Playlist of the Week: Machinedrum

I've been a longtime fan of Skeptical. His productions hit so hard while staying so minimal. I usually use his tracks as a mixing reference with my own songs to make sure my transients are hitting nice and there is overall clarity. This track in particular always gets a reaction from the crowd early on in my sets, slow swampy dubstep that manages to be clean and dirty at the same time.

Ushuu is one of those rising stars that you can't help but pay attention to. Every single release has been a smash, and it's been incredible watching how fast he's risen lately. This tune takes a step away from the more bombastic, in-your-face tunes he's made a name with, and steps into deeper and darker territory.

I've recently discovered Jaz's music and have become an instant fan. This tune encapsulates everything I love about dubstep. It could have easily come out 20 years ago, which is a testament to how real of a head she must be. I'll be on the lookout for more from her, as should you.

The homie Francesco never ceases to amaze. Literally one of the best producers right now, it's super hard to think of anyone who comes close. This tune was one of my weapons in my sets for a couple of years and continues to be now that it's released on Alix Perez's (another absolute DON) latest 1985 compilation.

There aren't too many producers out there that are taking risks these days. GRRL happens to be one of the few that simultaneously make challenging and danceable music, two things that normally don't go well together. Their music always gets a confused yet excited reaction on the dance floor, which is my favorite combo. This tune adds a nice dose of chaos to my sets and makes me giddy every time I drop it.

Another close homie of mine, Thys is seriously one of the best out there right now. He is constantly challenging himself to not get stuck in one lane, all while maintaining a consistency of instantly recognizable sound that is hard to come by. His recent experiments with super-speed French house and juke-type tracks like this one are instant dancefloor savers. Infectious, rhythmic and so so so much fun.

Similarly to Thys, COIDO is another artist who continues to embrace multiple dance-floor-based genres and tempos while maintaining an artistic signature. Typically atonal and non-melodic, his tunes tend to grab your attention immediately and suck you into a rhythmic pummeling that you may or may not be ready for. This collab with Deft, another heavy hitter in the "not bound by genre" world, shows that darker rhythmic tracks can also have a sense of humor.

This track was a bit of a surprise to me. I'm used to hearing very heady, sound-design-laced drum & bass and dark dance floor tunes from Posij. It's a breath of fresh air in a world of everyone trying to out-sound-design each other and sticks to pure ravey euphoria to motivate and energize the club. Every time I drop this tune the dance floor electrifies with smiling bodies bouncing around with excitement.

The two Portland boys are at it again with another wild transformation of classic 90s rave music. With their recent collabs and b2b sets it's very clear they know what they are doing. They somehow manage to stay true to certain staples and almost cliche aspects of those rave sub-genres while completely flipping them on their heads in a destructive and maximalist tip. Their ability to make you have instant bass-face while also laughing out loud at how ridiculous some of the drops are, is unparalleled.

I don't normally play a lot of jump-up dnb in my sets, but when I do, it's impossible not to include a tune from Simula. Absolute filth every time. While strictly following the jump-up blueprint, he manages to defy expectations with every drop. Always perplexing me and making me go "wtffffff." He's another quick riser and has yet to disappoint. This collab with Critical head-honcho Kasra has been rinsed in my sets lately.