Bassnectar - Freestyle (EP) (Amorphous Music)

A dubstep disc for the diehard

Nov 14, 2012 at 12:00 am
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Bassnectar - Freestyle (EP) (Amorphous Music)
Amorphous Music

Following on April's generally interesting LPVava Voom, Bassnectar's scattershot EP of also-rans exemplifies unintelligent dance music. Whatever your disposition, the music known as dubstep is unique and here to stay, and Lorin Ashton — the DJ behind Bassnectar — has admirably collaborated with a wide range of musicians, from rappers to punk rockers, who add irony and emotion to an often mechanical-sounding sub-genre. Frustratingly, however, just when an homage to Skrillex sounds fruitful, a poor sample or misexecuted vocal or tired formula comes in to sour it. An exception proving this rule is "Hologram" — a smooth, rewarding cut among otherwise rough sailing. Label this one: only for the diehard. —Kevin Sánchez