For the second in my weekly “Essential (insert genre here)”, the target is dubstep. I just saw Skrillex on Saturday, so I figure I’d post my top 5 in the genre. Unfortunately, Skrillex does not make the list! He’s got great, intense music, but he doesn’t have a full album yet, and his main release includes as much trance and electro as it does dubtsep.
Artist: Album Title - Comment
Artist: Album Title - Comment
- Starkey: Ear Drums And Black Holes - I know, I’ve been pushing this album a lot recently, but it’s deserved. It’s got the Round 2 song of the week, and the 2010 album of the year. This is dubstep with heart. Moving the listener each ebb and flow of the bass, driving with the right beats, and featuring a variety of styles from smooth and upbeat to harsh and complex. Star tracks are Neck Snap and OK Luv ft. Badness.
- Skream: Skream! -Dating all the way back to 2006, this is probably one of the most influential dubstep albums of all time. One of the early uses of wobble bass, And featuring such classics as Midnight Request Line and Dutch Flowerz. However, in my opinion, the best track on the album is Summer Dreams. I’m not sure if it can be called dubstep, it’s basically a trumpet solo on top of a two-step beat and some unobtrusive sub-bass. This used to be my favourite song of all time, now it’s back in the top 5, but that says a lot! Anyhow, this album is absolutely essential to any listener of dubstep.
- Burial: Untrue - This is possibly the most critically acclaimed dubstep album of all time. Its sound is…haunting. Tracks like Archangel and Ghost Hardware are really powerful. However, this album can claim something that few albums these days can: it is a true album as opposed to a collection of similar songs. Each song transitions smoothly into the next, building on the emotion and atmosphere of the previous track, and a complete listening is a rewarding experience.
- Magnetic Man: Magnetic Man - The first album from the dubstep supergroup of Skream, Benga and Artwork, they really got it right. From filthy tracks like MAD and The Bug to mellow and soulful songs like Flying Into Tokyo and Getting Nowhere ft. John Legend, this album has a really varied sound, all within the genre of dubstep (except the opener). Also check out the song Perfect Stranger ft. Katy B from the album.
- Guido: Anidea - His first release, this album falls within the “purple” style of dubstep. In a synesthetic sense, purple is the most accurate representation of the sound, according to its purveyors. At any rate, give this album a listen! Purple dubstep is about bringing a warmer, more feminine sound to a cold, masculine genre. Guido hits that nail on the head with such tracks as Anidea, Beautiful Complication, and Mad Sax. Give it a listen!
There’s my list! For those looking for filthy sounds, here’s the reason there not on the list. I like intense dubstep as much as the next listener, but the artists that make it don’t make albums! Some do, but I’m not a big fan of Caspa or Rusko…they’re really hit or miss. Most artists of that sound just make singles and remixes and EPs, but no real consolidated efforts. Give those 5 albums a listen though, they’re solid gold.
- Skream: Skream! -Dating all the way back to 2006, this is probably one of the most influential dubstep albums of all time. One of the early uses of wobble bass, And featuring such classics as Midnight Request Line and Dutch Flowerz. However, in my opinion, the best track on the album is Summer Dreams. I’m not sure if it can be called dubstep, it’s basically a trumpet solo on top of a two-step beat and some unobtrusive sub-bass. This used to be my favourite song of all time, now it’s back in the top 5, but that says a lot! Anyhow, this album is absolutely essential to any listener of dubstep.