Mala - Miracles (Commodo Remix)

Possibly the most celebrated dubplate of 2012, Commodo's masterful remix of Mala's dancefloor classic 'Miracles' is sinister, cunning, and confident. Paced gracefully, its gait is fluid and precise, fueled by a monstrous low-end and unrelenting percussion. Most importantly, it is now released.

Once a secret weapon for a chosen few artists, Commodo's almost mythical remix will now be found in vinyl crates the world over. It is a bizarre moment in dubplate culture to be sure; a bittersweet feeling for many. There is something truly magical for those fortunate enough to have heard it at a dance before its release-- the feeling that one is being let in on some incredible secret that only those in attendance will ever hear. It is not totally unfounded to claim that a full-run release on Mala's Deep Medi label will cheapen this unique experience. But then again, countless followers might have otherwise not had the experience at all.

-Farsight 

Le Dom - Polygon

Attacking house with sample-heavy and experimental panache, Le Dom's 'Polygon' leaps and bounds with a fierce low end, swinging as much as it stutters. Various machine-like swoops and rises evoke the sounds of futuristic software, drawing a parallel between the track and the artwork provided. Though only two cuts can be found on Le Dom's SoundCloud, the production quality suggests this isn't his first rodeo-- not by a long shot.

-Farsight

Show Review: V.I.V.E.K., Joe Nice, DJ Tornado & Primary Residents

Photo Courtesy of Dan Horvath

Opportunities to experience well-curated dubstep of the deeper and darker variety are relatively few and far between in America; this is especially the case in the Midwest. This makes appearances by the likes of System Sound founder V.I.V.E.K. and "America's dubstep ambassador" Joe Nice truly memorable. As anticipated, both delivered outstanding sets this past Thursday at Chicago's Primary Nightclub.

Hannah Wants & Chris Lorenzo - You Love Me

The duo of Hannah Wants and Chris Lorenzo have proved themselves a formidable pairing, known for relentlessly turning out crisp, bass-heavy house that takes no prisoners. 'You Love Me,' as with many Wants/Lorezno productions makes use of repeated vocal samples, energetic rhythms of the jacking variety, and dark synths reminiscent of deep dubstep. The track's half-step breakdowns give the entire composition room to breathe, allowing the sub-bass to come through nicely-- a frequency-range too often neglected in the genre of house as a whole.

-Farsight

Lion González - You Sound Like You're Close To Home

Lion González tears it up with his debut release, Close to Home. The eponymous cut, 'You Sound Like You're Close To Home' rocks a steady garage rhythm superimposed over a shimmering synth line that glides at just the right moments. The ubiquitous spliced and and re-pitched vocals typical of this style add a solid dose of warmth and soul. My first impression was how perfectly this track would sit in a Jamie XX mix.

Cluekid - Dolphin

I can't hide my love for Cluekid, nor for this track. I first heard 'Dolphin' on a mix in 2011 and it pulled me in with its refreshingly chilled out vibes and serene composition. The track remained an exclusive dubplate until the end of this January, when it saw release on Aquatic Labs. No doubt Clue will be dropping this one when he spins at the DMZ 8th Birthday bash.

Chubba - Round Up

Chubba on the buttons here, putting out a style that rocks a house tempo with the bass turned up to eleven.  A few sampled syllables and a persistent synth stab provide the melody while swung sub hits take care of the rest; the beauty of this track for me lies in its poignant simplicity. Not too sparse and not too cluttered, Round Up is contently straightforward.

STARZ - JUKE IT

Absolutely insane work from London-based STARZ here. This display of raw production talent brings new excitement to the now well-worn trap formula that has established itself on dance floors everywhere. JUKE IT features a wide variety of passages that flow elegantly into one another, beginning with a carefully crafted and expansive intro that makes clear STARZ's versatility as a producer before cementing a firm yet playful understanding of the bass-ics.

Farsight - Keep Rockin'

Ok, eventually I'm going to be putting out a 4 track EP. It's coming soon! Until then, this is the first track I'll be uploading for listening. Keep your ears to the ground, I promise you'll like what you hear.

Clicks & Whistles - Fumando

Huge sounds from Clicks & Whistles; serious heat. A lot of trap I hear is pretty formulaic party music, so it's nice to hear some unexpected sounds along with the banging bass. Despite the unimaginative weed reference, C&W bring some off the wall sounds and turn heads. Definitely working this one into a set very soon.

Mala - The Tunnel

I hadn't heard new work from Mala in a good while, so when I heard Mala In Cuba was up for release I was more than a bit ecstatic. As the title suggests, the Deep Medi label head has crafted 14 tracks infused with the vibrant and varied musical heritage of Cuba. Mala spares no opportunity to employ luscious acoustic instrumentation, lending the album a pervasive warmth and glow. The sound is refreshingly organic, eschewing the stylistic origins of dubstep (the industrial milieu of Croydon) for a rumba-tinged take on Mala's signature style. 'The Tunnel' is a heavy hitter showcasing exactly why I am so fond of this album already. Enjoy!

Al-Jabbah - نجمي الإسقاط (Astral Projection)

Middle Eastern percussion coupled with heavy bass is a marriage made in vibe heaven. Al-Jabbah of Ireland conjures a highly visceral yet atmospheric species of bass music that explores this combination and captivates thoroughly. Every track featured on Al-Jabbah's soundcloud including Astral Projection is crisply produced and rife with sonic texture. Put on some nice headphones or crank that sub, this is definitely worth a discerning listen.

Digital Mystikz - Horrid Henry

This past Saturday I had the amazing privilege of attending a show featuring Mala, one half of the the most venerable act in dubstep, Digital Mystikz, and head of the Deep Medi label. 'Horrid Henry' represents Digital Mystikz at their most volatile; other mainstays of their catalogue include the grimey, rolling bass of 'Haunted', and the hypnotizing 'Alicia'.

If you ever get a chance to see the Mystikz or just Mala or Coki, I can't recommend going for it highly enough. The sheer emphasis on pure sub-bass means that it needs to be heard on a large scale sound system to be truly appreciated; I felt like I had finally heard their tracks for the first time that night despite having listened to them many times before.