Amusingly when something new is created that really takes off, or something that has been dormant for a long time is rejuvenated and creates a wave of excitement, everyone wants to stake their claim in the success story.
Unsurprisingly therefore dubstep is no different. Whilst everyone will want to claim how dubstep has evolved from more longstanding genres in which they themselves have been involved, the honesty of the matter can be disregarded when one considers the relevance of the argument. What will always stay true to those who genuinely love something is the beauty they see in the music, assuming it maintains its original purity. If we for a moment put aside which genres influenced people to create this music or indeed the technical definition of dubstep and take it on face value for what it is and how it makes us feel, only then can we comment on the music itself. Only then can we do justice to the production and sheer ball-ache that goes into making a piece of music. This is one such release that warrants that approach.
This forthcoming 12” on Hotflush Recordings is a fantastic example of a marriage of opposites. Perhaps not an oxymoron in the true sense of the word as both tracks have some shared themes running throughout, but this is an intelligent mix of two very different tracks. Bleach has an almost non-existant sub-bass throughout whereas Volt sets off as a more archetypal bass-heavy affair. On listening to this release it comes as no surprise that it should be a nouveau Berliner who takes acclaim for this effort. Scuba (Paul Rose), having left London, has now been based in Berlin for almost two years and appears to be flourishing as a DJ/producer in the minimal-fuelled environment that is Berlin. Alongside running a night at Berghain he is also head honcho at Hotflush Recordings and is helping forge a bridge between the worlds of techno and dubstep. This minimalistic release is undoubtedly dubstep in genre but is heavily influenced by the abstract sounds so inherent to minimal techno. The result is astounding.
Bleach is not far off of being a soothing array of luscious yet quirky melodies, though Rose does not allow his listener to be sucked too deep into this and reminds you that it is still dubstep with the gnarling sub-bass hidden away in the background. Rose manages to keep the overall minimalist sound despite using several layers, the ability to put together each of these without any one becoming too congested is an art in itself and very adeptly carried out here. There is an almost pneumatic sounding melody that persists throughout and again a pitch change is applied to this with real guile, it merely shifts through three octaves yet this is not always predictable and is done at the right moment.
Volt is a “stormier” track that should perhaps precede the relative calm of Bleach. It starts as it plans to continue, dominated by its snarling bass with a faster tempo and punchier melodies. Volt belies its more innocent and serene counterpart in all respects and is very much suited to the dancefloor where Bleach desires a more relaxed milieu. A vocal comes and goes repeating the word “system” which, whilst bringing little to the table, does not in any way hinder the progression of the track, nonetheless I can’t help but dwell on its worthlessness. All in all this is an excellent 12” from the well respected Scuba that is a valuable asset in any record bag or music library at home, not only does it possess the kind of energy required to get hundreds of people dancing, but it also serves well as a tool for relaxing with a handful of friends after a tiring night out.
When recently asked what music was, Rose is quoted to have replied “It’s when no-one is telling you what to do”. Dubstep certainly is that right now as the music remains pure and true but for how much longer will this tranquillity remain? Let’s be appreciative for being where we are at this exact time and forge some fond memories for years to come.