By: Anand Harsh

Chicago trio LWKY takes the future bass sound a step further, adding live instruments to the mix. Derek Outson, Zack Harper, and Kevin Moze blend the sounds of electro-soul, future funk, and that chill bass we all know and love with live guitar and keys to make this modern amalgam a signature sound all their own.

The three-piece's latest release, No Fear, sees the band tackle a multitude of sounds with flair. The EP opens with "Bulldog," which immediately evokes a comparison to Exmag with its laidback, bluesy riffs on top of cutting bass. We first heard "Del Karmen" as part of The Untz Challenge, which garnered LWKY a fair number of votes, and put the Second City trio in the running. It's definitely the standout track on the collection with smooth, melodic shifts and high-caliber drum production. "Night Surf" leans in the direction of heavier, darker, live glitch-hop, with some future funk elements tucked in amidst the wubs.

The seven-track collection shows off the various facets of a band on the rise. Watch for these guys to take over Chicago, and spread from there.