5 Must Have Dubstep Albums

Off of the grime streets of London, here are 5 albums you must add to your dubstep collection. Even if you're only just starting out, these 5 albums will give you a solid foundation for exploring the world of dubstep.

1. Skream - Skream!

Oliver Jones, also known as Skream, is one of the most prolific music producers in dubstep. He's one of the main artists involved in spreading the genre's popularity to crowds beyond just those native to London. In 2006, he released Skream! one of the most important dubstep releases to date. The album maintains very strong roots in the drum'n'bass movement of the 90s, while gently introducing listeners to catchy 2step beats and manipulated strings sounds and awesome sampled vocals. One song in particular, "Midnight Request Line," quickly became a dubstep anthem, and served as a means of giving an identity to dubstep through exemplifying those traits most consistent with the genre.

2. Mimosa - Silver Lining

In this album, dubstep artist Mimosa maintained some of the drum patterns consistent with the genre, while breaking away from heavy down-tempo bass-lines, to create a more dreamy sound through using incredibly seductive synth lines. This album conveys the more vibrant side of dubstep, and shows and American attempt to make the genre into something more than just a moody album about London - and Mimosa succeeds without question.

3. Benga - Diary of an Afro Warrior

Another dubstep producer from London, Benga, has made a huge contribution to the genres progression through the release of his second album, Diary of an Afro Warrior. One of Benga's notable characteristics is his ability to work outside of the rigid framework which has been set in place by previous producers who made their drum loops using computer software that made set everything in perfect time. Instead, Benga prefers to keep his drum sounds dynamic and enticing. He employs a diverse array of different sounds throughout the album from lasers, to incredible delay effects on drums. One notable song,  "Night," contains very catchy drum rhythms and synth sounds that will keep you dancing for hours.

4. Burial - Burial

In 2006, an album appeared by Burial, entitled Burial. It skyrocketed into the charts, and reached critical acclaim very soon after its release. Although not many people know anything about the artist, the fact that he is shrouded in mystery does nothing but add to the general emotive effects of the album. It is dark, moody, full of sub-bass, and conjures images of London at night . Burial makes use of 2step rhythms, synonymous with late underground drum'n'bass, and he uses these beats to his greatest advantage to convey feels of loneliness and introspective thought. Some notable songs include "Broken Home," "Forgive," and "Southern Comfort."

5. Rusko - O.M.G.!

Rusko's album, O.M.G.! introduced dubstep to the world of pop. Every single tune on the album utilizes incredibly heavy wobble bass, (predominant in the song "Woo Boost,") and drum loops which are very much consistent with the genre. However, his beats are incredibly energetic, and sound more like tunes you'd hear at a rave or at a club, as opposed to in grimy London. Rusko was a fresh taste of what's to come in dubstep, and a promise that the genre has no desire to stagnate and become boring. Instead, Rusko's album is proof that dubstep will continue to diversify its sound bank beyond just mere 2step anthems, and reverberating wobble bass.

The Sound of London

The fast developing music genre, dubstep, will dominate American and British music scenes in the coming years. Beginning in the grimy streets of London, dubstep artists gave form to the sound of the British city using a massive oscillating wobble bass, tight echoing drums, and decayed vocal samples. As with any music genre, the artist’s compositions vary greatly, adding to the ever-expanding library of dubstep sounds. An artist such as Rusko goes completely overboard in his sound-scapes, using loud explosions, breaking glass, and fire sirens to overwhelm the listener. While at the other end of the dubstep spectrum, Burial employs dissentient low-key sub-bass in conjunction with haunting vocals and drums in unusual time signatures to create a ghostly feel throughout his music.

Being born and raised in England, and then moving to the United States, I have taken on a different view to dubstep than most Americans. In discussing dubstep with friends, many said that it’s a form of dance music, which is a stance I can completely agree on. However, growing up in the city where the music originated gave me a very different attitude towards dubstep. I believe the music is more about conveying the feel of London to listeners everywhere. 

When Americans think about England, they think top hats, monocles, charming accents and the Royal Family - and these things still exist, I promise! What I believe dubstep artists attempt to communicate through their music though, is the breakdown of these old ideals, and their reformation into a country that runs on cockney slang and the filth of London streets (in the most aesthetically pleasing way of course.) All these artists really want to do, is show just how cheeky London really is. On the flip side, London  harbors a beautiful darker side, which coexists with the grimy London I described just above. Dubstep artist Burial portrays this London through his music more perfectly than I ever could. In essence, dubstep is London's voice, and its screaming at the top of its voice, "Hey, I'm an asshole, but I'm a beautiful one at that."