TuneLab
Culprit Takeover with DROOG & MANIK DJ sets in The Lab LA
The Culprit Takeover in The Lab LA, featuring DROOG & MANIK, is exactly the kind of deep, label-specific digging session we live for, a reminder that the best sets often come from a singular vision. The LA lab space, all concrete and focused lighting, becomes a temple for rolling, percussive house. This is a masterclass in tech-house and deep progressive, operating at a steady average BPM of 123.0 within a tight 122-146 range. The harmonic journey is compelling, heavily favoring the 12A key with forays into 5A and 7A, creating a subtly shifting, hypnotic soundscape.
The energy balance is expertly managed, with a powerful low-end foundation at 0.75 driving the groove, supported by a melodic mid-range at 0.20 and just enough high-end sparkle at 0.05 for definition. The mixing is smooth and intelligent, building a cohesive narrative across two DJs that feels like one continuous thought. The track selection is impeccable: Jericho Ismael's 'Vibe' (Nikola Dejic Remix) sets a deep, atmospheric tone, while John Summit's 'Make Me Feel' provides a modern tech-house bomb. Deeper cuts like Guy J's 'Worlds Apart' showcase melodic prowess, and Coyu's '1, 2, 3..
Fire!' (Bontan Remix) brings a funky, peak-time edge. The classic touch of Ben Westbeech's 'Hang Around' (Wahoo Remix) is a blissful surprise. From the opening ambient pulses of 'Vibe', through the driving peak of tracks like Christian Smith's 'Traction' remix, the set concludes with the sleek, minimal finish of FORSBY's 'Red Tape', a journey of meticulous tension and release.