Juno Recommends Dubstep July 2020

Review: Fresh from releasing the Birthmark and Eusebeia album, Bristol's Earthtrax returns with some old friends. Obeah is at the steering wheel once again, tagging in two exceptional MCs. Man like Trimetheus dissects the craft and graft of badmanism on the lead track; "Dead In This Ting" lives up to its name as his rifles out shots with clarity and venom. "Bad From Mi Born" sees him re-linking with Rider Shafique. Picking up where they left us on the label in 2018 with "Fix Up", it's another smoky, midnight stepper. And this time it comes courtesy of a classic jungle mix from Eusebeia. Get deaded.

Review: New gen dubsmith Sabab is making a serious impression with his current slew of breakthrough Artikal releases. First came the crucial "Guidance" EP in November 2019, then came the equally essential "New Dawn" 12" in May 2020. Now, our heads fully turned and all eyes locked, comes another massive EP: "System Skank" takes us back to the original science while "Piercing White Light" is the late night bulldozer of the bunch. Meanwhile on the B: "Fittest Of The Fittest" flips between a big sample splash and the sizzliest bassline you'll find all month while "Unity" closes on a deep space dub voyage, skittering breaks breezing in the background and all. Fit.

Review: It was only a matter of time before Boylan landed on Youngsta's Sentry. A master of dark subby funk, usually found more around the grime and breaks corners, his sound has always lent itself to the more traditional dubstep vibe. As proved by these two savage collaborations. "Orders" sees him teaming up with old mate Logos for a hammering halftime vibe that pays respect to the traditions but does with a slight techno twist. Flip for "The Mould" where the breaks come out in full force. A proper swinging jam with wild drums and an elasticated bassline, there's nice nod to the turn of the century dark garage and early Bingo feel as we're pushed and shunted into bassy parts unknown. Sentry just keep on smashing it.

Review: Lord a mercy, it's Lord Jabu and he's bearing down heavily on the Locus Sound who finally follow up last summer's killer 001 from SBK. Three tracks full, each one full of drama and spooky storytelling. "El Molino" takes us on a midnight graveyard stroll, all shadowy and pranged while "Swarm" brings the funk with a powerful 2007 flavoured widescreen bassline. Finally "Buccaneer" does a sea shanty on your mum and dad's bed, its creepy bassline not caring if the sheets become untucked. Scandalously good.

Review: Perez reveals his shadowy 140 underbelly and once again knocks our heads clear off. Tapping back into that classic late 2000s deep space droney immersion vibe, each cut wounds with signature 1985 heaviness. "Last Rites" is all prang and high voltage bass fangs, "Deep Six" plunges us deep into the sub abyss, "Spooked" takes us for a slo-mo skank in the cemetery before "Melodrama" subverts dubstep's UKG influences in suitably swampy style. Rite on.