High Contrast: The Pioneering Drum & Bass Producer

High Contrast is the stage name of Welsh electronic music producer and DJ Lincoln Barrett, a defining figure in the drum & bass genre. Hailing from Cardiff, Wales, his sophisticated blend of soulful melodies and high-energy breakbeats has achieved mainstream success, including a UK number one album and multiple platinum certifications for his anthemic tracks.

Early career

Lincoln Barrett was born in 1979 and began his musical journey in the late 1990s after studying film in university. His early demos caught the attention of the legendary London-based label Hospital Records, which signed him in 2000. His debut album, True Colours, released in 2002, immediately established his signature sound of lush, cinematic atmospheres paired with intricate drum programming.

Breakthrough

High Contrast's commercial breakthrough arrived in 2004 with his second album, High Society. The album was a critical and commercial hit within the drum & bass scene, but it was the single Twilight's Last Gleaming that became a crossover staple. His profile skyrocketed further when his 2006 track Everything's Different was used in a major advertising campaign, introducing his music to a vast new audience.

Key tracks

Twilight's Last Gleaming — This track from the 'High Society' album became an instant classic and remains one of his most recognizable anthems.

If We Ever — Featuring vocalist Diane Charlemagne, this 2011 single showcased his ability to craft emotionally powerful, chart-friendly drum & bass.

Remind Me — A collaboration with singer-songwriter Clare Maguire, this track reached the UK Singles Chart in 2011.

The First Note Is Silent — A collaboration with Tiësto and Underworld, this 2011 release demonstrated his reach into the broader electronic dance music world.

Shotgun Mouthwash — This high-octane track from his 2007 album Tough Guys Don't Dance exemplifies his skill at crafting complex, energetic club weapons.

High Contrast's third album, Tough Guys Don't Dance, debuted at number one on the UK Dance Album Chart in 2007. He has since released several more acclaimed LPs, including The Agony & The Ecstasy in 2012 and Night Gallery in 2020, continually refining his sound. His work extends to notable remixes for artists like Adele, Emeli Sandé, and Dizzee Rascal, and he composed the score for the 2015 film The Beat Beneath My Feet.

Fans of High Contrast's melodic and energetic take on drum & bass should also explore other pioneering artists from the UK scene. London Elektricity shares a focus on jazz and soul influences within the Hospital Records sound. Netsky is another artist known for crafting highly melodic and accessible drum & bass anthems. Logistics consistently delivers smooth, musical productions within the genre. Camo & Krooked blend intricate sound design with massive, festival-ready melodies in a similar vein.

The dynamic music of High Contrast is a regular feature on electronic and drum & bass focused radio stations across our network. His tracks, from early classics to his newest releases, are programmed on specialist drum & bass shows and mainstream electronic music rotations, showcasing his enduring appeal.

Listeners can discover the iconic sound of High Contrast by tuning into the drum & bass and electronic stations available on onairium.com, where his genre-defining tracks are frequently broadcast.