Skrillex largely retreated from the public eye in order to deal with mental health issues during 2022, although he did receive notice for his contributions to releases by Beyonce, 100 gecs, Kid Cudi, and others. He came back in a big way at the beginning of 2023, first with the release of the grime throwback "Rumble" (with Flowdan and Fred again..), and then with further singles featuring guests like PinkPantheress, Bobby Raps, and Bladee. Two Skrillex albums, Quest for Fire and Dont Get Too Close, appeared one day after the other in February, with the second arriving as he was headlining a last-minute sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. Several of the producers 2021 and 2023 singles are spread throughout the track listings of both albums, with Quest for Fire focusing on dance tracks, while Dont Get Too Close concentrates on pop and emo-rap songs. The tracks on Quest for Fire go for instant dancefloor gratification, but theyre far more refined and nuanced than the brostep ragers that made Skrillex a household name in the early 2010s. "Rumble"s tight, jittery beats constantly seem on the verge of combustion, but keep the listener on edge with anticipation, and tracks like the Joker-featuring "Tears" recall the spaciousness of early U.K. dubstep, yet could easily work in a festival trap set as well. Missy Elliott and Mr. Oizo both make welcome cameos on the surefire crowd mover "RATATA," Eli Keszler adds some intricate percussion to the flickering "A Street I Know," and "TOO BIZARRE (juked)" (with Swae Lee, Siiickbrain, and Posij) is a curious, hyperkinetic fusion of emo and Chicago juke. Other guests on the album include Porter Robinson, Bibi Bourelly, Pete Wentz, and Dylan Brady. Quest for Fire was generally hailed by fans and critics as Skrillexs creative rebirth, and it debuted at number 51 on the Billboard 200. ~ TiVo Staff

Rovi