The Evolution of Tessela: From Early EPs to Recent ReleasesTessela (real name: Justin Dabiri) has been one of the most intriguing figures in contemporary electronic music over the last decade and a half. Known for his dense, percussion-forward productions and his ability to merge club-ready intensity with experimental detail, Tessela’s output charts a path from grime- and dubstep-adjacent beginnings to a broader, more texturally adventurous approach. This article traces that evolution: early influences and EPs, breakout records, stylistic shifts, notable collaborations, and recent work that shows both continuity and expansion of his sonic palette.
Origins and Early Influences
Born and raised in London, Tessela grew up amid a vibrant and cross-pollinating scene. Early 2000s UK electronic music—grime, dubstep, Juke, and techno—left an imprint on his sensibility. He absorbed the skeletal weight of dubstep sub-bass, the chopped, syncopated percussion of UK garage and juke, and the relentless forward motion of techno. Those elements would become recurring materials in his productions.
His early tracks emphasized rhythm and grainy textures over melodic content. This positioned Tessela as an artist focused on physical impact: the body of the listener—dancefloors, clubs—was always a primary consideration. The result was music that felt both modern and raw, marrying underground club energy with studio precision.
Breakout EPs and Early Releases
Tessela’s initial EPs began to attract attention because they stood apart from many contemporaries in their textural depth and compositional density. Key early releases include:
- The first EPs that circulated on small UK labels and via digital platforms, showcasing his capacity to layer intricate percussion with heavy sub-bass.
- Tracks that received support from DJs spanning techno and bass music scenes, which helped him cross-pollinate audiences.
These records established several trademarks:
- Percussive density: dense, interlocking percussion patterns that reward close listening as much as they drive a dancefloor.
- Textural grit: a fondness for tape-like saturation, noise, and clipped transients that give tracks an industrial edge.
- Dynamic control: an ability to build tension through arrangement rather than relying solely on drops.
The Breakthrough: Patternist and Warp-era Momentum
Tessela’s profile rose significantly after releases on more prominent labels and through a series of standout tracks that landed him wider critical and DJ attention. One pivotal moment was his alignment with labels that provided a broader platform for his sound, enabling his work to reach international dancefloors and tastemakers.
The music press often pointed to Tessela as part of a wave of producers reinterpreting UK bass music through a techno lens—retaining low-end weight while accelerating tempos, emphasizing precision, and foregrounding percussion as a melodic device. This period saw him refining his approach: maintaining the rawness of his earlier work while introducing more formal clarity and compositional focus.
Stylistic Expansion: Melody, Texture, and Experimentation
As Tessela matured, his palette widened. While percussion and bass remained central, later releases began to incorporate more overt melodic and harmonic elements as well as new approaches to sound design. Notable shifts included:
- Integration of synth pads, choral textures, and more tonal material that added emotional depth.
- Longer-form tracks and EPs showcasing dynamic arcs rather than immediate club utility.
- Collaborations and remixes that pushed him toward different tempos and moods, revealing a versatility beyond the club context.
This evolution reflected a broader trend in electronic music where producers who began in club-focused sub-genres expanded into album-oriented, home-listening-friendly formats without losing their rhythmic identity.
Collaborations, Remixes, and Cross-Scene Recognition
Tessela’s growth was aided by collaborations and remixes that connected him to artists across electronic subcultures. Remixes for peers and work alongside vocalists or instrumentalists allowed him to test his textural approach in different contexts. These projects often highlighted his production strengths: the ability to reframe a song through rhythm and atmosphere while preserving—or enhancing—its emotional core.
DJ support from both underground and more mainstream techno and bass DJs further amplified his reach. That cross-scene recognition positioned Tessela as a bridge figure—someone who could move between bass-heavy UK sounds and the more minimal, club-focused techno circuits of Europe.
Recent Releases and Current Direction
In his more recent releases, Tessela appears to synthesize his earlier rawness with a refined sense of arrangement and melodic possibility. Characteristics of his recent work:
- Polished production values while retaining the tactile, slightly rough edges that define his identity.
- A balance between tracks meant for club play and pieces suited to home listening or experimental sets.
- Continued emphasis on rhythm as narrative—percussion patterns that function like motifs or themes across a track.
Recent EPs and singles show interest in pushing timbral boundaries—using found sounds, complex modulation, and layered atmospheres—while still delivering physical low-end weight. This maintains the link to his origins while signaling a willingness to explore broader musical territory.
Legacy and Influence
Tessela’s influence is evident in producers who prioritize percussive complexity and textural detail over surface-level melodicism. He helped normalize a hybrid approach: keeping the visceral energy of UK bass music while importing the structural rigor of techno. For younger producers, Tessela’s catalog serves as a blueprint for how to evolve without losing core identity.
Where He Might Go Next
Possible directions based on his trajectory:
- Deeper exploration of melodic and harmonic songwriting—potentially leading to a full-length album with more vocal or instrumental collaborations.
- Continued cross-genre collaborations that bring his percussion-first approach to pop, ambient, or experimental projects.
- Expansion into multimedia work (soundtracks, installations) where his textural skills add atmosphere beyond the club.
Conclusion
Tessela’s evolution from early EPs to recent releases traces a path of deepening sophistication without abandoning the physical immediacy that made his early work compelling. He remains a compelling example of how an electronic artist can grow technically and conceptually while preserving the rhythmic core that defines their identity.
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