neurofunk
what it is
Neurofunk is a sub-genre of drum and bass pioneered by producers Ed Rush, Optical and Matrix, between 1997 and 1998 in London, England as a progression of techstep. It was further developed by juxtaposed elements of heavier and darker forms of funk with multiple influences ranging from techno, house and jazz, distinguished by consecutive stabs over the bassline and rhythmically structured by razor-sharp back beats where highly nuanced, dark ambient production is prominent. The sound of neurofunk's early evolution – when diverging from techstep – can be heard on Ed Rush & Optical's track "Funktion" for V Recordings, and their first album "Wormhole" for Virus Recordings in 1998.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make neurofunk a playlist
turn these 27 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is neurofunk?
Neurofunk is a sub-genre of drum and bass pioneered by producers Ed Rush, Optical and Matrix, between 1997 and 1998 in London, England as a progression of techstep. It was further developed by juxtaposed elements of heavier and darker forms of funk with multiple influences ranging from techno, house and jazz, distinguished by consecutive stabs over the bassline and rhythmically structured by razor-sharp back beats where highly nuanced, dark ambient production is prominent. The sound of neurofunk's early evolution – when diverging from techstep – can be heard on Ed Rush & Optical's track "Funktion" for V Recordings, and their first album "Wormhole" for Virus Recordings in 1998.
What are good neurofunk albums to start with?
Try Floral Strobe by False Noise, Outer Edges by Noisia, Strobe by deadmau5, and Deadly Toys by Current Value.
Who are some women making neurofunk?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/neurofunk/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making neurofunk, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-19