Mary Droppinz continues to demonstrate her mind-bending creativity with her latest release “Ignite”. Known for her innovation as a DJ, she has amassed an audience as a producer in recent years. Her production style, just like her performances, features forward-looking sounds and a clear stamp of her identity.
Her style tends to feature groovy house-influenced drums with syncopated kick patterns. Unique sampling techniques also take the front stage in some of her tracks. The bird call samples in her 2021 release “Birdiez” provide a fresh timbre, and the techno chord stabs in “Acid Mother” bring high-quality rave nostalgia. The eclectic sound choice in her work, which plays a big role in “Ignite”, proves her versatility as a producer.
Photo from Resident Advisor
As a DJ, Mary Droppinz has been working hard for over eight years prior to “Ignite”, including through the pandemic. When lockdown hit, she began livestreaming performances to Twitch, keeping the dance scene connected even while we felt the most isolated. DJs like Mary bring a refreshing sense of hope for the future of dance music. By presenting EDM to audiences in different ways, artists like her are able to bring new fans into the industry.
Femme House and Beyond
The year prior to releasing “Ignite”, Mary Droppinz worked with Femme House, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the inclusivity of women and other gender-marginalized folks in electronic music. LP Giobbi and Insomniac Records included her release “Gonna Be Alright” in their 2022 Femme House compilation. The track features psychedelic-sounding synths, crispy drum grooves, and expert use of vocal samples. As with many of her tracks, the production is spacious, clean, yet completely full and engaging.
She continues to prove the power of her sound design with “Galactic Portal”. This two-track single brings experimental sound design and high-energy grooves- a fusion that continues in “Ignite”. By bridging the acid/IDM world and the mainstream house scene, Mary Droppinz provides something for electronic music fans of all types.
Mary Droppinz performing ABRACADABRA for New Years 2021
The Genius of Mary Droppinz “Ignite”
In her latest track “Ignite”, Droppinz sets the scene with bright, colorful arpeggios and a fiery vocal sample from Flowdan. This UK grime-influenced vocal, also featured in Subtronics and Zeds Dead’s track “Gassed Up“, helps support the core of the track.
The buildup approaches somewhat subtly, meaning that the drop hits particularly hard. The drop features Mary Droppinz’ signature clean breakbeat-inspired drums along with wobble basses and dubstep growls. Though some of these sounds come from the original “Gassed Up”, Mary Droppinz reimagines them in a clever and refreshing way.
“Ignite” from Youtube
Exiting the drop, the main “Ignite” arpeggio returns yet continues to evolve. This middle section helps to create space and dreaminess, before the buildup hits again. The second drop begins with screech basses, and continues to develop with forward-thinking rhythmic arrangements. The track sounds cohesive, high-energy, and overall, incredibly fun.
Undoubtedly, these past few years of success will be followed by more boundary-breaking music from Mary Droppinz. “Ignite” brings a sort of spark that dance music fans love, and they’ll surely be looking forward to more of it.
