Underworld Essentials

Editors' Notes Fusing trance, techno, breakbeats, and ambient textures with Karl Hyde's distinctive stream-of-consciousness vocals, Underworld have been creating a hybrid sound that translates all the thrills of muddy UK stadium fields for a worldwide pop audience since the ‘80s. Much of their genius lies in the surprisingly hummable hooks of singles like "Born Slippy (Nuxx)," while tracks like "Rez" cut straight to the bone with electrifying sonics and primordial drum-circle grooves. As intense as they can be, they're no strangers to bliss—"Jumbo" feels like levitating without a care in the world.