Smoakland Pushes Boundaries With Sophomore Album ‘STAY IN YOUR LANE…’

Trailblazing dubstep duo Smoakland has released their second studio album and first on Left Coast Records.

More than three years after their debut album, ‘Modern Throwback,’ the cannabis-infused dubstep duo Smoakland has returned – but not exactly as fans may have expected. The new eleven-track record, ‘STAY IN YOUR LANE…’ does feature an ample amount of the stark, exhilarating dubstep sounds that have become the group’s hallmark. But it also twists and turns refreshingly into new genres and soundscapes unexplored in their first album.

Beginning with the familiar, Smoakland does not disappoint in bringing their distinct brand of dubstep to the table. “That’s What I’m Talking About,” “You Got It,” and the title track “Stay in Your Lane…” energize the listener with harsh, metallic noises and blunt samples layered over stuttery bass lines. Crisp rap lyrics are added to the mix in “Hella Cold” and “Mind If I Smoke” featuring Chuuwee, while Luma provides an emotional vocal element on “All In My Head.”

“Look What You’ve Done” starts into new territory for the west coast group with an uplifting, euphoric tone in between tamer dubstep drops. They dip their toe into their Liquid Smoak drum and bass side project with “Never Go Back” featuring INZO and “Borrowed Time,” a fascinating jazzy fusion song featuring the marvelous vocals of Amanda Movio. “Falling Again” featuring tiedye ky introduces a chill tune with a heartwarming feel, and “Rain in the Shadows” closes out the album with a slow, powerful ballad from English R&B sensation Laville.

Both lyrically and sonically, ‘Stay In Your Lane…’ promotes self-belief and refusal to quietly accept an expectation laid out in front of one by others. The album is unapologetically exploratory and succeeds in finding a number of uniquely compelling sounds. Vocals and samples throughout encourage, explicitly or implicitly, pursuing what one believes in and not giving up in the face of challenges.

“All our lives we’ve been told what we’re supposed to do and make,” says Anthony Battaglia, one half of Smoakland. Harry Hays, the other half, notes that his parents “tried to structure me” and “wanted something else for me,” but that he “always fought against the grain.” 

Smoakland is currently on the home stretch of their huge 33-stop ‘Stay In Your Lane…’ tour which began in early August and ends in mid-December. Check out the new album below.

Gus Johnson

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I’ve always had a passion for writing and was introduced to the EDM scene in 2017. Since then, I’ve attended countless shows and several major festivals including Tomorrowland, EDC Las Vegas, Decadence CO, Hard Summer, and Shambhala. Some of my favorite artists are Seven Lions, Zeds Dead, NGHTMRE, Trivecta, and Jason Ross.

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