The most heavyweight drum & bass album of 2010 has finally arrived and it’s been well worth the wait!
‘Kryptonite’ is an electronic tour-de-force, a masterpiece of sound design and imagination from one of
the scene’s most pioneering figureheads, DJ Fresh. In the making for over three years, Fresh has created
a juggernaut of an LP that flickers with ease between his trademark caustic breakneck beats, feel-good
vocal tracks and even some slamming dubstep manoeuvres. Essentially ‘Kryptonite’ is a rocket-fuelled
ride that dance music fans the world over will be revelling in for a very long time to come. Essential.
1. Talkbox
Opening up proceedings is a track that’s been an anthem
on the D&B circuit for quite some time. The epic intro,
huge undulating bassline and of course the all-important
talkbox vox never fail.
2. Lassitude ft. Koko (DJ Fresh & Sigma)
An awesome slice of future-electro drum and bass with a
firing vocal from Koko (dance moniker of Yolanda, the
Massive Attack vocalist) that has dance floors smiling from
ear to ear. Add the mammoth synth hook and you have
this surefire crowd pleaser.
3. Kryptonite
The title track sees Fresh heading to the left of centre for a
more experimental edge that gives ‘Kryptonite’ a very cool
vibe indeed. Taking a nod towards the electro sounds of
yesteryear this shows another side to Fresh altogether.
4. Golddust ft. Ce’cile
Previously released back in 2008 this dynamite track has
now been given a new lease of life thanks to a full super-
fresh vocal from Ce’cile (vocalist to Sean Paul, Timberlake,
Jay Sean and more). Sure to be another club banger
throughout the summer to come. (Single to be released on
Ministry Of Sound/Data)
5. Acid Rain
Get ready for the nastiness as we’re brought slap back
down into D&B darkness. Seen by some as possibly a
harking back to the old Bad Company days, ‘Acid Rain’ is
not to be messed with. Watch for the mentasm switch up
at the end too!
6. Hypercaine
The massive Radio 1 playlisted single of last year rears its
head to keep the faithful happy. Stamina MC and Koko’s
vocals ride victoriously over Fresh’s enormous production
showing why this stayed at no.1 in MTV’s video dance
chart for quite so long.
7. Starfall ft. Val Beestings
Taking things a little bit deeper is ‘Starfall’. Opening with
mysterious reaching vocals, they pave the way into a
minimal drop of buzzing bass, shuffling breaks, gorgeous
pads and subtle keys.
7. Chacruna
Switching things again Fresh takes us deep into the
Peruvian jungle for the melancholic but ultimately uplifting
dubstep excursion, ‘Chacruna’. It’s all about the haunting
sample in this one as the deep sub and melodic keys take
us far, far away.
9. Fight ft. Val Beestings
Always one for controversy DJ Fresh then ramps things up
with the outrageous sounds of the dubstep smacker ‘Fight’.
That screeching, messed up riff has had dance floors
reeling for months and no doubt will continue to do so for
many more months to come.
10. Heavyweight
Time to get grimey one last time with the unmistakable
sounds of one of the biggest D&B dance floor tracks of
last year. Rounding off the album perfectly, it shows the
utmost versatility of a producer at the top of his game. (Included in DJ Mag’s Top 50 chart of 2009)
“An album full of styles with a fresh twist...once again
demonstrating why he’s one of the most talented and diverse
producers in electronic music.” Andy C
“Fresh’s album will be held to the bosom of all who love drum
& bass, and go someway to filling the void left by Pendulum
turning into a rock band.” Eddy Temple-Morris
“A massive tune (‘Hypercaine’), Fresh has done it again” Zane
Lowe
“Massive global dancefloor destroyer. From America to Australia
to Japan, ‘Fight’ kills it!” Hatcha
“Your tunes are going off!” Skream