Scuba – Sub:stance review

Artist: Scuba/Various
Title: Substance
Label: Ostgut Ton
Genre: Dubstep/Grime
Format: CD
Buy From: Juno Download

The Ostgut Ton imprint has released its first Sub:stance album, mixed by Hotflush head honcho, Paul Rose aka Scuba, to celebrate the success of his and Paul Fowler’s dubstep parties at Berghain in Berlin. The Sub:stance club events feature the most forward-thinking bass and dubstep music being made in Europe, and Scuba’s mix brings this bass heavy sound to the home listener.

The album begins with dark and heady sonic tracks from Sigha and Airhead, setting the mood before Scuba drops an absolute burner of a song by Joy Orbison that would have you chugging your vodka-red bulls and rushing onto the dance floor, setting up camp for the rest of the night. Apparently, the sound system at Berghain is absolutely amazing, where the bass rattles your chest and makes your arm hairs vibrate, without destroying your ears, and it’d be quite a treat to hear such deep bass over a two-step beat.

The tracklist on this album features unreleased tracks from Joy Orbison, Sigha, George Fitzgerald, and Instra:mental, as well as four new songs from Scuba himself. Added in the mix for good measure are hits from budding superstars Shackleton, Joker, and Untold. This is the future of dancefloor music and an excellent primer into the world of dubstep and bass music. Check it.

Review: Matt Leslie