The heart of dubstep always thumps with a meaningful lament. Due to its considerable downbeat, the genre tends to look toward minor keys, brittle samples and heavy, heavy bass. Those who dismiss the new genre as a one-trick pony also have another thing coming. While definitive mixes from outstanding labels like Tempa continue to solidify the template, artists like Quantize further expand on the bass-heavy beat. Here, a stunning bass pulse pulls the floor from under you while the nefarious voice brings you further down:

Quantize - “Meatgrinder (Remix)”

(If you don’t have a subwoofer, find one).

The true champion of Dubstep, though, is an unknown Brit named Burial. The fact that the producer has remained anonymous in a world of surveillance footage, web 2.0 and the end of privacy is one thing — that he makes some of the most beautiful music of the decade is quite another.  His debut, a compendium of his tracks on the Hyperdub label, was quite simply the best album that will be released this decade. The follow-up, which is undoubtedly bending all the rules of sales, buzz and hype, is an even more refined piece of genius. You can, and should, pick it up here for $10.

Leave it to the king-makers at Vice Records to get Burial on a remix. The unknown dubstep master has put down a few remixes already, but none as large as the new face of Brit Rock, Bloc Party. Of course, our hero transforms an already sorrowful song into one lamentation regarding the loss of home. Under digital showers Kele Okereke’s voice is modified, transformed and bent into Burial’s already timeless style. Totally thrilling.

Bloc Party - “Where Is Home? (Burial Mix)”

The second mix I wrote about for Pitchfork Media was from the almighty Diplo, who recenly visited Jamaica to record some of the island’s most devastating vocalists (watch an interview about it over at XLR8R.tv). Diplo is leading the way of the new music business and creating some astonsihingly fresh-sounding music along the way. For my money, dude should be supported for everything he’s doing so far.

Here’s the tracklisting as he wrote it:

i like turtles
mr vegas lean wit it
paper planes ft bun b and rich boy
schooly d - gucci time
yyy’s - rockers to swallow
madonna - sidewalks talk
belle stars - iko iko
the knife - heartbeat
diplo & switch ft elephant man - east, west (remix)
nirvana drain you /
baby huey -pop lock and drop it
bay of figs ward 21 mix
dj tamiel bump like this
queen under pressure
eddie money - take me home tonight
souljah - crank dat superman
bat for lashes - whats a girl to do break
organ donar sandrinho remix
solta frango ft beanie man
hot fuk - diplo mix
calabria - enur (2006 mix)
spoon - paper tiger
circle children - zulu
boyz remix ft akon
hi powered boyz get down
boy 8 bit - suspense is killing me
kw griff tonys back
diplo work is never over
m.i.a. - bamboo
sizzla - bamboo dubplate
blaqstarr supastar
shai - if I ever fall in love again - dub
orbital halcyon
LA priest - engine (diplo edit of erol alkin remix)
petter - some polyphony
rihanna - umbrella (vandalism mix)
justice - phantom pt 2 (soulwax mix)
white stripes - little cream soda
ZZT - lower state of consciousness
kia shine crispy
bartman so kripsy mix

Here is the mix:

Diplo - “August 2007 Mix”

Speaking of XLR8R, Speaking In Code stars Modeselektor appear on the cover of the new XLR8R magazine:

Download the whole issue as a .pdf here.

Their latest remix is being heard out in some clubs these days. It’s a remix of their buddy Apparat (who also appears in our film). Buy more from the chaps here.

Apparat Featuring Raz Ohara - Holdon (Modeselektor Remix)

Sounds a bit like Meatgrinder, we reckon.

 

 Quantize - Meatgrinder: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Bloc Party - Where is Home (Burial Mix): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Diplo - August 2007 Mix: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Apparat Featuring Raz Ohara - Holdon (Modeselektor Remix): Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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