Author: Nick Pyle

In the realm of electronic music sampling, recent trends have gravitated towards viral TikTok sounds and ’90s track vocals. Denver’s emerging artist Mport is pushing the envelope with his unique approach, however. He believes there’s nothing better than “music that bangs and still makes you chuckle,” a sentiment that defines his upcoming EP, Scene Selection.

As the EP’s release approaches, some tracks have been previewed through singles. My favorite, “So Likable!,” samples the 2014 indie film “Frank” and features “the most likeable song ever” intertwined with deep, crunchy midtempo bass lines. It is a track that simply nails the sample — I would argue it is my favorite Mport track to date. It builds in intensity, ensuring your hips stay engaged from start to finish.

Scene Selection‘s title is driven home as the track “Wumbology” references one of the most iconic SpongeBob quotes, featuring subdued bass lines accompanying Patrick Star’s explanation of Wumbo and intense granular bass fluctuations. While it’s one of the less aggressive tracks on the EP, it captivates with its quotable references.

Similarly, “Whoa, Fire!” takes listeners on a journey through intense granular bass leads, using Beavis and Butthead’s obsession with fire as a backdrop. In live performances, this track elicits pure bass face reactions from the crowd, culminating in a traditional dubstep finale that leaves listeners with sore necks.

Inspired by the film Dodgeball, “The Five Ds” incorporates spoken-word samples from one of the film’s iconic scenes paired with fluttering bass akin to newer Skrillex and Hamdi tracks. The track’s flow bounces energetically, mimicking a Globo Gym ball in a national tournament, leaving memorable drops and grooves in its wake.

Movie themes continue to play a significant role in “Pixar Party,” which uses the Pixar Lamp’s bouncing intro to set a vibrant, danceable beat. Featuring characters like Buzz Lightyear and Wall-E, the track is a nostalgic bass house gem. While it’s not Mport’s heaviest track, its replay value makes it a close second favorite.

Adding to the diverse influences, Andy Samberg’s creative genius shines in a track filled with Hot Rod one-liners and “Cool Beans” references. This tune features a funky horn section and bouncy bass line, perfect for body-melting dance sessions.

Returning to meme-based sampling, “Hanging Around” provides a beautifully layered, groovy bass track with Internet sensation Beetlejuice’s iconic meme taking center stage over stabby, crunchy synth drops.

One of the more niche samples comes from the Kill Tony comedy podcast, featuring comedian William Montgomery. This track starts with a bass style similar to “The Five Ds,” evolving into an aggressive jungle drum-focused drop reminiscent of an RL Grime rave-styled track, banging from start to finish.

The EP concludes with a mellow track inspired by Team America: World Police. This downtempo piece features repetitive staccato breaks, offering a unique style that sets a perfect closing vibe for the project.

This project proves that dance music does not always have to be serious. You can spend just as much time laughing during a set as you can dancing. After hearing most of these songs live through his sets, this EP is set to achieve just that — entertainment in more than just the heavy bass.

Scene Selection is extremely entertaining and has had me listening on repeat since it was sent over. I am excited for everyone to experience the joy these tracks brought me on August 2nd.