Dexter’s Beat Laboratory Vol. 81
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.
Bishu‘s sixth Monstercat single comes at the listener swinging. He taps songstress Mister Blonde on the anthemic “Get To Know Me,” a booming future bass track that’s refreshing in a genre saturated with repeated sounds. Just like in last spring’s “Machine,” Mister Blonde’s sultry vocals again complement Bishu’s production perfectly, as she leads the listener up to a booming drop. “Get To Know Me” is part of the Canadian producer’s forthcoming debut EP, The Hali 2 Cali EP.
Since bursting onto the scene just two years ago, Midnight Kids have garnered support from some of the industry’s biggest names. From massive remixes to their debut original last June, this duo has shown no signs of slowing down—particularly with their newest remix: Porter Robinson‘s iconic 2010 “Say My Name.” Hardcore Robinson fans might be a bit wary of any remix of this notable track, but Midnight Kids have done it justice by focusing on the melodies and playing up the emotive aspects of the track. “Porter Robinson changed the way we look at making music,” Midnight Kids noted in their song description. “Without this record coming out things could have been different for us.”
I was obsessed with The McMash Clan’s swing-oriented moombahcore “Swing Break” in 2013 but had a hard time finding any other tunes that incorporated a swing element as flawlessly as that one. When I found out Teminite and Swing’it Dixieband had teamed up for a funky electro-swing track called “Party Like it’s 1923,” I was thrilled. Straight out of a Great Gatsby scene, this track employs bold horns, a swinging electro beat, and retro vocals for an overall classy and brassy aura. Teminite continues to demonstrate his versatility as a producer, giving fans the collaboration they never knew they needed.
Mazare returns to Monstercat after his October remix of Hailene with a gorgeously emotive collaboration with vocalist RUNN. The Italian artist also recently created an otherworldly drum & bass remix for Seven Lions and only continues to improve with each new piece of work. This new top-notch single has fans raving about the impeccable blend of RUNN’s flawless vocals and Mazare’s meticulous production—and rightly so. It’s one of the most blissful pieces of music to hit the Monstercat airwaves so far this year.
UKF has been showcasing some exceptional music so far in 2019, the latest of which is a collaboration of two drum & bass powerhouse acts: Hybrid Minds and Koven. Koven member Katie Boyle’s voice positively drips with emotion in this piano-fueled drum & bass number. It’s a vulnerable piece, and though the track is backed by a racing beat, it maintains an ethereal, wistful atmosphere the whole way through. The artists’ passion for their art form is raw and unguarded in “In Your Arms,” and it’s beautiful to experience.