Denver’s bass music trio delivers a sophomore that refuses to be caged

If you’ve been sleeping on Denver’s bass music scene, Hostage Situation‘s sophomore album ‘Hostile Frequencies’ is your wake-up call. The trio, who literally built their brand around “taking crowds hostage,” have crafted a 20-track opus that’s as ambitious as it is aggressive, proving that sophomore albums don’t have to play it safe.

Since forming in 2021, Hostage Situation has gone from playing illegal desert raves in Arizona to selling out iconic venues like Meow Wolf Denver and The Gothic Theatre. That trajectory alone is impressive, but what makes ‘Hostile Frequencies’ special is how it captures the full spectrum of their evolution without losing the thread of what makes them unique.

The album opens with its title track “Hostile Frequencies,” setting an atmospheric tone that might surprise fans expecting them to go straight for the jugular. But that’s part of what Hostage Situation does well here. They understand that tension is just as important as release. The cinematic intro pulls you into their world before they proceed to demolish it across the next 19 tracks.

Lead single “Burn For You” showcases the trio’s boldest move, which is that they’re singing on their own tracks now. And it works. The emotional vocal work paired with explosive drops creates those moments that separate good bass music from unforgettable experiences. When they describe it as having “powerful vocals, epic chord risers, and a final release at the drop that just makes you want to lose control,” they’re being pretty accurate.

Here’s where ‘Hostile Frequencies’ gets really interesting. This isn’t just a dubstep album with a couple of bass house tracks thrown in for variety. Hostage Situation genuinely explores multiple dimensions of bass music, and they’re not afraid to experiment.

“The Device” leans into their heavier, more aggressive roots. It’s the kind of track that makes festival crowds lose their collective minds. Then “Panic Attack” flips the script entirely, diving into high-energy bass house territory that proves these guys can make you dance just as hard as they can make you headbang. According to the trio, it’s “an extremely high-energy bass house song that always gets the entire crowd moving and jumping around,” and based on the track’s festival-ready energy, that tracks.

The collaborations add even more depth to the album’s palette. “Problem” featuring Dream Takers and Fraxure, “Skoolin” with Chibs, and “Seen It All” featuring MACY all bring different flavors while maintaining the Hostage Situation signature. These aren’t just features for the sake of having features. Each collaboration feels purposeful and adds something the trio couldn’t achieve alone.

When a band cites M83, Subtronics, and Pink Floyd as influences, you know you’re in for something eclectic. And somehow, ‘Hostile Frequencies’ makes that wide range of inspiration work. Tracks like “Jasmine” and “Feel You” lean into more melodic, emotionally-driven territory, while “GO NUTZ” and “Freak It” are exactly what their titles promise. Pure bass music energy.

The diversity makes sense when you remember that all three members produce and DJ. You’re not getting one vision stretched thin across 21 tracks. You’re getting three different perspectives that somehow come together into a cohesive experience. It’s like they took everything they love about music and channeled it into this project.

Is ‘Hostile Frequencies’ perfect? No album with 21 tracks is going to hit every single time. But what makes this sophomore so impressive is its ambition and the trio’s clear vision of what Hostage Situation represents. This isn’t bass music for purists. It’s bass music for people who love music, period.

The album closes with “The End,” a contemplative moment that brings the journey full circle. It’s a bold choice to end such a high-energy project on a more introspective note, but it works. After 20 tracks of being taken hostage, it’s almost necessary.

For a sophomore album, ‘Hostile Frequencies’ does a lot of things right. It showcases range without losing identity, takes risks without feeling unfocused, and most importantly, it makes you want to experience these tracks live. Which is perfect timing, considering their extensive tour is already underway, hitting everywhere from Seattle’s VICE to Philadelphia’s Warehouse on Watts through December.

Hostage Situation set out to create more than just a collection of tracks. They wanted to build an experience. And they delivered on that. Whether you’re a bass music devotee or just someone who appreciates artists who refuse to be boxed in, ‘Hostile Frequencies’ deserves a spot in your rotation.

Bottom Line: Denver’s Hostage Situation delivers a sprawling, ambitious sophomore that captures the full range of modern bass music while maintaining a distinct identity. It’s the kind of project that happens when three talented producers throw everything they’ve got at the wall and most of it sticks.

For Fans Of: Subtronics, Liquid Stranger, Skrillex, and anyone who thinks genre boundaries are just suggestions

Stand Out Tracks: “Burn For You,” “Panic Attack,” “The Device,” “Problem” (feat. Dream Takers & Fraxure)

‘Hostile Frequencies’ is available now on all streaming platforms. Catch Hostage Situation on their North American tour through December 2025.