Dexter’s Beat Laboratory Vol. 50
Dexter’s Beat Laboratory is a weekly collection of songs from DA music editor and staff writer Robyn Dexter. With a taste that can only be described as eclectic — to say nothing of a name that lends itself to punnery — DA is happy to present a selection of tracks personally curated by Dexter for your listening pleasure.
Serbian trance and progressive producer Vintage & Morelli doesn’t often dip his toes into drum & bass, but when he does, the product is unparalleled. “Beyond the Horizon,” part one of a two-track EP that just came out via Silk Music, exudes tranquil melodies that the producer juxtaposes brilliantly with track’s swift drum & bass pattern. He wastes no time, building a mystical aura from the first few seconds of the song. It’s simultaneously calming and invigorating and leads perfectly into the EP’s second track, “Autumn.”
For their latest original, A R I Z O N A take a throwback alt-rock approach. The Jersey trio dig deep into the ’80s for “What She Wants,” and the result is stunning. Singer Zach’s voice shines in this song as he exhibits an impressive range, switching seamlessly from the verses’ deeper tones to delicate crooning in the bridge to a powerful chorus. “What She Wants” closely follows last month’s “Freaking Out,” which also showcased a nostalgic, emotive ambiance. There’s a beautiful music video that accompanies the latest single, which can be found here.
Known for their tantalizing remixes of EDM greats like Illenium and Seven Lions, Crystal Skies have teamed up with Au5 to create an otherworldly collaboration, “Cataclysm.” Packed with ethereal melodies and spacey wubs, the trio deliver their listeners straight to outer space. The song touts hefty bass and heavy drops, satisfying both bass music lovers and those who revel in intricate melodies and outstanding sound design.
NoCopyrightSounds has delivered a soulful drum & bass heater from Showdown as one of their latest releases. IMAN‘s vocals kick off the track in fine fashion, leading the listener directly into a bold combination of brassy horn stabs and a furious drum & bass beat. “Freedom” is a powerful number from start to finish, with each of the track’s components working together to create an authoritative drum & bass atmosphere.
Two new originals from The Midnight in less than a month? Not quite sure what we did to deserve this, but these two synthwave angels have descended once again, this time delivering “America 2.” This subdued retro track is full of hope, with artwork depicting an abandoned ’80s-style mall and a sign that says “permanently closed.” Tyler Lyle’s vocals tell the tale of going to look for “America 2,” backed by the duo’s signature guitar melodies and wavy synths. It’s a gorgeous addition to their discography and an incredible follow-up to last month’s “Lost Boy.”