Tainted Youth Return with Emotive Liquid Drum & Bass Single, “Drifting Away”
London-based duo Tainted Youth are set to release their latest single, “Drifting Away”, a deeply personal track that blends heartfelt lyricism with their signature fusion of Pop and Liquid Drum & Bass. Known for their emotionally rich sound and DIY ethos, Ryan Hall and Kathleen Down continue to push the boundaries of the UK underground-inspired genre they call home.
Formed in 2021, Tainted Youth emerged from the shared flat and shared vision of Hall and Down, crafting music that reflects both their individual journeys and collective growth. While their catalogue is still fresh, it’s already resonated widely—earning them a “Song of the Year” nomination at the 2022 Future Hits Music Awards for their single “Feel That Way” and live slots at iconic venues like Ministry of Sound, The Troxy, and their own headline EP launch in 2024.
“Drifting Away” is particularly special to the pair.
“We actually wrote the first version of this song back in 2017, before Tainted Youth even existed,” explains Kathleen. “We’d only met a couple times, but something just clicked. Earlier this year, Ryan made a new instrumental that instantly brought those old lyrics back to life. We knew it was time.”
The track marks not only the evolution of their sound but also of their partnership.
“This song means a lot to us both,” says Ryan. “It’s kind of a symbol of how far we’ve come—personally and as a group—since we wrote the first version eight years ago.”
Written, recorded, produced, and mixed entirely in their living room, “Drifting Away” is a testament to Tainted Youth’s hands-on artistry and unwavering authenticity. With ethereal melodies, rolling D&B rhythms, and intimate vocals, the single is poised to connect with fans of acts like Hybrid Minds and Venbee, while solidifying the duo’s growing presence in the UK scene.