seven

I have never really got into dub for various reasons. the side of dub that I experienced always carried a lot of funk, hip-hop influences, something I cannot really tolerate. I was curious to see how hed nod (a sub/side-label of hushush) together with usa’s empty light, would interpret the definition of dark hop. this compilation is a collaboration of fifteen artists from europe and united states. they create the music that focuses on dark minimal soundscapes and downtempo beats - basically the definition of dark hop as described by hed nod.

a few tracks into the compilation, and I was saying to myself, “if this is dark hop, I like it.” I truly enjoyed combination of dark minimalism and heaviness. the tracks feature prominent downtempo beats and dark atmospheric textures. this combination becomes the ultimate selling point for me, since it borders between uneasy dark ambient, filled with noises, occasional voice samples, tweaked strings, and downtempo percussion structures. at the same time, there are plenty of elements that take these works out of the restraints of rhythmic dark ambient and move it closer to the dub genre – funkier noises, unexpected sounds, even acoustic and more cinematic elements, unusual broken percussion structures. all that is kept within the overall rigid rhythmic boundaries outlined by bass-saturated minimal percussion structures.

pretty much every track has something interesting to offer; my favorites included larvae with “red line” that stands out for its very energetic and violent beginning that later on moves to more atmospheric and elegant part. olivier moreau presented very fine dark ambient textures with minimal percussion; not breathing combined almost idm-sounding frequencies and bleeps with minimal strings and non-linear broken percussion; silk saw contributed one of the darkest tracks on the compilation with constant vibrating bass and distant frequencies; “201” by su8m3rg3d sounded vaguely familiar with a beautiful combination of atmospheric sweeps, deep strings and constant percussion. “deep inn” by alien radio station created a surprisingly dense atmospheric out of vocal samples, rattling, screeching noises, elongated strings and saturated heavy percussion. scorn, appropriately opening this disk, created familiar heavy sonic assault, soon followed by “pressure drop” by the dustmite – probably the catchiest track on this combination combining dark textures with minimal pleasant keys, groovy basslines, and vocal samples.

I was very impressed with the overall quality of this compilation where all the tracks bring something new and unique, and yet managed to stay within the same genre. hed nod came up with a very refined and focused outlook on the genre, further proving its status (as well as hushush) as a label that brings together quality and expertise in so many genres, picking the ones that offer a very unique, and very focused music. despite the initial definition of the genre as a very minimal, stripped-down style, this compilation displays an impressive diversity and versatility of musicians, bringing together so many genres and yet managing to stay within the boundaries of the genre.