Dubstep 131 Items

It was a busy 2019 for Asian Dub Foundation with the long-awaited reissue of their Mercury Prize-nominated 1998 classic Rafi’s Revenge. The reissue garnered ecstatic reviews, all of which agreed that the sound and the message that ADF threw down in 1998 is as relevant now as it was then-perhaps even more so. So it’s timely that in 2020 the band are set to release their 9th album “Access Denied” which finds them as uncompromising as ever. The album showcases ADF in full spectrum mode from the tough Jungle Punk sound of “Stealing The Future” and “Mind-lock” through to the orchestral meditation of “Realignment” and the reggae lament of the title track. With guestspots from Greta Thunberg, incendiary Palestinian shamstep warriors 47 Soul, Chilean revolt’s rap main figure Ana Tijoux and radical UK comedian Stewart Lee, Asian Dub Foundation continue their sonic opposition to the powers that be and “Access Denied” kicks harder and higher than ever.

Rory McPike is an artist who holds a special place in the core of Melbourne’s musical heart. His primary alias for the past 5 years, Rings Around Saturn, has been releasing sub loaded technotic synthesis with hints and glimpses of a 140 bpm’d dubstep track on the horizon — The horizon is here — Welcome.

Abstrakt Sonance makes his return to Aufect for the labels's first 12" release in a decade! Enlisting the likes of Crowell and legendary Grime MC, Killa P on the title cut "New Style", together they deliver a smackdown with a skippy Grime-Dubstep hybrid banger in a mood fitting for the status quo. Label owners Greazus step up to flip "New Style" with a remix leaning heavy on 808's and an infectiously animated piano-esque hook.

The far west has long been known as hollowed ground for Dub Reflective arts, from the birth of Reggae and subsequent Jamaican diaspora to the more recently developments that ultimately informed Dubstep. Many key figures have emerged on the left coast of the USA throughout these developments in Culture and Roots-centric Dubstep, with key among them being the surfacing of LoDubs, and its rise near the advent of the sound in 2006 serving to inform and cement Dub's true DNA at a time when the field of those carrying the torch throughout the region could be counted on a single hand.

EU

Hold tight, Cimm's back at the controls. For the fifteenth physical release and his third 12" on the revered Sentry Records imprint, the prodigious UK-based artist reveals some of his finest high-grade sound system combustibles yet. DJ Youngsta's label demonstrates how it's done once again, proceeding with the consistent stream of quality excursions and another four mammoth-sized tracks to shake a leg to and light up the audience. Super-charged, Cimm's murderous sound design in all its glory.

Young gun and badman producer Retina returns to Foundation Audio for his debut vinyl release and quite frankly it slaps! ‘Dusted’ kicks things off with a hyper 4x4 beat and an eratic bassline – this one comes flying straight out of the gates! ‘Nameless and Nothing’ a meaner, beast with its eerie atmospheres and plodding bassline takes the A2 spot. Flip the record and we have ‘No Fear I’ a subby monster best described by the word SUB. ‘If Not The Orb’ closes proceedings with a 07-08 old skool antisocial kinda vibe wrapping up the ep perfectly. Dubstep goodness from front to back and solid proof that Americans can also do the dubstep.

Infernal Sounds show no sign of letting up during 2020 as they present their 5th release of the year, this time with a debutant to the label, SWR. The relatively unknown artist (formerly known as Widowmaker) has been making fluctuations since arriving on the scene - his release with Cocobolo Sound receiving high plaudits as he created two tracks which perfectly paid homage to the original '06 sound. As for his Square Soulja EP for Ifs022, he's plated up four cuts that showcase his vast variety in skill and sound, taking influence from grime and lacing a future sound within his productions. Whether you prefer the more surreal sounds of 'Vertigo', the downplayed filth on 'Isshin's Theme', or the more in your face skankers in both 'Square Soulja' and Cypher Zero', this is a 12" you'll want to be packing.

"Unbroken Dreams of Light" V/A Blueberry Records 2020 Side A;Who is Glen Faba? Hint: I could tell you but then I'd have to undo it. Arable sounds like philip glass if he took some K. Ruby Rod, a track which made the rounds in my live set for 3 years. I'd open with it in front of bands and everyone would take about 7 steps backward from the stage. '5' Todd Osborn sent me a zip of music after my hard drive crashed and I lost everything. I got the complete Blue Note recordings and a collab with Luke Vibert. Here it is. Side B;UC is deadly with the 12" versions. Track comes with cool techno sound effects as well. Horsepower Productions deliver a super rare hardcore artifact from their archives! Side C; Cousin Cockroach on Blueberry!!! You already know. Spurge - a total delight to know and watch out for more from this young beat scientist. Tune is called Deadass. Xglare - Jessee kills it, check her Morph EP on Blueberry - the balance between light and darkness in her sounds astound. Dasychira is slowly turning into a preying mantis and this is what that sounds like. Pretty much exactly. Bénédicte has been busy crafting away at their debut EP for Blueberry, I can't wait for you all to hear it. Softillusion is a dreamy warm blanket. Side D; µ-Ziq on BBR, another dream. We are coming full circle here for this IDM fanboy's wildest dreams. Brrd - I had to straight up jack this 2 minute section from a beat mix that Stewart sent me a few years ago. You can master from an MP3 folks! Focus Group 2. Meet my piano. Her name is Olympia, and my friend Margot named her. The Other Functions - my friends no wave alias is better then yours. Tenant - the rent is still to damn high. Peak acid programming here.

The record "Ghosts & Galaxies" tells the tale of Two Rangers and their epic adventures in the Next Level system. Listen close and you'll hear them travel through harsh landscapes while battling foes from this world and the next. Some legends say they were treasure hunters others say they were intergalactic outlaws. The only thing we know is that these guys are tough as nails and never look away in the face of danger.

Locus Sound return to their vinyl series with a bang. Locusv002 comes in the form of a three track release entitled “El Molino" from London based producer Lord Jabu.

Impressing the next set of colossal armaments onto wax, 'Order / The Mould' introduces a multitude of esteemed producers from London's musical melting pot to the high-grade Sentry artist roster. Fusing the sounds of bass music heavyweight Boylan and the enigmatic Logos, Slimzee the Grime visionary and co-founder of Rinse FM as well as the trio of veteran producers USF top off this epic collaboration. Following up on the latest anthem with Killa P and Long Range on the microphone and the label boss Youngsta himself on the controls, the 14th vinyl release of the esteemed UK imprint once again demonstrates its eminent value.

For the second instalment of Subaltern’s 2020 program, we welcome one of the scene’s best-kept secrets – Imajika. The three hard-hitting tracks take listeners on a sonic journey through tribal rhythms, punchy drums and immaculate sound design. Calling upon ancient forces, Imajika makes a powerful statement with the Stagger EP.

Off the heels of a few successful digital compilations, newly found LA based label For The Heads proudly kicks off their vinyl series with a 4-track collaborative EP from Subtle Mind & mrshl. All 4 of these cuts bring freshness and originality to the ever-growing 140 sound and are a meticulous blend of styles given both of the artist's virtuosity and creative ability.

A slowed down tribute to the dichotomy of mellow/heavy in mid 90's Jungle/Drum n' Bass, "The Shining Wall" begins with eery pads and a forlorn siren call, gently driven along by a subtle amen groove. Midway through, things turn more aggressive with distorted break switchups and a smattering of mentasm for good measure, before coming full circle and leaving you with a warm but somewhat uncertain end. B - Sgt. Risk - Weaponized Soul The flip is a more ominous affair, inspired by the short transition period ca. '96, just before techstep became a defined term. "Weaponized Soul" sets the mood with foreboding pads, until it drops into a relentless barrage of industrial beats and a cavernous sub. In the midway breakdown everything drops away, clearing the stage for a monstrous, swarmlike synthriff. Both of these tracks where never meant to be "conceptual tributes", but just ended up that way. A is fairly new, while B is the umpteenth version of a ten year old tune. Big up the Dolphin Man for convincing us to put them out together.

The prolific Dubstep pioneer Youngsta returns to self-run imprint Sentry Records, this time delivering the wax treatment with a murderous collaboration featuring the dons Killa P and Long Range. Title track ’Progress’ starts off innocently, before slowly dragging you into a field of melody that quickly turns into a warzone: Infectious stabs resemble heavy arms, which do serious damage thanks to the genius square- and sawtooth bass lines as its core.

Circle Vision proudly presents the anticipated debut album of Copenhagen producer and label head RDG aka. Ruben Nielsen. "Planetary Sound Fiction" marks the Danish label's 10th release with a subbed-out panoramic trip deep into the current state and future of bass music, with sound allies Killa P, Rider Shafique, K Man, Ill Chill, Monti and Yaa Aisin all complementing the hands and ears of the accomplished Danish producer throughout the album.

Infernal Sounds welcome the return of the illusive Irish producer Darkimh, plating up the scorching 'Tell Me Nothin' EP' as the follow up to his #IFS009 release which hit shelves in 2018. The title track features Manchester MC T-Man (one part of Levelz), a collaboration in the works for some time, providing the ultimate weight deliverance to the dance floor, igniting rigorous energy as soon as the tune drops. Darkimh backs this stand out piece with two different flips - a more trapped out track in 'Gin Swing' and the surreal and spacious number, 'Boneclick'. All tracks are perfect for different vibes and different situations, whether it's at home on your own, out at a house party or ready to lay siege on the dance floor. The release features a full sleeve artwork piece - designed and photographed by Gabrial Deacon.

For the first release of the new decade we are honoured to introduce LA-based Oxóssi who has conjured a captivatingly sinister sonic palette for his debut EP on the label.

Elite level lost grime dubs used in legendary Wiley/Ghetts freestyles on Westwood, Wiley’s Tunnel Vision 5, and a whole host of grime clashes.

DPRTNDRP make their debut on Infernal Sounds as they dish up their 'What Ya Mean' EP - supplying an adapt range of sounds and styles throughout this 4-tracker, which also features a collaboration with DE-TÜ.

Artikal Music UK is pleased to announce the return of LSN with their second release for the label.

"Rare, super limited 005 from Saturate! Records 7'' single series, featuring the now defunct Naive Machine and Krsur with some smooth hyper colored Garage and Footwork vibes, I don't want to say this but Calling Me has that James Blake feel. It's better, with the swing and even more uptempo."

There's astonishing depth contained within Nomine's music. His debut for Tempa took dubstep into altogether more tropical territories. Tis three-track follow up continues his progressive trend.

Echo-drenched melodies drift like a distant brass chorus, sub-bass as soft and powerful as an ocean current, and turbulent, continually shifting percussion abound across 'Nomine's War'.

Finnish producer Desto returns to Rwina to deliver his first full length album, ‘Emptier Streets’. As with his previous releases on the Dutch label, Desto strips the music back to its bare-bone essentials, fulfilling the album’s title with a sound that’s spacious and eerie, bleak and punishing yet still offers warmth in its apparent coldness. Stylistically the album is most obviously aligned with the aesthetics of Dirty South hip hop and the dubstep diaspora, deploying booming drums, rolling hats and cold synthetic melodies and voices inside cavernous sonic landscapes.