We ’bout to put you on to that new ish.
Contributing Writer Max Rewak
Over the last decade or so, American dubstep artists have been subject to criticism for getting away from the genre’s roots. Artists like DMZ or El-B never really found traction here in the States. Listeners who grew up with house and techno (instead of jungle and 2-step) were less receptive to early dubstep sounds than youth in the UK.
Despite the best efforts of guys like Joe Nice, American dubsteppers gravitated towards the more wobbly, mid-range tracks that some people like to call “brostep.”
We hear a lot about Americans ruining dance music – even though we invented house and techno. And we continue to innovate. Witness the latest fad in bass music – trap music. Taking underground EDM by storm are producers like Baauer, Flosstradamus, and RL Grime, some of the prime movers in this swagged-out, bassy fusion movement.
(Editors Note – Is trap new? It feels like down south rap instrumentals with an added focus on studio engineering. Without having to leave room (sonically) for vocals, producers are able to mix and EQ differently… as well as get more freaky with it. So why is it called trap? Cause that’s where they do dirt down south, baby! See: DJ Screw)
This brings us to the newest subgenre you haven’t heard of – it’s called Street Bass and breeds in cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the ATL.
It’s pioneered by two sister record labels, Seclusiasis and Slit Jockey, run by Philly producers Starkey, Dev79, and El Carnicero. They’ve been busy over the past couple months – creating a ton of cool merch, blogging about anything from food to cryptozoology, and most importantly releasing forward-thinking bass music.
Street Bass Anthems volume 5 is definitely worth a listen. Many of the producers are young guns, as yet unknown. The tracks are raw expressions of different musical, geographical and social influences. Some sound like dubstep, sound hip-hop, many like house – but they’re all danceable, infectious, and most importantly interesting. The compilation is a breath of fresh air. Some dope singles include Starkey’s “Circus”, Manikan’s “For All Y’All”, and “Think About It,” a collaboration between RX and DMC champion Shiftee.
Grab Street Bass Anthems vol. 5 on Beatport
Or get it via the Seclusasis website on a cool USB wristband