The first in the This Is Dubstep series from Get Darker was the biggest selling dubstep compliation of its kind last year and it's really not hard to see why when you check out the track selection. This second instalment of the series features 2 CDs and 40 tracks of upfront heavy hitters, unreleased gems and classics from the likes of Skream, Benga, Chase & Status, Breakage, Distance, Nero, Joker and many more. It's a full listen, with any dub head unlikely to skip through anyof the tracks as each delivers on it's own, with big and heavy does of stomach churning sub-bass.
Kicking things off on the first CD is the Hard remix from Caspa and The Others, and this track definitely sets the tone for a well laid out compilation of the finest cuts from the biggest players in dubstep. Highlights on this first CD include the classic from Ginz & Joker, Purple City, and the brand new tracks from Ikonika with Space Ugly and Numan's Stuck, which both showcase the superb talents of the exciting new producers on the scene and their foward thinking approach to the dubstep sound. The track selection defintiely gives a significant nod to the new players in the scene and their take on the genre, which is extremely good to see and adds to give a distinctly acurate snapshot of the current scene. There is also, however, a satisfying degree of slightly older tracks which could perhaps seem a little played out, but they are in fact tunes of such stature that they deserve to be continually heavily featured in DJs record boxes and on compilations such as this.
The second CD features a similar range of big dance floor smashers, but does allude a little more to the well-known artists, such as Caspa, although there is still a selection of top quality tracks from lesser-known producers in the scene like Cyrus' superbly atmospheric and darkly reggae infused Redrum. Of all the tracks there might be a partial let down upon hearing 'Where's My Money' for the hundredth time, only for the thought that this over-played track has taken a spot which could have been filled with one of the newer tunes currently pushing the boundaries of the genre. It may be worth noting here that although the This Is Dubstep series does demonstrate an extremely well-rounded picture of the biggest tunes in the genre, there may be something to said for the fact that the scene is every expanding with a whole range of new emerging artists producing unique sounds and really pushing the boundaries of the genre. It could be said that these lesser-known tracks, though superbly crafted, are not featured, perhaps due to the way in which they fail to really fit squarely in the typical mould of the dubstep genre.
As a verdict it's fair to say that the compilation delivers on it's promise, this second volume in the series demonstrates an near-perfect selection of the current and classic biggest tracks in dubstep. Looking at the work as a whole it's a great a listen from start to finish, with non-stop heavy hitting tunes which keep you skanking all the way through. This Is Dubstep 2 is very likely to exceed its predecessor and achieve even more success so as to become another best seller on the compilation charts.
Tracklisting:
CD1
1. Breakage feat. Newham Generals & David Rodigan - Hard (Caspa & The Others Remix)
2. Skream - Memories Of 3rd Base
3. Chase & Status - Eastern Jam
4. Benga - EyeTunes
5. Distance - Twilight
6. Drumsound & Bassline Smith - R U Ready (dubstep mix)
7. Tunnidge & Cyrus - Lights
8. Ginz & Joker - Purple City
9. Rob Sparx - Arcade
10. Demon - Cardiac Attack
11. Ruckspin & Planas - Oxygen
12. Noah D - Seeerious
13. Benga - The Future
14. DJ Hatcha vs Lost - Get Up & Rock
15. Fused Forces - Chemical Reaction
16. Ikonika - Space Ugly
17. Numan - Stuck
18. Way Out West - The Gift (Tek-One Remix)
19. Cyrus - In The Background
20. Chasing Shadows - iLL
CD2
1. Sub Focus - Could This Be Real (Joker Remix)
2. Benga - Descending
3. Jakes - Rhythm
4. TC - Wheres My Money (Caspa Remix)
5. 501 - Insanity
6. Deadmau5 feat. Rob Swire - Ghosts n Stuff (Nero Remix)
7. Benny Page - Pan Pipes
8. Benga - The Chant
9. Cyrus - Red Rum
10. MRK1 - Turn Me On
11. Fused Forces - Henry
12. DJ Potentz - Eruption Dub
13. Distance - Victim Support
14. Unitz - Distorted Life
15. Rob Sparx - Casino
16. Cyrus - Junk Yard
17. Hindzy D - Laser Treatment
18. Lung - Afterlife
19. She Is Danger - Hurt You (Subscape Remix)
20. LD – Ogor