Dexter's Beat Laboratory Vol. 92
Dexter’s Beat Laboratory is a weekly collection of songs from DA managing editor 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.
Listen in playlist format here.
Honey & Badger and kramder burst in, guns blazing, on their latest collaboration, “Da Pinte.” This new CONFESSION release seems to be all power at first, but upon introducing a merry piano theme, it’s apparent this trio of artists know how to combine forceful beat with a groovy melody. Between the vocals, pounding bass, and infectious melody, “Da Pinte” has been stuck in my head all week.
Last Island‘s new EP is a work of art. The Scottish artist just unleashed his Sustain EP, which spans five tracks and sounds best when listened to cohesively. “Emerie’s Cave” serves as a clear introduction, leading into a whole collection of some of his best work, including the final track, “Let Stars Fall.” “I wanted to create a euphoric and synth rich sound with the feeling of traveling through into a new world,” he says of the compilation. And that he did.
Astrale has taken on the task of covering and reworking The Midnight‘s formative “Kids.” Starring Essenger on vocals, this duo have revamped the bittersweet nostalgia of the original into a piece that’s fully their own. The initial two minutes feel like an anticipatory build, dropping into a heavier bed of synths for a dramatic ending of the song.
Groovy beats and funky piano melodies abound on AMTRAC‘s new release, “Formal Disco.” Released his own Openers Records, AMTRAC shines on this latest track, seamlessly melding a smooth bassline with an irresistible melody. He kicked off his 2019 with the more subdued “Just” in February, but he readies himself for the summer months with this more upbeat original, which he says is a “long overdue follow up” to 2017’s “Informal Disco.”
Nora En Pure consistently delivers a sweet-to-the-ears sonic experience, and her latest is no exception. “Birthright,” released in original club mix and radio edit formats, features a serene piano melody, propped up by a low-key backbone of percussion. At seven minutes long, the club mix is primed to serve as a soothing outro for a night of dancing or simply bring a listener peace during a stressful time.
