Renegade Riddims: Automatic

There is a certain confidence that comes with restraint, and Max Automatic lives right in that sweet spot. This is music that does not shout for attention. It pulls you in, locks the groove, and lets the room do the rest. From Ōtautahi Christchurch to dancefloors far beyond, Max Automatic is quietly building a reputation on patience, pressure and detail.

Known simply as Automatic, Max is a producer and DJ cut from the deep-thinking side of Drum & Bass. His sound leans into intricate drum work, layered melodies and rhythms that feel alive without ever feeling busy. There is a clear respect for space in everything he does, whether he is in the studio or behind the decks. Each element has a purpose. Each movement counts.

Influences run deep. You can hear echoes of Marcus Intalex’s emotional intelligence, Calibre’s fluid groove, and Spirit’s stripped-back menace woven into Automatic’s output. Yet this is never pastiche. Automatic takes those foundations and reshapes them through a modern lens, finding new ways to create tension without clutter.

His releases on London-based label Soul In Motion have helped carry that sound across borders. With an EP and multiple singles under his belt, Automatic has steadily reached new ears, earning support from tastemakers like Need For Mirrors, J:Kenzo, Anile and Doc Scott. That kind of backing does not come from hype. It comes from trust in the music.

On the dancefloor, Automatic is all about flow. His DJ sets build patiently, drawing dancers into a headspace where groove becomes the main event. Think late-night basements, dimly lit rooms, and systems humming as the crowd moves as one.

That mindset was forged early. Experimenting with electronic music from a young age, Max went on to study at MAINZ, where his passion for sound design and structure really took shape. The result is a catalogue that feels considered and deliberate, built through hours of refinement rather than quick fixes. Infectious rhythms roll alongside melodic themes that linger long after the drop, giving his tracks and sets an emotional pull that sneaks up on you.

Yesterday, we premiered the bonus track ‘Spirits’ from Automatic’s latest release ‘SIM2X’ on Soul In Motion Records. Check it out below and grab a copy here!

Today we welcome Automatic to our Renegade Riddims series with a deep, dark and rolling mix that takes you on a journey. The mix features music from himself and artists such as Singr (who we had on the series earlier this month, check his mix out here) as well as Cloudlord, Lenzman, Marcus Intalex and more.

Check out the mix below and download it for free here!

Q&A:

Sum up this mix in 10 words…

Deep moody grooves. 

What’s your personal favourite track on it?

Has to be ‘Step Forward’ by Marcus. What an absolute tune!

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?

Tension, soul and pace. And staying up till 4am to finish it!

Tell us about your next release…

Next up for me is ‘Spirits’ as part of the new SIMX series on Soul in Motion. Four previous tunes of mine repackaged with a new bonus track.  

What have you got coming up? 

Skeptical at the end of the month with the homie Singr on support. Then heading to Twominds festival in March. Looking forward to catching some big sets from Satl, Zero T and Mala. 

When was the last time you actually raved?

Watching Perez in the sun at Lakes Festival. 

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?

Keep pushing your sounds. It’s scary and stressfu,l but so so rewarding. It’s a labour of love.   

TRACKLIST:

1 Singr – Time & Space

2. Wagz – Memorial 

3. Automatic – Midnight 

4. Lenzman ft. Jo s – Fade Away 

5. Insideman – Playground 

6. Automatic – Bayou 

7. M-zine – Sumburgh

8. Automatic – Windup 

9. Cloudlord – Chubby Chaser 

10. Automatic – Spirits 

11. Singr – Ying Yang 

12. Automatic – Contact 

13. Marcus Intalex – Step Forward

14. Automatic – Atlas 

15. Automatic – Cookie Dough 

16. Automatic – Peach 

17. Bigos – Hot Oil 

18. Automatic – Webs 

19. Singr – Mode 4