Dexter's Beat Laboratory Vol. 128

by: Robyn Dexter Feb 7, 2020

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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. 

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Since its release four months ago, many producers have put their own spin on NGHTMRE and Grabbitz‘s “Bruises.” But no one has put a blistering drum ‘n’ bass spin on it until now. Enter AWOLTALK, who flips the song into pure fast-paced mayhem. His iteration is a searing, in-your-face one, guaranteed to delight fans of the drum ‘n’ persuasion.

It’s been nearly 16 years since the release of Britney Spears‘ beloved “Toxic,” but musicians like Alexander Lewis and Y2K are still finding ways to make their own mark on the tune. Though less than two minutes long, Lewis and Y2K pack a powerful, trap-fueled nostalgic punch to this classic Britney tune.

Even farther back on the music timeline, Dido released “Thank You.” The melancholy 1998 song is easily recognizable for any ’90s kid—and Felix Jaehn is one of them. He’s revived this iconic tune and flipped it into a bass-heavy house heater, giving Dido’s vocals a lift into the dance music sphere.

Fast forward to 2014, when Disclosure‘s “Latch” was pretty much the only thing that mattered. Remixed into oblivion, many tired of the song quickly. StayLoose and FatherDude gave “Latch” a few years’ breathing room before covering it, and the result is brilliant. FatherDude’s vocals are a gorgeous complement to the original tune, and StayLoose’s production freshens up the original’s instrumentals. It’s so much fun.

Au5 appears ready to take the new decade by storm, self-releasing the dramatic and powerful “Seraphim” at the end of January. Within the first few seconds of the new single, it’s apparent that the dynamic producer has plenty of tricks up his sleeve in the new year. “Seraphim” instantly explodes with energy the producer maintains throughout the song, weaving delicate elements throughout his compelling dubstep sound. He truly thrills with each new release.