Review: It's time to saddle up and strap in as we dive head first into the second edition of Subaltern's heavyweight 'Kaleidoscope' series, championing new school dubstep creations with a real dash of finesse. We begin with the untouchable unpredictability of Dalek One, who unleashes a horde of glitchy tripletted bass stabs, expanding into epic horn-like leads as the track progresses. This leads perfectly into Clearlight's more minimalistic 'Stuck Inside' composition, focussing on hypnotic atmospherics and spooky vocals, before Phossa rolls through with the haunted arrangements of 'Vacant'. Finally, Bisweed rounds this one up in good fashion as the rolling 808's and jittery percussive layers of 'Profround' emerge.
Review: As ever, Crucial Recordings have supplied us with a box of serious ammunition here as they invite in the unbeatable duo of Glume & Phossa for three tracks of pure steppers bliss. The first original takes the name 'Opal' and stars the title track for the project, working together smooth horn tones and stunning drumwork. This is then followed in style as the gritty bass stutters and to put it frankly, stunning orchestration of 'Feral', fusing together colourful melodics with hard hitting sub sections. Finally, we finish up with the skeletal drum structures and hypnotic bass pumps of 'Ruins', tying up a stunning three track selection.
Review: Now, following on from their previous link up on the illustrious White Peach imprint, we are thrilled to see a secondary collaboration project between Bristol's own Glume & Phossa, two of the most creative faces in the dubstep scene at this moment in time. We kick off with the stunning chime sweeps skippy kicks of the title track 'IMHK', before diving into Glume's solo creation 'Shriek', which packs some serious dungeon weight. Phossa then continues on the spooky vibe with his original 'Deathly Stare', before the pair combine their powers for a second time across the incredible melodic structures and arpeggiated melodies of 'Luko', rounding off another incredible body of work from the pair.
Review: As far as dubstep releases go, White Peach have unlocked a gem here as they bring forth one of the most highly anticipated collaboratory 140 projects in recent times. We are truly blessed to hear this four track polypheme come together, as we begin our journey down under with super sidechains and eastern inspired melodies of 'Buried', alongside 'Ghidorah'. Next up, 'Hatchet' wheels into view, stacked with arpeggiated energies and broad Arabic string harmonies, before 'Pariah's spooky textures are let loose for track three. Finally, we finish up with a real kick as 'Tusk' unleashes an array of hypnotic melodies and grizzly sub textures, perfect for setting the dance alight.
Review: Two names we are extremely fond of link up for this one as we see Phossa land for another solo outing on the incredibly consistent White Peach Records, giving us four system-ready slaps. We kick off with the title track 'Touch', an emotive ball of chiming melodic lines and sharp drum work, followed by almost R&G hybrid vocal slices and unpredictable percussive explosions of 'Lotus'. Next, the euphoric lead synths and crunchy drum designs of 'Untitled' provide us with more emotional harmonics, with the more mysterious arpeggio-based structures and super-swingy rhythmic layouts of 'Static' rounding off the EP in style!
Review: FKOF have been on a fearsome run of late, pushing themselves to the very top of the dubstep scene with a consistent run of high profile projects and drops. We here see them team up with the trusted sounds of Phossa over four tracks of pure steppers heat. From the super hypnotic swinging subs of 'Heed' alongside 3WA to the weird and wacky winding leads of 'Drones' and grizzly low end pulses of 'Stygian', this release packs a punch from start to finish. The project finishes with a look at 'Null', a chime driven trippy adventure, holding some subby weight and unpredictable percussive lines sure to send any 140 dance into a frenzy.
