u/HiraethDNB

I know what "underground" means, and I'm not expecting this side of D&B to suddenly become mainstream. That's never really been the point.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that the style of D&B represented by artists like Calibre, Alix Perez, Break, Total Science and others - the more soulful, musical, and nuanced side of the genre - is becoming less visible. At least from my perspective, especially here in Belgium, a lot of attention seems to be shifting toward louder, more aggressive and heavily electronic sounds.

Maybe it's just a change in taste, but it makes me wonder: are younger listeners less interested in deeper, more subtle music that takes time to appreciate? Music with intricate production, rich harmonies, and a focus on groove rather than instant impact?

I don't want this to come across as "music was better in my day," because every generation says that. I'm genuinely curious about where the scene is heading and whether there's still enough demand for the more underground, soulful side of drum & bass.

I'm also thinking about the promoters who support these artists and sounds. It feels like many of them are finding it increasingly difficult to keep events going, which raises questions about the long-term health and visibility of this corner of the scene.

And I often find myself wondering whether this is just a temporary wave and whether things will eventually shift in another direction again. These are difficult questions, and I don't think anyone really has the answer.

As a producer in this genre, I sometimes feel a bit lonely in that regard. I know I'll never stop making this music because I love it too deeply, but it does make me sad to see the scene moving in a direction that feels increasingly distant from what first drew me to it.

Am I imagining this, or have others noticed the same shift?