Data 3

Data 3 bring a shared fascination with science to dark, rolling drum and bass. The trio are Harry Bryson, also one half of Pola & Bryson, Dan Hartly, known as Mark Dinimal, and Alex Kostyakov. Data 3 began before those other projects became established, giving the three friends a separate place to make music together.

That idea runs through Matter, released through Flexout Audio. The album grew from three connected EPs, Cellular, Molecular, and Atomic, with titles and artwork drawing on the building blocks of the physical world. The concept gave the releases a common identity without requiring every track to sound alike.

Their working method is just as collective. They have described taking three laptops to a cottage in Wales for concentrated writing sessions, surrounded by scenery and away from everyday distractions. Although files can travel between their individual studios, they prefer the exchange of ideas that happens when all three are in the same room.

The resulting music favours low-end pressure, restless percussion, and a darker mood than listeners might expect from Harry’s work with Pola & Bryson. Cellular is a useful starting point for that tougher sound, while the full Matter project shows how the pieces fit together.