s been featured on Street Ritual’s Horizons EP alongside Duffrey, Thought Process, and more, shared the stage with Alix Perez, The Librarian, G Jones, the late great Charlesthefirst, and countless others, and released on Muti Music, The Rust, 40oz Records, along with a plethora of other niche bass music labels across the US. We’ve had an eye on the Moontribe Collective resident/organizer since seeing her captivating set at Oregon Eclipse 2017 and, the following year, featured dela Moon’s Fractal Fest 2018 set as part of our Midweek Mantra Mix series.

Returning to Play Me Records for a four-track EP, dela Moon now unleashes a full-frequency take on tech-driven DnB with her first 2023 release, Rough Protocol. We’re incredibly delighted to be premiering the second (and most ethereal) track off the project, “Memory Error.” Clocking in at almost four minutes in length, this deeply immersive dive into the underworld of DnB is certainly the most haunting and melodic tune on the four-tracker.

Whereas the title track opener lays down the thesis for the EP’s jaunty, high energy soundscape, “Memory Error” is really the launching point for delving deeper into the sub bass reverbs that guide the track’s melodic builds. Her seamless integration of spectral synths and ghostly melodies here gives the track it’s foreboding, yet welcoming, appeal—all before dropping listeners off into the track’s grimy breaks with its jaunty drum-n-bass kicks and grungy mids.

“Symmetrons,” the third track featuring LA-based producer Forin, is perfectly placed on the short player to continue building the EP’s tech-driven narrative. The track blends technical synths and basslines, theatrical breakdowns, and hair-raising drops into an electrifying and futuristic story board. “Control Flow” signals the perfect landing pad to the EP with its atmospheric tones, suishy psychedelic synths, and calming energy. These elements combine to provide perfect contrast to the track’s 180 tempo range. Carefully constructed and meticulously arranged, Rough Protocol builds on dela Moon’s decades-long career as one of the underground bass scene’s most revered drum-n-bass acts.

Speaking to the entire EP, dela Moon told CE the following:

“Rough Protocol is my contribution to the ongoing dialog between the hard neuro and deep minimal sub-genres of dnb … trying to find the sweet spot between techy velocity and feels.”
– dela Moon

dela Moon is renowned for her expansive range —from fiery DnB/halftime sets, to deep, funky, and psychedelic downtempo sets to progressive and driving techno. She draws on these influences for each and every environment she faces, using them to infuse her sets with energy and raw emotion that surpasses the thresholds of any single genre. Building on her past Play Me Records résumé, dela Moon’s Rough Protocol teases more of what is to come from her distinctive take on modern dance floor music in the year to come.

Stream the CE premiere of “Memory Error,” and listen to the full EP on your preferred platform, below.