TURNTABLE LAB

Bosco Delrey
Space Junky / My My Racecar (with FREE MP3 Download) 7"

folk, country, synth pop and hip hop all mixed up together

BONUS: Each copy of this 7" includes a coupon redeemable for a free, high-quality download of these tracks from Mad Decent's website.

Bosco Delrey's sophomore single for Mad Decent continues to toe the line between synth pop, hip hop, blues and folk. "Space Junky(1)" sounds like it should be a jangly country tune until the synths come in, and that's when it starts to sound kind of like a futuristic transmission from a country radio station in outer space. "My My Racecar(2)" pulls off a similar trick but this time with a stomping hip hop beat behind it, reminds me of Jamie Lidell a bit. Pressed on a big-hole 7", packaged in a pic sleeve. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / rock + new wave + 80/90s / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / and more

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Bosco Delrey
Wild One / Evil Lives (with FREE MP3 Download) 7"

indie pop with electronic elements

BONUS: Each copy of this 7" includes a coupon redeemable for a free, high-quality download of these tracks from Mad Decent's website.

Think Mad Decent is all about the electro and dubstep stuff? Think again dude! Brooklyn's Bosco Delrey makes his debut for Mad Decent on this two track indie rock single. "Wild One(1)" is an upbeat pop rock track with just a hint of country flavor. Delrey does take a more electronic turn on the b side, "Evil Lives(2)," singing over a beat that's somewhere in between southern rap and dubstep. Even then, though, his singer-songwriter talents are really what are being showcased. Kind of a new direction for our Philly brethren, but I'm digging it. Big-hole 7" pressing, packaged in a pic sleeve. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / rock + new wave + 80/90s / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / and more

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Boy 8-Bit
Still Killing (Philipe de Boyar, Memory Tapes) EP

electro house and house remixes

Remix EP for tracks from Boy 8-Bit's The Suspense Is Killing Me EP, originally released by Mad Decent back in 2008. The most eyebrow raising name on this one has to be that of synth-pop/chillwave artist Memory Tapes, who turns in a squelchy, break-filled take on "Cricket Scores(1)." That track also gets a makeover from Boy 8-bit himself, in which he turns his original production into a surprising house cut(2). He also contributes one new original to the EP, an electro track called "Ghost House (Suspense Is Killing Me Part II)(3)." Elsewhere, you also get electro remixes from Philipe De Boyar, who takes on "Suspense Is Killing Me(4)," and Obi Blanche who reworks "Bulbs Burn Out(5)."
reviewed by Hires

file under:
new electro + electro rock + rave / new electro / electro rock / rave

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Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross
Blow EP

textural electronica and rock

Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross is the work of 24 year old producer Dexter Tortoriello. He gained exposure early last year when his other (much more serene) project, Houses began getting wide spread attention. Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross is it's opposite. Influenced by everything from doom metal bands like Neurosis to avant noise artists such as Xiu Xiu, the songs pound with a calm, but dire urgency. The project began in Tortoriello's bedroom as an experiment in different recording techniques, and quickly escalated as vocals were added and ideas rounded out. The Blow EP is a mix of manipulated live instruments, dusty drum machines, and swells of broken synthesizers with Dexter's vocals as much a part of the sound as any of the instruments. The tracks were each treated and prepared to perfectly capture the texture and mood of the song. Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross is meant to bring about a melancholy familiarity, like going back to the house where you grew up and finding it the way you left it, only 10 years later and everything is falling apart. Recommended.
reviewed by Mad Decent

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / rock + new wave + 80/90s / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / and more

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Diplo
Chasing The Dragon CD

rare psych mix

WHOA! In an unexpected turn, Diplo takes it back to the days of digging for rare sounds with the Chasing The Dragon mix. No tropical bass, dubstep, dancehall, or beats here - just straight up rare psych rock for days! No real tracklist either (just segment titles that give some hints for the diggers) as Diplo goes deep with all manner of fuzzed-out, freaky psychedelic sounds that are much different from what you're used to him playing these days - and it sounds AWESOME. A little over an hour of music, Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster


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Diplo vs. Tiesto
C'mon (Toadally Krossed Out Remix) 12"

electro house heater from Diplo and Tiesto

Big (room/stadium) tune!!! Diplo links up with Tiesto aka the trance god for an electro house banger(1) that's guaranteed to take your peak hour fist pumping set to the next level. The power chords are so damn catchy, and with immense build-ups, hard hitting drums, and a dirty, driving bassline rounding out the song, you can bet your left nut on everyone going ape shit when you drop this one. Toadally Krossed Out remix(2) also included, and gnarly laser etching of Diplo & Tiesto on the flip! Recommended.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
house / minimal / techno - reviewer recommended / house / deep house / remixes / house / minimal / techno

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Drop The Lime
Devil's Eyes Remixes (Diplo, Tomb Crew, Kanji Kinetic, Rossi B & Luca) 12"

dubstep and electro house remixes

Four of the biggest remixes from Drop The Lime's "Devil's Eyes" digital single get pressed up on wax for all the collectors and Serato hold-outs out there.. The original version of this track was released by Bacardi (yeah, the rum people), and over the course of a year these remixes slowly started trickling out of the internet. Diplo's remix gets top billing here, and it's more of the wild, global sounds that we've come to expect from him. Huge drums on that one. Tomb Crew and Kanji Kinetic both contribute some heavy, bull-in-a-chinashop dubstep remixes(2,3), and then Rossi B & Luca (a different Luca, not DTL using his government name) bat cleanup with a rambunctious electro house version. Four tracks in all, comes packaged in a nice pic sleeve that kind of looks the poster for a campy horror flick.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / new electro + electro rock + rave / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass / new electro / electro rock / rave

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Jaimie Fanatic
Whats Happening To Ya (Say Wut Remix) 12"

What you know about Jaimie Fanatic? The Dutch house bad boy is the latest addition to the Mad Decent fam, and though this is his debut release on the label, he is by no means a newbie to the game (just check his discogs entry). Take a listen to the hybrid dance styles of "What's Happening(1)" and it's obvious dude has had plenty of experience rocking the massive crowds. A killer combination of house, electro, fidget, and even some bmore elements make this one huge with the likes of Diplo, Switch, Laidback Luke and Armand Van Helden. Speaking of bmore though, Unruly representer Say Wut turns in a hard hitting bmore remix(1) of the track that's sure to tear the roof off. Also check "Someone To Count On(2)," which takes up the entire b-side on the more minimal vocal house tip. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
baltimore - vinyl / new electro + electro rock + rave / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass / new electro / electro rock / rave

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J-Wow
O Dedo (Bird Peterson, Sbtrkt) 12"

huge electro house sounds, dubstep remix

Sorry Jersey Shore fans, this isn't that J-Wow. Rather, he's one of the producers behind the already-successful Buraka Som Sistema. "O Dedo(1)" (Portuguese for "the finger")is a big electro tune that features some of that global sound that Buraka's known for, as well as some crazy sounding synth riffs towards the end. "The Rattle(2)" is a more subdued track, built on bullfrog bass and some great bongo loops. Austinite Bird Peterson takes on "O Dedo(3)," putting his own spin on the electro sound, and then SBTRKT flips the track into a dubstep cut(4) with some nice melodic arpeggios that ride on top of the bass.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
new electro + electro rock + rave / new electro / electro rock / rave / sale vinyl + cds

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La Roux
Quicksand / In For The Kill (Skream, Mad Decent) 12"

exceptional 80s style electro-pop

La Roux is another act first introduced to us by tastemakers Kitsune. With the quickness, the duo has been picked up by a major. It was a no-brainer though, this girl has a serious 80s new wave chops and the perfect electro-pop backing to match. Check their debut single "Quicksand(1)" along with a new Mad Decent remix(2). B-side opens with a real treat, Skream's remix(3) of "In For The Kill." I'm entranced... they should do a whole album together. In one of those strange 12" moves, you also get the original instrumental (but not the original).
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
rock + new wave + 80/90s / new rock / dubstep + grime - vinyl / kitsune + related / and more

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L-Vis 1990
United Groove / Come Together 12"

techno, electro and bass sounds

So L-Vis 1990 is the latest recruit to Mad Decent, and his debut 12" is some kinda funky-tribal-techno thing that no one can really put their finger on. All I know is it sounds big. On "United Groove," the kid from Brighton features a spoken word section about ravers from every city coming together, before a big buildup blows the lid off the whole thing. The eerie, chanting choirs in the back are what make this one. Also featured is "Come Together," a massive bass-thumper with a vocal sample that stutters repeats the title and some massive synth stabs. This is "hands in the air" shit. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass

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Mad Decent
Blow Your Head Shirt

features bold graphics

Love the Mountain Dew-inspired colorway on this bold graphic tee. "Blow Your Head," other than being a uber popular compilation series, is what Mad Decent and its sound is all about, and this 100% t-shirt captures that point well.
reviewed by NI

file under:
all shirts / mad decent / clothing sale

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Mad Decent
Exploding Kids Shirt - Bulls

logo tee w/ vintage look

Exploding Mad Decent logo on a soft, 100% cotton t-shirt. The vintage look going on is a huge plus, and so is the Chicago Bulls-inspired colorway.
reviewed by NI

file under:
all shirts / mad decent / clothing sale

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Mad Decent
Exploding Kids Shirt - Sonics

logo tee w/ vintage look

Exploding Mad Decent logo on a soft, 100% cotton t-shirt. The vintage look going on is a huge plus, and so is the Seattle Super Sonics-inspired colorway.
reviewed by NI

file under:
all shirts / mad decent / clothing sale

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Mad Decent
Garbage Pail Kid Shirt

graphic inspired by The Garbage Gang

Mad Decent never ceases to "blow your head" with its united-under-heavy-bass club sound, and the graphic on this 100% cotton shirt - featuring a Garbage Pail Kid character - nails what the label is all about.
reviewed by NI

file under:
all shirts / mad decent / clothing sale

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Mad Decent
Major Lazer - Pon De Floor Shirt

This one celebrates "Pon De Floor," one of the standout tracks from Major Lazer's recent debut LP Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do, and features dancing mummies, cause why not? We'd expect nothing less from the Mad Decent camp at this point. Printed on standard fit, cotton shirts.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
all shirts / mad decent / clothing sale

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Major Lazer
Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do (with FREE MP3 Download) 2LP

dancehall full-length from Diplo & Switch

BONUS: Included with with this LP is a coupon for a free high-quality MP3 download of the full album.

Diplo and Switch's new dancehall project has been getting lots of hype over the last few months, and it turns out that this time the hype was right: this shit has more jams than Knotts Berry Farms. The CD opens with the surf-rock single "Hold The Line(1)," which features Santigold and Mr. Lex, and doesn't really let up after that. In addition to top notch production, the album also features a ton of dancehall stars and a few state-side up and comers who should be pretty familiar to the discerning lab customer at this point. Turbulence shows up for "Anything Goes(2)," Mr. Vegas makes an appearance on "Can't Stop Now(3)," while Mr. Evil (aka Leftside) and Swedish rapper Mapei both jump on an updated version of "Mary Jane(4)." Brooklyn's own auto-crooner Ricky Blaze and the perennially slept-on Nina Sky lend their vocals to the Power 106 Anthem "Keep It Goin' Louder(5)," (this one's got "crossover" written all over it) and Vybz Kartel squeezes a few lines into the pandemonium-inducing "Pon Di Floor(6)." Solid tracks from beginning to end, this album is gonna be a force to be reckoned this summer. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / house / minimal / techno - reviewer recommended / current dancehall + hip-hop remixes + acapellas / fidget house: switch + sinden + herve + jesse rose + dubsided / and more

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Major Lazer
Lazers Never Die (M.I.A., Busy Signal, Buraka Som Sistema, Thom Yorke) 12"

more dancehall fusion goodness from Major Lazer

After sountracking countless summer cookouts, Lazers Never Die finally gets the vinyl treatment. The EP consists of two new tracks and three remixes of cuts from Guns Don't Kill People, and it's a solid dancehall offering supercharged with characteristic Major Lazer energy. "Sound of Siren(1)" almost sounds like a pitched down version of "Pon De Floor," with massive kick drums and the marching percussion beat fusing wonderfully with Busy Signal's tireless delivery and M.I.A.'s killer hook. For "Good Enough(2)," Diplo and Switch reach out to Collie Budz and Lindi Ortega for a rocksteady-style track littered with memorable melodies and vocals. On the remix tip, Kicks Like A Mule(3) delivers a knockout breakbeat/dub version of "Can't Stop Now," and Buraka Som Sistema(4) lends its Kuduro touches to "Bruk Out" for a charging, dancefloor-ready number. Thom Yorke also contributes a bouncy, synth-driven remix of "Jump Up(5)," and he manages to bring together his subdued style with hype, chant-like reggae vocals courtesy of Leftside and Supahype. Recommended.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / current dancehall + hip-hop remixes + acapellas / reggae + dancehall / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass / and more

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Mark Ronson
Bike Song (Major Lazer, Lil Silva) 12"

soul pop w/ dancehall and UK funky remix

The Gucci-man himself hits with the second single off of Record Collection. "The Bike Song(1)" is a seriously funky soul bomb featuring Kyle Falconer from The View and a verse from Spank Rock, up there with Ronson's work with Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse. Some cool remixes from Major Lazer(2) who turn in a banging dancehall version and UK Funky anthem generator Lil Silva(3). Instrumental included as well.
reviewed by The Voice

file under:
rock + new wave + 80/90s / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / downtempo + electronic - all

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M.I.A.
Arular 2LP

This sentiment pops up often enough in my reviews that it's bordering on self-parody, but seriously, do y'all REALLY need me to sell this record? Really? I mean, its not like anyone has ever, you know, written an article on girl before, or talked about her on the internet or anything. You should already own, like, seven of these. So far, Arular is the bang-alang-ingest record of the year - if you like your dance music even the slightest bit "different," this shit is the shit. "Galang(1), Sunshowers(2), Fire Fire(3)," and "Bucky Done Gun(4)" have hit 12" already, but it's nice to have them all on a handy 2LP for the crates, along with slow-burner "Amazon(5)," the tweaked electro dancehall of "Pull Up The People(6)," and more. All 12 tracks are blaze to blaze, with something to drop in almost any DJ setting - if you've been bumping a promo (or an illicitly downloaded version of the LP) for the last few months, it's not even too much of a bummer that the b-more sampling "URAQT" got left off (psssst it's supposed to make the Japan pressing, rare-spotters).
reviewed by Nick Catchdubs

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / dubstep + grime - vinyl / downtempo + electronic - all / and more

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M.I.A.
Bucky Done Gone (Fred Everything Remix) 12"

Perhaps surpassing his "Missy Thing" booty from a few years ago, Om Records' Fred Everything takes on M.I.A.'s "Bucky Done Gun" and turns out three hot house remixes. The main remix features M.I.A.s vocals over some tough house beats before the track really drops and turns into one full of swirly keys and acid. Also includes an instrumental as well as another, tougher remix with the vocals in tact.
reviewed by Alison Tara

file under:
house / deep house / remixes / house / minimal / techno

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M.I.A.
Paper Planes Remixes (DFA, Diplo, Scottie B) 12"

This one gets the... hooooly chit! Look at that tracklist - it's like they custom built this 12" for the Lab. I'm gonna go out on a (short) limb and say this is the best M.I.A. single to date. In addition to the already banging original version(1), we get Blaqstarr's remix(2) with Rye Rye, Diplo's remix(3) with Bun B and Rich Boy, Scottie B.'s ultra weird Bmore club styles(4) and the DFA(5) getting down like usual. Even Adrock from Beastie Boys(6) couldn't help but get in on it with a reggae-tinged mix of his own. There's a mix here for everyone (8 in total!) so drop it at your next gig and *boom boom boom boom* take the money. Also includes instrumental and acapella. Recommended.
reviewed by Larri Byrd

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / baltimore - vinyl / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / dubstep + grime - vinyl / and more

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M.I.A.
/\/\ /\ Y /\ (180g) 2LP

highly anticipated 3rd album, all-star production

Here it is, M.I.A.'s highly anticipated 3rd album /\/\/\Y/\ on double 180g vinyl and 4 bonus tracks! As with her previous albums Arular and Kala, /\/\/\Y/\ aims to push boundaries, push buttons and blend genres (this time exploring territories like rock and dubstep). This is possibly her most controversial (and biggest?) album to date, backed by all-star production from a team of Lab favorites including Diplo, Rusko, Switch, Blaqtarr, and M.I.A. herself! You've probably heard the mixed reviews, but here's the sound samples so you can decide for yourself: the single "XXXO(1)," "Steppin Up(2)," "Teqkilla(3)," "Lovalot(4)," "Born Free(5)," "Tell Me Why(6)," Space(7)," "Internet(8),"Illygirl(9),""Believer(10)," "Caps Lock(11)." 16 tracks total, recommended.

reviewed by Von Bee

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / dubstep + grime - vinyl / downtempo + electronic - all / and more

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Po Po
Bummer Summer / Teen Dreamz 7"

indie rock and dark wave beats

Mad Decent's resident indie rockers, The Po Po bros. give us the perfect summer melter with "Bummer Summer(1)." And even if it isn't summer anymore, the track makes it feel like 97 degrees and you're rollin' to the beach to drink and do nothing with your friends. The other side of this nifty digi-single, "Teen Dreamz(2)," changes up the mood completely and takes it to dark and slow wave beats topped with haunted singing for those heavy nights and/or 'shroom trips.
reviewed by suicide bangs

file under:
rock + new wave + 80/90s / new rock

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Toy Selectah
Mex Machine 12"

latin underground/tropical bass

Mex Machine is "legendary cumbia maestro" Toy Selectah's debut EP on Mad Decent. The lead single, "Half Colombian Half Mexican Bandit(1)" is a banging cumbia track driven by deep bass and traditional rhythms, with quirky bleeps and samples adding interesting dimensions. "Sonidero Company(2)" is another choice cumbia cut, but with "Ani Riddim(3)," Toy Selectah picks up the energy with galloping drums, distorted pan flute melodies, and a bouncy bassline. "La Ravertona(4)" is even more uptempo - double-time programming, ready to destroy tropical bass dancefloors. Recommended.
reviewed by nakinboots

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass

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V/A
The Brick Bandits (DJ Sega, Tameil, Rob3) EP

baltimore club via philly

Longtime Holler associate Dirty South Joe's Ol' Head Records co-presents this loaded EP with Diplo's Mad Decent label as Jersey's Brick Bandits unleash six extra-strength no-frills Baltimore club tracks. A-side features DJ Sega's "Colours(1)" with the robot voice repeating "I love the different colours, all the different colours...," plus DJ B-Stee's straightforward club rework of Daft Punk's "Robot Rock(2)" and Tim Dolla's "Number Advisory(3)," a party break with hype vocals just counting it off ("one! two! three! four! one! two! three! four!"). Flip it for DJ Tameil's "Shotgun Buck(4)" (shotgun blasts and Nintendo sounds!), DJ Rob3's wailing "The Chase(5)," layered with police sirens and 90s house key stabs, and Mike V's mellow "Feelings(6)." Easy call here. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
baltimore - vinyl / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass

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