TuneLab
Josh Baker
Boiler Room : London
Nothing says 'London tech-house afterhours' like the collective panic to ID a track that's just a bassline and a whispered vocal—Josh Baker at Boiler Room London understands this assignment perfectly. This set is for us, the degenerates who appreciate a well-executed, slightly sleazy groove delivered with a smirk. The vibe is dark, sweaty, and relentlessly forward-moving, a basement where the only light comes from the DJ booth and our phone screens. Technically, this is a tech-house powerhouse, locked into a 133 BPM average with a harmonic dominance in the driving 12A key for maximum dancefloor penetration.
The energy arc is a steady, linear build, with Baker using key modulations into 7A and 5A to add melodic color without sacrificing momentum. The mix profile—50% low, 35% mid, 15% high—ensures a fat, punchy low-end with enough mid-range hook and high-end sparkle to keep it crisp. His style is efficient and crowd-aware, blending tracks with a focus on the kick drum and that all-important bassline swing. Crate digging highlights start with the infectious opener 'D Stone - Talking About', a loop-based weapon.
'Javas - Frogs In the Box' is a quirky, percussive cut, while 'AVISION - Big Shot (Paco Osuna Remix)' is a peak-time bomb of relentless energy. The deep, moody 'NO:IR & Haze - Around' provides atmospheric depth, and 'Liberty City - If You Really Love Someone (Paul Harris Miami Re-Touch)' is a classic, piano-driven moment of hands-in-the-air release. The journey kicks off with 'Talking About', builds through the driving pressure of 'Big Shot', and lands on the muscular, closing thump of that same AVISION track, a full circle of tech-house devotion.