Retro Sampling Meets Wobbly Bass in Tape B and Effin's New Collab, “Ups and Downs

If pure nostalgia had a bassline, it might sound like “Ups and Downs,” the long-awaited collaboration between Tape B and Effin.

Equal parts warmth and wobble, the retro-inspired track had been building momentum since Tape B’s sold-out debut headline at the Hollywood Palladium, and it delivers on that promise with a stunning track that encapsulates the best of both Tape B and Effin.

Oozing with a bass-forward edge, “Ups and Downs” opens by virtue of a textured intro with shimmering keys and a sultry sax pattern. The track’s hypnotic vocals, crooning “when we were young, we were in love,” glide above deep bass, punchy drums and the kind of warped, wobbly synths that define both producers’ catalogs.

Known for his old school-meets-new school approach, Tape B, a rising star in the dubstep world, was recently named to the EDM.com Class of 2025. Meanwhile, Effin has grown into one of the electronic music community’s most gifted sound designers, reinforcing his reputation as an innovator by blending bass music with vintage folk and blues.

As both artists gear up for major summer shows at Bonnaroo, Shambhala and the Brooklyn Mirage, among others, “Ups and Downs” is primed to become a staple in their live sets.

Listen to “Ups and Downs” below and find the new single on streaming platforms here.