Dexter’s Beat Laboratory Vol. 72
Dexter’s Beat Laboratory is a weekly collection of songs from DA managing editor 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.
Listen in playlist format here.
The pure, vibrant energy of this Oliver Heldens remix from Tom Staar is what initially drew me to it. The original is also full of life, but Staar’s take gives it an extra kick in the chorus, priming it for festival stages around the world. I’m hooked on the anthemic kick of the bass and the added percussion elements that make it completely irresistible. Songstress Shungudzo’s vocals work impeccably with the groovy beat, too.
nanobii is a master at flipping iconic childhood songs into modernized EDM masterpieces. He’s done takes on “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid and “Go The Distance” from Hercules. His infectious happy hardcore elements somehow meld perfectly with these nostalgic tracks, and his latest is no different. He’s taken “I2I” from 1995 Disney classic A Goofy Movie and flipped into a powerful live edit. In its brief 1-minute-and-36-second length, nanobii weaves in elements of hardstyle and thumping bass… and it works. Don’t ask me how — it just does.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: any day with Feint in it is a good day. But any day with brand new Feint in it is an even better day. The Manchester artist has revealed his first release of 2019: “Drifters,” out now on Monstercat. In true Feint fashion, “Drifters” is comprised of lush melodies, emotive vocals, and pristine production. This one also contains a gorgeous guitar theme in the background that complements the drum & bass rhythm beautifully.
Also from 1995 is this original piece of music from Japanese film Ghost in the Shell. American drum & bass producer Flite has put his own spin on “Making of Cyborg” from the movie, calling the tune “truly exceptional and timeless” in his description. This five-minute remix is a true journey, as Flite meticulously works to preserve the cinematic atmosphere of the song while adding his own intense stamp on the number. It’s thrilling.
With the release of mau5trap‘s We Are Friends, Vol. 8 compilation on January 4 comes the arrival of two new i_o songs: a remix of deadmau5‘s “Imaginary Friends” and an original called “404 Anonymous.” The shadowy producer welcomes his listeners to hell in these two authoritative pieces that cement his standing in the music world after a strong 2018. “404 Anonymous,” in particular, shows off his dark and eerie style perfectly, dragging fans into the deepest depths of techno with sinister synths and pounding bass.