Dexter’s Beat Laboratory Vol. 82
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.
Nora En Pure kicked off her year with the release of a beautiful new Spinnin’ single with Ashibah, “We Found Love.” A few months later, she’s released a small set of remixes for the track, including one she put together with Passenger 10. The pair have opted for a more understated take on the song, ditching the original’s bright melodies and piano for a more subtle atmosphere—one that would seem more appropriate pulsing through a hazy club than its radio-friendly predecessor. This version creates a dreamier environment and paints Ashibah’s vocals in a whole new light.
It’s been many months coming, but the wait for new Goldroom music has finally ended with the release of “Cocaine Girl.” Fans may recognize the intro to the track from his June “Saguaro” mix, which kicked off with what would later become his first release of 2019. “Cocaine Girl” features the blissful, sunshine-soaked melodies and beats we’ve come to know and love from Goldroom. It seems like this track might be the first release of many this year, as the artist wrote on his social media accounts: “Thank you for being so patient with me while I found myself. Shall we go on a journey together this year? There’s a lot of new music to share…”
2019 sees the return of Habstrakt in his finest house music form. He first burst into the new year with the moody “Darkness” on Spinnin’ in January and now returns with a mighty new house heater, “All Night.” Out via Musical Freedom Records, the track is Habstrakt in his classic form: cranking out a bassline that’s irresistible matched with catchy vocals. Prior to these two tracks, the last offering listeners received from Uncle Habby was the trap-centered “All Night” in October, so fans of his infectious house stylings likely rejoiced with his return to the moody pulsing beats.
CRi debuted on Anjunadeep last year with “Remember You” and makes a splendid return with his new EP, Initial. I gravitated toward the EP’s last track, “Hidden Places,” right off the bat because it’s different from the first two tracks. Instead of a house beat as a backbone, “Hidden Places” features an alluring and gradual build that seems to take place over the entire length of the song, giving the entire piece an introspective feel. The song seems to leave space in between the breakbeats and the contemplative melodies for the listener to truly dig deep into their emotions.
Bakermat follows February’s pop-oriented “Trouble” with a spirited rework of Beatchild and Justin Nozuka’s “The Only Difference.” The Amsterdam-based artist backs the soulful R&B track with a spirited dance floor-ready beat and plays up the lively piano melodies. The song works beautifully in both formats, never losing its passionate core. Bakermat continues to bring the party to whatever he’s producing, putting his unique stamp on songs of all shapes and genres.