Dexter’s Beat Laboratory Vol. 76
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.
Metal and electronic music have been colliding more and more as of late. This collision takes many different forms, including artists like Matt Lange putting their own spin on the instrumentals of a song originally fueled by rock elements. Lange has taken Periphery’s “Lune” and leaned into its subdued beauty, crafting a minimalist backbone of warped bass and a dreamy guitar melody that drifts softly throughout the course of the remix. He allows Spencer Sotelo’s vocals to take center stage in his remix and has crafted a perfect atmosphere to complement Periphery’s original.
Notaker‘s off to an incredible start of 2019. His latest, “Into The Light,” pairs beautifully with its accompanying artwork, which depicts a shadowy forest highlighted by beams of sunlight. Karra‘s heavenly vocals set the scene, leading listeners into a gradual build before dropping into a booming melodic drop. Chirping birds and atmospheric layers of synths create an environment that’s both serene and powerful, as Notaker demonstrates his strong command of sound design.
Far Out’s “Worlds Apart” is what today’s future bass wishes it could be. Much like Notaker’s “Into The Light,” Far Out assemble this dreamy soundscape slowly, building gradually with lush beds of synths, piano, and strings. One could easily mistake this for an orchestral piece until just after the minute mark, when bass and drums enter to assert their dominance. “Worlds Apart” is a world within itself, full of mystery and anthemic melodies that make this a real showstopper.
And now, for a darker turn. Krayysh returns to Mad Zoo with a positively eerie remix of Shadient‘s “Leidenfrost.” He’s been making a name for himself on the Canadian label with his shadowy creations, only stepping briefly into the light for “Talk To Me.” Overall, though, his work takes a trippy, walk-in-the-woods-at-night tone, bolstered by glitchy bass and ominous melodies. His take on Shadient follows along this creepy pathway, pummeling listeners’ ears with haunting ambiance the entire way.
In a world full of endless “Shelter” remixes, it can be difficult to stand out. But REAPER is making his mark with daunting take on the iconic Madeon and Porter Robinson track by packing it full of bass and giving it an unexpected twist toward the end. The vocals have been pitched down in a way that’s a bit menacing, making the song feel more aggressive right from the beginning. With a drum & bass switch-up that takes over the last minute of the song, REAPER makes sure this remix is unforgettable.