Rakoon: Biography, Discography and More | EDM Encyclopedia

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Introduction

Rakoon is a dubstep and electronic music producer from France. Active from 2013 to the present, the project has released five full-length albums and three EPs over a twelve-year span. Based within the French electronic music community, Rakoon has built a discography that prioritizes album-length statements, a format choice that suggests an artist focused on complete listening experiences rather than standalone tracks designed for playlists or DJ sets.

The project began releasing material in 2013, during a period when dubstep was diversifying beyond its initial wave. Rather than aligning with any single sub-movement within bass music, Rakoon developed a personal sound that draws from dub traditions while incorporating electronic production techniques. This approach has remained consistent enough to be recognizable across the entire catalog, even as individual releases explore different territory.

French electronic producers have historically brought a particular sensibility to bass-heavy genres, often emphasizing musicality alongside physical impact. Rakoon fits within this lineage. The productions balance weight and atmosphere in a way that suggests equal attention to the engineering and compositional aspects of each track. The result is music for djs that functions on soundsystems and headphones alike, revealing different details depending on the listening environment.

The release schedule follows a pattern of regular output without extended gaps. Albums and EPs have arrived at one to three year intervals throughout the project’s run, indicating sustained creative activity rather than sporadic bursts. This consistency has allowed the discography to document a gradual evolution in sound and technique across more than a decade of production work.

Genre and Style

Rakoon operates within dubstep and electronic music, using the genre’s conventions as a starting point rather than a strict template. The productions are built around half-time rhythms and prominent sub-bass, the foundational elements of dubstep, but the execution diverges from the more aggressive or minimalist ends of the spectrum. Melodic content receives equal attention, with synthesizer lines and atmospheric textures woven into the low-end framework.

The dubstep Sound

Dub techniques form a significant part of the production vocabulary. Delays, reverbs, and filtered effects process individual elements, creating spatial depth within the mixes. Sounds are allowed to decay and interact rather than being cut short or rigidly quantized. This gives the tracks an organic quality, as if the dubstep music exists in a physical space rather than existing purely within a digital audio workstation. The basslines carry both rhythmic and harmonic information, anchoring each track while providing tonal context for the melodic layers above.

Across the discography, the arrangements show increasing ambition. Earlier material follows more conventional structures, with clear sections and predictable development. Later releases allow for greater variation within individual tracks, with elements entering and leaving the arrangement in ways that deviate from standard verse-chorus-verse patterns. The tempos remain within dubstep‘s established range, but the internal rhythmic detail shifts enough to maintain interest across repeated listens.

The mixing reflects careful attention to frequency balance. Low-end content dominates the physical sensation of the music without masking the midrange and high-frequency elements. Pads, melodies, and percussive details remain audible and distinct even during the most bass-heavy passages. This clarity allows the melodic and textural components to function as more than background decoration. They become integral to the composition, interacting with the bass rather than simply sitting above it.

Key Releases

Rakoon’s catalog includes five albums and three EPs, released between 2013 and 2025.

  • Trip In Dub
  • Smiles
  • Wishes and Delusions
  • Something Precious
  • Serendipity

Discography Highlights

Albums:

Trip In Dub (2013): The debut full-length and first release in the Rakoon catalog. The record introduced the project’s core sound: sub-bass driven productions with dub-influenced effects processing and melodic elements integrated into the low-end framework. As the starting point for the discography, it established the foundational techniques that subsequent releases would expand upon.

Smiles (2016): The second album arrived a three-year gap. The production demonstrates broadened sonic territory, incorporating additional electronic textures while maintaining the bass-heavy bass center defined on the debut.

Wishes and Delusions (2018): The third full-length continued the project’s development. Arrangements on this record show greater complexity compared to earlier output, with tracks that allow for more internal development and structural variation.

Something Precious (2021): The fourth album appeared after another three-year interval. By this stage, Rakoon’s sound had absorbed a wider range of electronic influences while retaining its dubstep foundation. The record represents a mature phase in the discography.

Serendipity (2025): The fifth and most recent album, extending the project one‘s timeline into its twelfth year. This release stands as the current endpoint of Rakoon’s recorded output.

EPs:

From the Ashes (2015): The first EP, released in the gap between the debut and second albums. Shorter-format releases allow Rakoon to present ideas in a more concentrated form.

Explorations (2017): The second EP arrived between the second and third albums. The title suggests the format’s function within the discography: a space for investigating approaches outside the scope of a full-length record.

The Ones Love (2023): The third and most recent EP, positioned between the fourth and fifth albums. The release continues the established pattern of EPs filling intervals between full-length projects.

Famous Tracks

Hailing from France, Rakoon carved out a distinct space within the European electronic and dubstep scene. The producer introduced a unique sonic palette with the release of the album Trip In Dub in 2013. This project established a clear foundation, blending heavy low ends with intricate sound design. Rather than relying on aggressive, high tempo drops, the music leans into deep, resonant basslines and atmospheric textures that reward close listening. The tracks feature precise drum programming and a meticulous approach to layering that immediately set Rakoon apart from standard dubstep formulas. The rhythmic components interact with the basslines to create a hypnotic effect.

In 2015, Rakoon released the EP From the Ashes. This project expanded on earlier ideas by incorporating darker, more driving rhythms suited for late night sound system culture. The production here focuses on tightly coiled percussion and shifting sub bass patterns that demand high fidelity audio systems to fully appreciate the low frequency details. The year brought the release of the album Smiles in 2016. This record showcased a noticeable shift in tone, offering brighter synth work and more melodic progressions while maintaining the heavy sub bass that defines the dubstep framework. By balancing heavy frequency manipulation with accessible melodic structures, these releases built a robust catalog that highlights a clear evolutionary path in the artist’s studio output. The contrast between the heavy low ends and lighter melodic elements creates a dynamic listening experience.

Live Performances

A Rakoon DJ set relies on an exercise in tension and release, utilizing deep production to command a room. The 2017 EP Explorations provided tracks built specifically for this environment, featuring extended intros and breakdowns that allow a DJ to mix seamlessly between tempos. These songs prioritize groove and sub frequency manipulation, creating a physical experience for the audience on the dancefloor. The rhythmic complexity found in these tracks offers mixing opportunities that keep crowds engaged through evolving soundscapes rather than predictable drops. The pacing of these releases allows for long, drawn out mixes that favor gradual builds.

Notable Shows

This evolution continued with the 2018 album Wishes and Delusions. The music on this record demonstrates a high level of technical proficiency, layering complex percussive elements over sweeping ambient pads. When translated to a live setting, these elements create an immersive environment that transforms a standard club into an enclosed sonic space. In 2021, Rakoon released the album Something Precious. The tracks here show a refined approach to mixing and mastering, providing crisp, clean high ends that cut through heavy club sound systems while the low ends rumble the floor. This attention to audio engineering makes the catalog highly functional for live performances, allowing the artist to transition between heavy dubstep and deeper electronic styles effortlessly. The production is tailored to sound massive on large club speakers, utilizing the full frequency spectrum to captivate live audiences.

Why They Matter

Rakoon represents the highly skilled, independent electronic producer working within the French dubstep community. Consistency is the defining characteristic of this artist’s career. Over more than a decade, the sound has evolved without abandoning its core principles. The 2023 EP The Ones Love highlights this progression, offering mature, polished production that reflects years of studio refinement. This release focuses on intricate rhythm structures and detailed sound design, proving that the artist continues to push technical boundaries. By sticking to a distinct aesthetic, Rakoon provides a reliable anchor in a genre that frequently shifts trends and styles.

Impact on dubstep

Looking ahead, the upcoming 2025 album Serendipity continues this trajectory. This extensive discography, spanning multiple albums and EPs since 2013, demonstrates a sustained work ethic and commitment to the underground electronic scene. Rakoon matters because the focus remains entirely on the music: the arrangement, the mixing, and the technical execution. By avoiding commercial trend chasing and instead focusing on a distinct, bass heavy aesthetic, Rakoon supplies a lasting catalog for dedicated dubstep enthusiasts. The longevity of the project serves as a clear example of how independent artists can build a substantial legacy through consistent output, technical growth, and a deep understanding of low frequency sound design. The progression from early releases to current ones maps a clear timeline of artistic dedication.

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