Back in stock: Dubstep

Review: A heavyweight ensemble of drum & bass minds take on Break's most recent set of productions, pushing them deeper into system territory. The Bristol veteran revisits his own material alongside a dream team of remixers including Skeptical, Calyx, Mefjus and The Sauce, each adding distinct bite and tension to the originals. Alibi's flip of 'Headshot' is all murky propulsion and low-end snap, while L-Side draws out the yearning in 'Gunshot Love' with Liam Bailey's vocal laid over thick, heaving bass pressure. Charli Brix floats through Break's own icy rework of 'Lost', while SP:MC cuts through the dense, noir-streaked paranoia of Skeptical's 'Box Clever' edit. Clean but rough, emotive yet primed for damage, this is high-grade d&b from a cross-generational cast who know exactly how to thread vocals and subs without compromise.

Review: We've been saying for a hot minute that a dubstep reveal is due, if not already here - even though, as is the case with any revival, the purists will say the sound never went away. We would like to submit as supporting evidence this reissue of a stone cold classic split 12" from 2009 from serious dubstep heavyweights Loofah and Coki. It came on the pioneering Deep Mehdi Musik label and some 14 years on still has plenty of dark late night allure and killer low end wobble. Two definitive tracks that we can't wait to start hearing out again on loud systems.

Review: After over 15 years and 60+ vinyl releases, Pugilist launches his own label, Ruff Kutz, with the debut EP Monumen laying out his diverse production style and melding of techno, dubstep and 2-step influences. The A-side title track delivers a 10-minute journey of soulful techno drenched in dubby chords, Latin percussion and melancholic pads. On the B-side, 'Mannequin' offers a laid-back half-stepper with staccato sub bass and delicate chords, while 'Run It' presents a hazy 2-step groove with hypnotic bass and off-kilter rhythms. This new imprint marks a significant step in Pugilist's career and is likely to reflect his subtle and ever-shifting evolution as well as a commitment to quality, not quantity.