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Initially, I didn’t really get dubstep. It all seemed to be the same slow beat with the same over modulated bass and not much else going on to make it interesting. Thanks to this Diplo compiled collection of tracks, however, I am a diehard convert.
Dubstep shares a lot in common with its distant ancestor, jungle, and with its cousin, drum ‘n’ bass, in terms of sounds, beats and aggression. Sure, the beats in dubstep are much slower, but there is a definite breakbeat quality to them. Unlike its relatives, though, dubstep has a dark, seedy street quality to it, a vibe similar to more gangsta-oriented hip-hop or gabba hardcore.
Blow Your Head is full of stellar tracks, some of which stand out more than others. Diplo’s collaboration with rapper Lil John, “U Don’t Like Me (Datsik Remix)” is particularly effective with its pounding sledgehammer beat and extremely violent lyrics. Rusko offers “Cockney Thug (Caspa Remix),” a particularly dirty track that begins with a nasty cockney monolog from a film (possibly Snatch, though there seems to be some debate about that) and kicks directly into something that’s akin to The Mad Professor on PCP. Jessica Mauboy‘s “Burn (Stenchman Remix)” is the “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor) of the new generation, melding bitter relationship lyrics with a heavy dubstep beat that also contains some drum ‘n’ bass qualities. “Hold the Line (Skream Remix)” from Major Lazer featuring Mr. Lexx and Santigold comes across as an a capella dancehall reggae track with sparse robotic drumbeats. DZ‘s “Down” is a confrontational track that nods to early ’90s jungle.
Whether, as I was, you’re wary of the dubstep thing, or you’re completely new to the genre and need a good place to start, this compilation is for you. It will truly blow your head wide open.
