| The inimitable British dance music power-duo of Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo have unveiled their highly anticipated debut album ‘What Is Life’ under their collaborative alias Anti Up, including the previously released hit singles ‘The Weekend’, ‘Control The Mind’, ‘Freaky Feed Me’ and ‘Outlaws’.
Adopting a diverse, boundary-defying, anti-establishment approach to music, ‘What Is Life’ marks the beginning of a new chapter for Anti Up, with the power-duo’s debut album delving deep into themes of life, exploring societal issues, ideas and personal stories. More than a collection of tracks – it’s a partnership showcasing how Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo work together, bringing together the pair’s shared love for British dance music, creating dark, moody productions which are expertly curated, mixing bass house, tech house and acid sounds with punk and indie influences.
On the album’s creation, Anti Up says:
“Anti Up is both of our passion projects, we have had so much fun writing and creating this album, BUT we have also successfully ignored every request to finish the music on time, so here it is, years later, we fucking love it, so hope you love it too. Better late than never. Cheers – ANTI UP”
The pulsating title track, ‘What Is Life’, immediately sets the tone for the rest of the LP. Featuring rising talent rhys from the sticks, the album opener delves into thought-provoking questions about the meaning of life and the search for purpose. The vibrant anthem and previously released hit single ‘The Weekend’ follows, a track that highlights the best of dance music, celebrating the end of the working week while addressing the challenges of the 9-to-5 grind. With almost 2 million Spotify streams, its defiant lyricism that puts its middle fingers up to the working week courtesy of Dutch-American singer-songwriter Leven Kali made it the ultimate Friday night soundtrack for dancefloors worldwide. The recently released single ‘Freaky Feed Me’, hanesses a gritty house production with another infectious vocal from R&B vocalist Leven Kali, whose vocals elevate the already high-energy track to new heights.
‘9 of 10’ delivers the electrifying elements that we’ve come to expect from two of dance music’s most in demand producers, with its explosive drops, synths and captivating vocals. The track encompasses the fiery, mood-boosting essence of bass house. ‘Revolution’ brings an old-school vibe to the album, showcasing the wide-ranging versatility of Anti Up’s sonic influences. Featuring returning collaborator of the album, Leven Kali and introducing American artist N’Cognita, the track blends 90s R&B, dance and rap to create a genre-defying anthem designed to ignite dance floors. With impactful lyrics “we don’t want war no more”, Anti Up continues to weave societal commentary into their music. ‘Shambles’ maintains the album’s high energy while delivering hard-hitting lyrics “life’s in shambles” and “maybe if I cry, you’ll remember me”. The track adds to the album’s exploration into emotional vulnerability and existential turmoil.
Released as part of a double-single drop alongside ‘The Weekend’, ‘Control The Mind’ takes on media conspiracy, repeating a haunting robotic refrain: “control the media, control the mind, control the airwaves, control the mind.” This track delves into the manipulation of information, continuing the consistent conspiratorial themes of the album. Audio Bullys’ frontman Simon Franks & former Prodigy touring member Olly Burden follow suit on ‘Outlaws’ “I’m running and I’m running till I’ve run out of time”, capturing the relentless pace and rebellious spirit that defines the production.
‘Somethings About To Go Down’ delivers three minutes of infectious beats and vocals, followed by ‘Chromatic’ another addictive dance floor groover designed to soundtrack the night and keep the energy high. ‘Money’ features former touring member of The Prodigy Olly Burden for the second time, with vocals that explore the desire for wealth and luxury—private jets, expensive cars, and lavish homes—before shifting to a more reflective note with “money won’t make me happy”. The momentum continues with the bass-driven ‘Shake’, followed by the existential ‘Do You Know Where Your Children Are’,
The penultimate track, ‘Set Me Free’, channels the energy of 2010s dance music, featuring soaring female vocals, an intoxicating build up and driving acid-laced, techno-esque bassline. Closing the album is ‘Holdin On’, which sees Anti Up reunite with rhys from the sticks, the voice behind the album opener ‘What Is Life’. In this powerful finale, rhys reflects on the meaning of life, offering the uplifting answers to the questions posed earlier: “life is my daughter’s smile,” “life is your best mate calling when you haven’t spoken in a while,” and “life ain’t the car you drive or the watch round your wrist.” This motivational and infectious finalé track brings the album to a lively, feel-good close.
What Is Life tracklist:
01 Anti Up – What Is Life (feat. rhys from the sticks.)
02 Anti Up – The Weekend
03 Anti Up – Freaky Feed Me (feat. Leven Kali)
04 Anti Up & Kendo – 9 of 10
05 Anti Up – Revolution (feat. Leven Kali & NCognita)
06 Anti Up & hollow.io – Shambles
07 Anti Up – Control The Media
08 Anti Up – Outlaws (feat. Audio Bullys & Olly Burden)
09 Anti Up – Something’s About To Go Down
10 Anti Up – Chromatic
11 Anti Up – MONEY (feat. Olly Burden)
12 Anti Up – Shake
13 Anti Up – Do You Know Where Your Children Are
14 Anti Up – Set Me Free
15 Anti Up – Holding On (feat. rhys from the sticks.)
ABOUT ANTI UP:
It’s 4 a.m. Strobe lights and lasers illuminate the warehouse. Booming basslines, hypnotizing house music, acid-laced arrangements, thumping tech house and retro-sounding rhythms rumble over the subwoofers. In this moment, it’s all about the music.
It’s music that is provocative, transfixing ravers with its unapologetic sound. It’s music that is mischievous, enticing listeners with its renegade essence. It’s music that is unshackled, providing clubbers with records made with creative freedom.
It’s gritty. It’s raw. It’s British. It’s Anti Up.
Together as Anti Up since 2018, the duo have earned acclaim for such adrenaline-pumping productions as ‘Sensational‘, ‘Chromatic‘, ‘The Weekend‘ and ‘Control The Media‘, Anti Up are back, continuing to push the boundaries and define a new age of dance music. The recording project is rooted in taking risks and breaking the mold. Expression is at its core. It’s Chris Lake and Chris Lorenzo just having fun and doing what they do best: making us dance. And we don’t stop, especially now with the creative outlet entering a new chapter—one where they’re playing by their own rules. With this rebellious spirit comes Anti Up’s highly anticipated debut album, What is Life?
The album is an examination of culture. Anti Up sees what’s happening in the world, and they’re taking note. Their eyes aren’t shut—they are wide open. And What is Life? delves into what they see. Touching on topics such as life events, approaches to living and philosophical views are just part of their exploration. The messaging is potent, but it’s still rave-ready in sound.
Anti Up is the definition of unbound creativity and steadfast authenticity, staying true to its ethos: “Never established. Never limited. Keep calm? Says who?” What is Life? marks Anti Up’s next chapter, one that is sure to push the scene forward.
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