Dexter’s Beat Laboratory Vol. 7

by: Robyn Dexter Sep 22, 2017

Dexter’s Beat Laboratory is a weekly collection of songs from DA music editor and staff writer Robyn Dexter. With a taste that can only be described as eclectic — to say nothing of a name that lends itself to punnery — DA is happy to present a selection of tracks personally curated by Dexter for your listening pleasure.

There’s nothing better than when genres come crashing together. Becko is the brainchild of former metal band Hopes Die Last vocalist and bassist Marco Calanca, who left the band to strike out on his own in the electronic world. I’m so, so glad he did. “The Secret” is a part of his new EP, Reborn — a collection of music that masterfully blurs all lines between rock and electronic music. Calanca’s powerful vocals and dramatic instrumentals combine to pack a dangerous punch. While the whole EP is incredible, “The Secret” stood out most to me, taking me back to days of listening to The Used and Saosin in high school.

Any new track by Skrux is guaranteed to be an auditory masterpiece. He’s teamed up with frequent collaborator Saturn on his latest, “Entity,” for an ethereal musical journey the likes of which come from producers like Seven Lions, Blackmill, Crywolf and, well, Skrux. “Entity” is along the lines of Skrux’s signature melodic dubstep sound, much to the delight of longtime fans. With a fragile introduction and dramatic build, Skrux and Saturn skillfully demonstrate their euphoric storytelling through “Entity.”

I’ve always been a sucker for well-timed percussion. I love watching drumline performances, and I admire anyone who can master the art. In anticipation of his upcoming album, Float, Slow Magic released a song called “Drum.” The up-and-comer created the song with a focus on just two toms, a cymbal and choppy vocals for an effect that’s strikingly dramatic. It’s an intense, energy-packed two minutes and forty-three seconds, and I can’t get enough.

It’s only been a week since the release of Enschway‘s “Over U” featuring Yeah Boy, but the track is quickly gathering momentum. I was initially drawn in by the catchy vocals, but the complex, futuristic chorus kept me captivated for the remainder of the song. His past pieces of work, like his flip of RL Grime with LUUDE and his remix of Calvin Harris with O5CAR, have brilliantly flaunted a cutting-edge sound. Enschway’s innovative sound designs continue to surprise, and I look forward to seeing more from him.

In a recent SoundCloud deep dive, a track by Tim Schaufert surfaced. With a delicate, haunting trap beat and mesmerizing vocals by CASHFORGOLD, “Taking Flight” quickly became one of my favorite recent discoveries. Upon exploring more of the German producer’s work, I found that the majority of his work has a beautifully minimalist feel to it. His attention to tiny details in his instrumentation make his music completely captivating.