Back catalogue: Deep Dubstep

Review: Basel-based experimental labels Amenthia Recordings and A Walking Contradiction join forces for their first collaborative release here in the form of the Flash Crash/Hack Crash EP. Both labels are known for pushing boundaries within their close-knit creative circles and this one features Agonis' heavy stepper and Konduku's whirlpool of low frequencies on the Amenthia side, while Lemont continues the low-end, tripped-out vibe. Varuna represents A Walking Contradiction and delivers swampy, slow-motion sounds in their signature style. This release embodies both labels' commitment to daring, unconventional electronic sounds.

Review: Rinse France branches out with a brand new label of its own and who better to inaugurate it than Paris-based Beatrice M. The producer makes a knowing nod to dubstep's golden era on this debut with the first version of 'Magic.' It is built on steppy rhythms with seriously wobbling basslines that are all-consuming. Glitchy effects and shimmering synths finish it in style and leave you dreaming of dubstep dances gone by. The B-side is a Techno Mix that reimagines the original with a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm and plenty of richly atmospheric pads.

Review: Bengal Sound is a rising star in the Bristol bass scene and now he makes another mighty fine statement with this two tracker on Wych, the increasingly essential label run by K-LONE. This one comes after his various standout tunes from self-released cassettes fusing dusty old Bollywood samples to red hot club bangers. 'Solace' is the opener and is heavy on the rubbing and cavernous bass with icy leads and on the flip is 'On My Mind' which is just as atmospheric.

Review: The Bitter End label and eponymous production outfit is back with a new and limited 12" of brilliantly dazzling electro, disco and some other unnameable sounds. It's fresh in its fusion of the new with the old and opens with 'U Up', an electro-tinged cut that glides through the cosmos with characterful synth sounds and plenty of colour. 'U Dancin' then brings wispy pads and smeared vocals to a twitchy technoid groove and 'U Perfect' brings out some spangled metal sounds and dubbed out low ends before 'U Burnin' closes with lurching beats and hefty bass under raw percussion. It's experimental body music that cannot fail to get you going.

Review: Long dormant has laid the tried but true practice of dubstep and garage artists sampling classic horror movie dialogue, pre-drop. We're thoroughly happy to hear that new Peaky Beats sublabel Brainjuice have gone and resurrected this zombie for us. This four-tracker from the label hears label heads Peaky and Vel carefully and creatively work in as-yet unknown samples to the stew; some kind of Frankensteinish exclamation on the dubstep A1 laments the feeding of a monster "human brains", while the breakstep A2 'Bacon Dance' hears more timestretched, dystopian vocals amid wobbles. 'Don't' leans more into the kind of melodic dubstep that likes to sample R&B acapellas, and is the most refreshing of the lot.

Review: Peaky Beats is a great name for a label that serves up such irresistible house and garage jams as it has so far over its first eight EPs. This ninth outing is no less desirable, coming from the in house production team in collaboration with Breakfake. 'Life In Stereo' hits a perfect note between kinetic drums and soulful, jazzy chords deigned to melt the heart. 'Rat City' is more filthy - a warped bassline screws about beneath more sleazy broken beats. 'Chapel Town' brings low end dubstep wobble to the party and 'Dub The Acid' is another filthy dirty skanker with echoing hits and mutant bass.

Review: Although Rhythm & Sound and Basic Channel man Mark Ernestus has worked with or remixed many different artists over the years, we didn't expect him to join forces with D&B scene stalwarts Calbre and DRS. Yet that's exactly what's on offer here, as the Hardwax founder delivers two typically deep, dubbed-out techno outings crafted from portions of the pair's collaborative cut 'Badman', which is due to feature on Calbre's forthcoming sixteenth studio album, Feeling Normal. Both 'Bad' and 'Badder' are typical of Ernestus' ultra-deep and hypnotic style, with snippets of the duo's original instruments, beats and vocals echoing in and out of a warming, all-encompassing, sub-heavy groove. In a word, it's superb.

Review: This is a four-track sampler taken from parts one and two of the One Hundred and Fifty Steps VEP series which is all about exploring the rise of 150 bpm dubstep, a sound that characterised by fast basslines, broken rhythms and heavy halftime pulses. From VEP pt. 1, L.A.'s Carre delivers pacey wobblers and then Berlin's Formella debuts with playful breaks and more wobbly bass on 'Dripstep'. VEP pt. 2 features Leipzig's Old Man Crane with their intricate, syncopated style shinning through on 'Grey' and Valencia's Andrae Durden then shows class with a Kryptic Minds-inspired low-end powerhouse.

Review: DDD makes a landmark signing here with the legendary dubstep artist Caspa who is undeniably one of the genre's most influential figures from right back in the early days. CASPA's Inner Space EP finds the main man back in top form with his signature sound of ice-cold beats, deep, pulsating basslines, and forward-thinking sound design all making a massive impact. The four-track project makes for an immersive journey through 140 BPM and manages to blend introspection with hard-hitting energy. It is impactful yet refined music that solidifies his legacy while pushing the boundaries of dubstep into new and freshly futuristic territories.

Review: An unapologetically eclectic body of work from Cimm right here as he spreads his 'Circuit Jam' wide and thick. 'Squeeze' sets the wheels in motion with a switchy, jumpy slab of 140 rollage. It's backed up by a stately stretch of vibes - b-boy electro attitude on the sticky sweet title track, unhurried tension and sparse beatwork on the tech-laced dark garage bumps and slaps of 'Biting Back' and the bouncy electro biz of 'Crush'. Naughty.

Review: London trio Damos Room serve up their take on dub-inspired bass music on this new EP which emerged from a rare collaborative session in Elijah Minnelli's loft. 'Commencement' opens with a deep, droning bass groove that's topped with a stream of conscious muttering to create a moody and hypnotic sound. 'Mineral Blend' brings a laid-back dancehall vibe with dreamy echoes of past sessions and remixers Gonjasufi, Lewi Boome, Dome Zero and Polyop individually infuse the tracks with dub techno, acid and experimental twists best highlighted by Gonjasufi's haunting transformation of 'Commencement' into a misty, immersive bit of sonic menace.

Review: Previously flexing on Wheel & Deal and Artikal, London new-gen 140 talent Darkai now lands on another one of the most respected labels in the dubstep multiverse - Deep Medi. Like all the best 12"s it's a game of two halves as he serves up the rough and the smooth. 'Break Room' is a grizzly, distorted, contemporary hot mess as crushed up drums decay in spirals all around. Meanwhile on the B 'Ogun' goes for much more of a timeless dungeon bound groaner. Booming echoes and snake-like bass, slithering upside your chops. Mood, tension and dynamics all in full effect. High grade.

Review: Denver's DMVU returns to DDD with the scorching Bruk EP, featuring heavy 808s and some wildly wonky grooves in between the menacing breakbeat interludes. DMVU's mastery lies in blending old and new and he delivers a meticulously crafted yet cohesive sound that is both physical and mental. The title track, 'Bruk,' kicks off with a thunderous drop that is guaranteed to shake speakers worldwide and introduces eerie atmospheres and warped percussive textures. 'Original Champion' combines quirky dubstep with medieval and 80s synthwave influences, while 'Suspect' delivers a powerful punch. The EP closes with 'Playback,' bridging dub reggae's roots with techy, metallic stabs.

Review: Riddim Tuffa's Echoboy follows up releases on Moonshine and Solway Dub with this exceptional triplet of soundsystem jams on Soul Ex Machina. Cosmic, meditative but kicking like a sub-loaded mule, there's a gentle progression throughout the EP. 'Roots Of Dub' immerses us like a Smith & Mighty blueprint, 'We Lock Down The Block' is a little more dancefloor focused but still heavily restrained and pared back (similar to Tipper at his deepest and most star-gazey) while finally 'Chords Trip' closes on a much more traditional digi dub tip. Beautiful.

Review: Ever since launching his Echoboy project on the label, Moonshine has played a key role in Adam Kupec's output. Rising up from his Riddim Tuffa roots with a disarming, deep dark vibe, he's made his sonic statement clear since 'Jahova' in 22 and 'Fire' in 23. Now back with 'Rasta We Rasta', his signature seems to gleam off the wax. Digital but warm and resonant. Dancefloor but laced with a little soul. Highlights are the ominous boom of the Danny Red featured title track and the tricky cymbals and shiny finish of 'Horns Dub'.

Review: In case you thought 'Nightjars' a few years back wasn't tasty enough, Foamy cooks up another buttery round for Magic Toast and there's breakfast for everyone. Each slice sits at a different tempo and spins a different yarn - the gluey Orbital-on-Mogodon 100BPM tech slug 'Multipass', the springy breakcore-curious lullaby 'Patter', the slimy sluggy business-witnessing blunderbuss 'Overkiller', the hopeful, playful but a little bashful 'Rarefaction' and the lonely chimes and cosmic wobble board adieu of 'Land' - but it all works together in a really immersive and inspiringly inventive way. Exceptional electronic music, this.

Review: Throw the gauntlet: Fast Castle makes a welcome return here with Gent1e $oul's new Shoals"=-EP which is a superbly deep dive into some new and previously uncharted bass worlds. All five cuts are versatile and vital offerings starting with the in your face aggression of opener 'Dark Age' with its hefty low-end wobbles. 'Bad Neighbor' has some stepper energy with big waves of sub-bass washing over you and 'Dusty Acer' then pays tribute to the artist's "dear but aging AoE2 gaming machine". Deep dubstep fans will find plenty of love on 'Illumination' with plenty of mystic ambiance to get lost in and 'Shoals' draws things to a close with half-stepping 160bpm power.

Review: The UK's Hamdi, formerly Hamdiman, has been a formidable presence on the dubstep scene since at least god knows when. We're therefore delighted to note his debut release on the instrumental dubstep label Deep Medi, proving that the often elusive but no less prolific Mala-run label still has their finger on the pulse when it comes to championing next-gen talent. 'Simplicity' recalls the tripletty experiments of the more experimental, nay brutal players in dubstep, with 'Killa' barely indulging even so much as a hint of reverb, except for on the titular sample. The 6/8 timing continues throughout, with 'Second Mouse' utilising a surreal "why?" sample amid sudden stops and tricky hi-hat creeps-upward. The sendoff 'Simplicity', finally, pays homage to an earlier apogee of the scene, perhaps nodding at Coki's raw and unpolished growly sound heard in his 'Spongebob' era.

Review: .Following rumblers and shakers on the likes of Well Rounded and Low End Music, Jackson makes his debut on Liverpool imprint LDH. Proffering some of his wooziest brews so far, the whole collection smacks of 3am liberty. From the moment the creepy opener 'Genie' wafts into view until the very last stench of triumphant hypnosis on the bruk influenced 'Power' leaves your brain, the whole collection is an assault of the vibe senses. The tumbling organs and heavy harmonicas on 'Shakey Shakey' and the trippy boom bap of 'Static' can't go unrecognised for that matter. Shake what your Jackson gave you.

Review: Sneaker Social regulars Alan Johnson return to the label with more unclassifiable gems. All flexing that bewitching, beaty brew of percussion, smoking 808s, shattered beats and crafty sampling, each cut hits with a direct physical groove. From the System-level dubsteppy title track to the more organic haze and swoons of the finale 'People Of The World', the UK duo have once again weaved a fine line between so many genres without committing to any. Tonnes of love..

Review: Last spotted on Strictly 140's Overseas VA LP, Spanish new-gen bass chef serves up his biggest dish to date on Subaltern. Linking up with longstanding baron XL One for the opener, 'Cronauer'. Unhurried, twinkling but laced with a bitter bass bite, it sets the dark dream tone. 'Piranha Plant' and 'Dorsia' see Kodama going solo. The former is a woozy arpeggiated charmer that sits on the hip-hop side of the beat spectrum. The latter hums with similar melancholy but much more of an edge to the drums and that ominous waspy bass tone. Graveyard grooves.

Review: Deep Medi releases are always a cause for excitement, so it comes as no surprise that some of their earliest output is now being given the reissue treatment, nearly 20 years on from the label's inception. 'Kalawanji' is the infamous debut release by London producer Kromestar, with vocals by Cessman, and first came out on Deep Medi in 2006. Now on a limited green vinyl edition, to contrast to the original black, 'Kalawanji' and 'Surgery' are as raucous a pair of tracks as ever, recalling the period in which growly wobbles were just about taking over.

Review: Chad Dubz's Foundation Audio label outta Bristol remains a leading light in the bass, sound system and dubstep scene. This time out it is Kroomen and Somah who pair up for some mysterious late-night transmissions designed to rattle the walls. 'Kaba Rhythm' manages to be both light and airy yet dark and heavy all at once, with some Eastern melodies leading you ever deeper into the shadows. 'Sub 37' is all lurching kicks and skittish perc with twisted metallic textures and 'Heavy Smoke' is a slow and purposeful rhythm that takes its time to lure you in. It's golden-era dubstep that is as atmospheric as it is inviting.

Review: Definitely one of the most haunting and quite possibly one of the most seminal cuts Mala has ever made, the show-stopping 'Changes' enjoys a long overdue re-press. Whether you were around when it first dropped in 2007 and never caught the wax, or you've since discovered it from many different samples such as XXXTENTACION's 'Look At Me' or The Game's 'Holy Water', this is an iconic piece of 140 music that transcends genres and generations. A contemporary classic, nothing less.

Review: Hyperdub kick off the vinyl side to their ten-year celebrations with this weighty four-tracker from some of the leading lights from the label's story. Mala is in a strident mood with "Expected, Level 10" carrying through that extra touch of melody from the Mala In Cuba LP. DVA cuts loose with the leftfield scattershot groove of "Technical Difficulties", reveling in tonal experimentation and jagged rhythmic flair to a stunning end. Still locked into the sci-fi trap tangent that characterised Severant, Kuedo turns out the haunting "Mtzpn" and Helix pops up for a remix of Kode9's "Xingfu Lu" that strips down to bare essentials with a little starlit soul rubbed into the framework.

Review: Swiss label Dub Colony Music Switzerland looks across Europe to Mob Killa from The Netherlands for this fourth release after fine early entries from Sentient and TCP. '70 Degrees' opens up with a sense of late night mystery and urban loneliness. 'Kill A Boo' brings some gentle piano tinkles over earth-shattering bass that has you lurching from one foot to the other. There is more duality to 'The Mansion' which has a hypotonic lead flute up top and more weighty bass down low. 'Elitist' shuts down with a further mix of elegant and heady melody and more physical drums.

Review: Mod Sens debuts on Programm LDN with an electrifying blend of soundsystem influences, techno, and electro. Based in Malmo, Sweden, he channels his diverse musical perspectives through the renowned Melt club night in his hometown. This EP, 'Misperceptions,' reflects a period when electro dominated Malmo's underground scene and therefore inspired the artist to craft his interpretation of them. The tracks are introspective, featuring melancholic pads juxtaposed with robust drums and a commanding low-end as Mod Sens explores themes of restlessness and constraint, resulting in four elevated compositions that push Programm LDN's commitment to advancing club music.

Review: Skid Row is a carefully composed six-tracker of modern club and soundsystem oriented Bristol-influenced bass music. Believe it nor not, all basslines on this release are created by the same untypical hardware device, the Benidub DS71 Dub Siren. The tracks fuse grime and techno, picking up early reggae and 90s warehouse toasting - far from shiny algorithm optimization. 'Rictus' attunes the listeners to a playful, deeply swinging bassline embedded in reduced drums and comfy pads. 'Cockatrice' unfolds a technoid, almost trancelike impetus - dressed in broken beats and thoughtful vocal samples. 'Weedlot' sticks more to the funky side and cavorts with witty sonic effects, while the flip meets with 'Clodbuster': a conscious, truly demolishing badass tune in the spirit of only-the-rawest UK bass and grime; 'Suttree', finally, slows things down to a wide and wry space garnished with reggae horns and contemporary dance music samples. The record closes with growling drums, reverberant chords, tripping vocal snippets, and a sub-bass targeted on blurring your sight: 'Calico'.

Review: Liverpool Dubstep Heads invite Russian artist Ninety over for some low-end fun and these four tracks are the result of their adventures. As with many of his previous tracks, Ninety errs on the side of trippy across the EP with strange off-grid flurries and psychedelic twists throughout. Highlights include the wavey sheen and sparkle of 'Rouz', the pinched staccato drama of 'Fear Suppression' and the all-out theatrical tension of the title track. Hunt and go hard!

Review: Former Grid member and now ambient superstar Richard Norris delivers two new oracular divinations for his very own Group Mind label, the imprint formed in and after the COVID-19 lockdowns to help mindfully assuage the creeping anxieties of the age. A six-track 12" limited to just 30 copies - numbered and signed by the artist himself (move quick, hares) - these six tracks segue between dub and deep listening, fronting the bass and keeping percussive elements spread and panned. Best on the obverse is the A3, 'Mystery Dub', whose endlessly delayed stabs and cutoff conga samples well convey a vacuum-of-space vibe. The B-side moves into snake-charming dancehall territory, the punning, chordophonic 'Rockers Sci Fi' and the vocal blissout 'Stronger Together' being the ethereal highlights.

Review: Dubstep and garage pushers Hotflush make a surefooted return, welcoming Perth producer Odd Occasion to their roster with an al dente next-gen garage cookoff. This 'Jukebox' offers six choices to the discerning listener, though you'd be hard-pressed to find a pub owner who'll take them on in toto - unless the landlords happen to be real heads, that is! All's well that this is a machine with niche appeal, with its formal calculations and dark contusions tempting fans of all things bass-led. Though the record begins on a volatile yet minimal note, the A3 'Simple' takes a glassy dubstep turn, virtifying the mix with hollow sound design and a stealthy grime vocal sample. The B-side betrays a sacrifice of genre focus, with 'Salt' bringing brutal trade zone techno via experimental trap sound design, and 'Tape' progressing through tender zithers, which help uptick the mix to reach a snappy folktronic finish.

Review: Always coming with the juiciest and most forward-thinking takes on 140 music and bass culture, Zhu's White Peach operations have been setting the benchmark for many years. And this reissue is a kindly reminder of their consistency and future-focused nature. Originally released in the summer 2020, it's now rebooted on lush yellow vinyl and, from the stunning Indian strings on the skin-scorching opening title track to the last rippling bleep from the finale track 'Renegade', the sounds remain as ahead of their time.

Review: The Vivid label is yet another one from Burnski who also runs Constant Blanc and Instinct. He is s single handed garage hit making machine and he knows how to tap into the next gen, too. Here he calls upon Peaky Beats for a naughty and nasty three track affair that has retro feels but contemporary style. 'Can't Stop' opens up with a 2-step shuffle and steely hits, then 'Get Ready' gets more free and melodic with some boxing little melodic patterns and oscillating bass. Last of all is the most menacing and dark - 'Wildcat' flips into a dub wise swagger mid-way through that is going to blow up the clubs.

Review: TRACKLISTING:
A1: Photek & Kuru - Fountainhead (DJ-KICKS)
B1: Photek - Azymuth
B2: Photek - No Agenda

OVERVIEW:
"There are mavericks out on their own, the fearlesss creators operating on the very fringes of their respective scenes - Photek is just such an artist."- DJ Mag

"Photek has sweated over every little drum sound and fill resulting in a complex and subtle sound that is a million miles away from the nasty sound of commercial dancefloor dubstep."- DrownedInSound.com

"Easily more creative, more experimental and more thought out than his counterparts. A revolutionary musician and composer."- Sputnikmusic.com

Photek stands mercilessly on the edge. A sonic scientist, pushing both his sounds and fans' expectations to the outermost limits since 1994, he floods the footnotes of electronica like MP3s clutter up your hard drive.

2011 saw him drop a series of sounds that reflect the truest perception of him. Driven by his years of studio discipline; sharpened by an acute awareness that he'll be received by the heads that know him well and ears that don't know him at all.

Destination tomorrow: Photek's decorated past and diligent work ethic leads us here. The new music you've heard from Photek in 2011 is yet another chapter in a life spent overdosing on sonic nuances and boundary testing. In the past 12 months his new material has been remixed by the brightest young stars of dance music - Boddika, Falty DL, Addison Groove and Breach to name a few. In turn, Photek has remixed for the likes of Moby, Jess Mills, Distance, Ray Lamontagne and was part of Daft Punk's Tron Remixed package - for which he has been nominated for a Grammy. His newly re-launched label, Photek Productions, has this year released the 'Avalanche EP' which garnered international support from tastemakers such as Benji B, Gilles Peterson, Skream, Annie Mac, Zane Lowe and more, and the 'Aviator EP'. The single 'Closer' was also released on Pinch's pioneering Tectonic Recordings in June, adding to the gathering noise that you can't ignore - Photek is well and truly back and you can be sure that whatever sound he drops next, it won't fail to get the world's attention... Watch out in 2012 for his installment in the highly influential DJ Kicks compilation series on K7 Records and his long awaited new artist album.


PRESS: Album reviews running in Clash, DATA TRANSMMISSION (+ Interview), HYPONIK, FACT, DEFECTED, RESIDENT ADVISOR, MIXMAG (+ Classic Albums feature), MUSIC OMH (+ Interview), SPIN (+ Interview Feature), TRAP MAGAZINE (+ feature), DJ Mag. Updates to follow.

Review: Three exceptional low end delights from Parisian artist Quasar right here on Infernal. Each cut as unhurried as the last, there's a latent swagger coded deep into each groove as the Frenchman does his thing... 'Reminiscence Dub' is a gloopy, dubby strut in deep space, 'Space Raiders' hits with a deep bounce that recalls the likes of Roots Manuva's hopeful anthem 'Witness' while 'Molotov' (with Causa) brings the EP to an explosive finale. Unforgettable.

Review: Dubstep longtimer Rednote presents his very first LP, also marking a first for the New Zealand label Iron Shirt. The story goes that only after a fecund period touring the Leeds underground scene, followed by a period of respite clawed out during lockdown, did Rednote catch the breath in which to hone his craft in LP form. With a title like Sanctum, we catch glimpses of the producer in a sanctified enclave, away from the deathly intrusions and bustles of the relatively Babylonian scene, all too easily seen to be a haven for musical responsibility shirking. There's something ever so ineffable or subtle about Rednote's sound, a sound that is mostly seen on display here. It persists in the drums and atmospheric tensions as a softened but no less hard-hitting mise-en-scene; the emphasis isn't on just bassweight or incitements to dance, but more on realising the otherwise unwrought possibility of crafting highly visual scenes - shady back-alleys, unscrupulous markets, nighttime wastes - out of the dubstep form.

Review: Brussels' Sagat is making ever more of a name for himself with his bass-heavy sounds and wonky perspective on rhythm. This time out he blends great harmony, trippy designs and innovative groove patterns on an EP for the fledgling Private Stress. '8 Legs' is a roaming percussive rattler, 'Floor Structure' taps into classic bass and dub and 'Yeah Tomorrow' brings more light and airy melody over a skiing and broken beat low end that makes you want to rise to your toes. 'DN2' shuts down with a menacing atmosphere and eerie pads.

Review: It's been a while since we last saw Sepia on Infernal Sounds but rolling deep with Rider Shafique, he fits right back into the groove with the sublime and title track 'Time Stands Still'. A fitting title for a dreamy vibe, it's backed up by a wide range of gems... 'Gatekeeper' is sludgy, gloom-coated creeper, 'Whispers' sees him teaming up with Ickle for an icy swagger while 'Trust' closes the EP on a gentle, woozy tip. Timeless.

Review: Few labels have been as important to the development of deep dubstep over the last decade than the Deep Medi Musik crew. Here comes another of their fine transmissions, ready and waiting to rattle your ribs and test your bowels. Somah is at the buttons for the four cuts and kicks off with 'Irked' which has inky bass and haunting late night leads over a heavy but deft bottom end. 'Mirrors' pairs more eerie empty space with echoing hits and distant sirens and 'Cold Chain' has a warmer, even slightly soulful sound thanks to the pad work. 'Unmarked' closes with a clatter of percussive menace.

Review: The return of Sorrow, characteristically with a gracefully morose new six-tracker, 'Unrequited'. "How can I forgive?" goes the rheum-smeared vocal sample opening out the Bristolian artist's new opener 'Monologue', after which amnestic choral lines follow like heavenly flights, singing thee to thy rest. Many a temporal restretching of the 2-step grief-garage paradigm follow, as on the slo-mo dancehall of 'Fallen Angel', the pan-fluting, blossom treeing dubstep of 'Unrequited', and an unlikely future downtempo saudade, 'Hedron'. It's nice to hear Sorrow back in action; without his continued presence, we might otherwise drown our own in other, less musical liquids.

Review: Nadia Struiwigh's Pax Aurora was a standout ambient techno LP in 2022, and now Nous Klaer Audio have returned to the project to commission a grip of remixes which respond to the source material in distinctive ways. DJ Nobu takes a delicate, mesmerising approach to 'Nana', while Jakojako plumbs the depths of immersive, feathery techno. With Om Unit and Julia Gjertsen representing with equally hypnotic, elegant versions on the flip as well, this is the perfect example of a remix EP which truly adds weight to the original release.

Review: It's sleepy liminal steppers' zones aplenty on Sub Basics' latest full-length for Temple Of Sound, Rooms In Time-Space. As if imagining a purely abstract, extremophilic lifeworld, seed-generated for the pure purpose of headnodding, the latest incarnation of Sub Basics' enduring dubstep sound reflects the artist's unyielding exploration of a certain form, in thrall to which one simply cannot go wrong, provided one has mastered it. With its considered track titles like 'Basement', 'Wilderness', 'Quantum Zone', 'Observatory', 'Nonlinear' and 'Tangent', a detached, stoic, hard-scientific mood is evoked throughout, as if to liken the art of dubstep that of an oblique graphical process, void of emotive distortions. But that's just the front face of the project; deeper listens reveal an abiding humanity behind the beats, an aspect of our being that never tires of such driving broken propulsions, such immersive post-blast movements.

Review: Munich's Ilian Tape is best known for its killer breakbeat driven techno sounds but various sub-labels and series also delve into ambient and, in this case, trap beats and grimy production. Sustrapperazzi hails from Hastings in the UK and make a great impression with the first volume of this Beat Tape. 'Part 2' is another one with late night menace, gritty textures and urban swagger all tempered by some meaningful melodies and indelible pads. It's an absorbing instrumental journey into nocturnal London with killer cuts like 'Japan Drillings' and 'Learn Suttin' parting physical low ends and screw basslines with emotive little vocal hooks and fragments of melody.

Review: Now four years deep, Taiko's 'Oaken' still shines as White Peach remind us with this lovely limited pink vinyl. The title track, smouldering with Hodge's sax clouds, hits with a hard chill edge before we spiral deeper and deeper into the mystic mire. 'Lawless' cascades into a fluting tooting mess, 'Spent' is the sonic equivalent of a marble effect, all molten and oily but prone to sudden flurries and 'Where Ya From' finishes on the most dancefloor minded vibe as the bass wobbles away under those ever present flutes. Sublime. Just as it was back then. Don't sleep on this like you did last time.

Review: The bad news? We're all absolutely doomed. There's no way back from where humanity has taken us. We seem drawn like moths to a dystopic light. The good news? If this is anything to go by (or the inaugural one back in 2018) then hell has a ruddy sick soundtrack. Deep, beguiling, disarming; vibes on this black mirror menu range from the pure drama and stern soliloquy of Rider Shafique over 'Iceman' with Karnage and the tribal hypnosis of Sofa's 'Lost' (which is a really interesting departure from the jungle she is best known for) and plenty of dubby reflection rippling throughout. See you on the dark side.

Review: Monsieur like Von D returns for another sermon at the Deep Medi cathedral and there's not a dry pew in sight. Following his sublime sub-soaked sonic trad dub vibes on his last Deep Media EP 'Hermetica' in 2020, this one hits with much more of a direct and heavy electronic vibe. 'Arcane' rattles out a nagging jagged analogue riff while 'Runtz' bangs out the war drums with an Amit-level military flare. Finally 'THL' brings back the bouncier, more organic side to Von D but there's still a really furious and crisp bite on those horns. Even with a discog as consistent and crisp as Von's, this is proper stand out tackle. Magnifique.

Review: Wall In The Hole kicks off life with a first EP from an unbeknown producer of the same name. The label will be tapping into what some (us) are calling the great dubstep revival with a super minted, one time only pressing of two brilliantly juicy tunes. 'Monia' has bright synths and warm chords over nimble drums and bass that convey real weight, all topped off by a superb r&b vocal sample from the golden era. 'Reckless' on the flip is another one defined by its magnificent vocals sample, but this one has more broken beats and lively bass swings, low end wobble and wooden percussion.

Review: Repping Sugar Records and Tanum Sounds, Winsome comes through with three really interesting perspectives. 'Tab' is a unique and highly springy piece of work as it works and wriggles its away around some well sculpted table drum hits and sub plunges. '24gb' takes us down a much dreamier pathway, sitting somewhere between Indian Ropeman and Chicken Lips. Finally 'Who' closes this stunning EP with a faraway drone. Intense.

Review: White Peach maestro Zha is a regular member of the Naan label family and is back with another EP that follows up quickly from two previous efforts earlier in the year. As always he brings together grime, trap and dubstep into intoxication soundtracks that are full of mystery and intrigue. 'What Have You Done' kicks off with melancholic bass and moody melodic hooks then 'Let's Throw It All Away' further draws on Zha's heritage with another blend of plucked strings and lurching beats. 'Chup' ups the ante with more edgy and unsettling leads and 'Hiding Place' closes down with the most spacious sound of the lot.

Review: We've always been hip to deep dubstep and Naan does it better than most. Their latest transmissions is from Zha who offers up an eclectic EP that seamlessly fuses Bollywood, dubstep, UK garage and breaks. The genre-defying journey begins with 'Quit Dreaming, Grow Up' which serves as a heartfelt ode to artists navigating the delicate balance between crafting their work and the fleeting nature of its consumption. Both a celebration and a reflection, the rest of the release captures the tension between creative passion and the relentless pace of modern music culture, so is impactful on many levels at once.