UKF Dubstep 2012

Who needs a DJ when you’ve got a mix like this to crank at your next party? A generous 21 tracks deep, AEI Media’s UKF Dubstep 2012 drops the best dubstep recordings into a flowing groove that’s sequenced to keep the bass low and the momentum up like a bulk case of energy drinks. Birmingham, England’s Emalkay (Martin Knowles) gets things started with “Bring It Down,” where looped female vocals skip over twitchy rhythms, reedy synth notes, and an intensely strong bass. 12th Planet collaborates with Antiserum in “Bass Salt,” balancing gritty, grimy bass textures with icy synth notes and skittering beats. But the buildup to the bass drop is what delivers palpable anxiety and release here. Tritonal’s Seven Lions bestows an outstanding track with the beautiful electro ballad “Still with Me,” featuring Cristina Soto's ethereal vocal inflections. What’s amazing is how Lions contrasts a lilting composition with perfectly danceable rhythms. Conversely, Diane Charlemagne sings a soulful wail in “Wanna Die for You,” in which Belgian producer Netsky drops a deep bass.