20th January 2026
Bristol producer Sir Hiss reflects on his debut album Time Dilation, and how working with Pineapple Records has provided the perfect space for him to push grime into new territories.
Honouring Roots, Expanding Horizons
Sir Hiss has long been influenced by Bristol’s grime scene. Time Dilation stretches those roots into new territory, featuring collaborations with artists such as AAEE and K-65. The result is basslines grounded in grime ripple through tracks modulated and manipulated into electro rhythms, as well as slower, textured tracks with Logan_olm.
As Sir Hiss says: ‘the bassline is always grime, but modulating everything has made it easier to move towards [making] electro.’
Much of the album was created remotely, with stem work connecting collaborators across locations, but sessions with Logan in Sam Binga’s studio were key to honing certain tracks like ‘Don Gorgon’ and ‘I’m That Guy’ – precise, grime-heavy beats.
'Pop Dat' stands out as a deliberate nod to club lineage: built around a large Miami bass sample inspired by Luke and 2 Live Crew, alongside the instantly recognisable “I Got Me Some Bathing Apes” Soulja Boy vocal. Rather than dominating the production, these samples act as hooks, dropped into already solid, driving tracks.
Also previously heavy on samples, Sir Hiss has leaned into hardware for this album, exploring original production while keeping the energy and grit of grime intact.
The Pineapple Effect
For Sir Hiss, Pineapple Records has always felt like a home for experimentation. Recently awarded DJ Mag’s ‘Best of British’ Best Label, Pineapple has built a reputation for nurturing artists and pushing boundaries through their sonic evolution.
Touring with Sam Binga and Addison Groove in America gave Sir Hiss the confidence to refine his sound, and the label environment allowed him to explore new directions while staying grounded in what makes his music unique.
‘Sam really pushed me’, he reflects, ‘and Pineapple was the best home for this album. They helped me focus on the best parts of what I do.’
Reception and Reflection
Support for Time Dilation has already been strong, with endorsements from DJs including Jyoty, Girls Don’t Sync, and Sammy Virji. For Sir Hiss, the album is testament to the ways in which he himself can merge grime with electro, as well as a statement about what’s possible when a label trusts its artists to grow.
Pineapple Records shows that labels can be more than distributors or promoters. By fostering creativity, providing mentorship, and embracing change, they allow artists like Sir Hiss to push their sound into new directions.
Time Dilation is a fitting name for how Sir Hiss has learnt to merge his past with his present on this album, and how – when done well – both facets can amplify one another.