TuneLab
KASSIAN set in The Lab LDN
We’ve all been there: huddled in a booth at The Lab LDN, praying the Wi-Fi holds for one more Shazam as KASSIAN drops another weapon. This set is a masterclass in why we bother—a seamless blend of tech house that feels both current and deeply rooted in club history. The room is all low ceilings and laser-cut shadows, a perfect Petri dish for the infectious grooves to multiply, with every head-nod syncing in unison. Technically, KASSIAN operates in a sweet spot around 128.8 BPM, with a tight range from 128 to 133, anchoring the journey in the welcoming warmth of the 12A key.
The energy arc is a slow, deliberate burn, with low-end frequencies (averaging 64% of the mix) providing a subcutaneous thrum that keeps us locked in. Mid-range elements dance at 22%, allowing melodic hooks to breathe, while the restrained high-end (12%) ensures nothing feels abrasive. Harmonic progression is subtle, with forays into 5A and 7A adding color without disrupting the flow, crafting a narrative that’s more about groove than drama. For the crate diggers, the highlights are plentiful: the ominous, rolling bass of Festiva’s 'Cerberus' sets a darkly playful tone, while Antele Prox.’s 'Stilte' offers a moment of hypnotic, percussion-led respite.
Santiago Salazar’s 'Sucio Beat' injects a raw, Latin-tinged energy, and KREAM & Millean.’s 'What You've Done To Me' provides a smooth, vocal-led counterpoint. The drop of CamelPhat & Elderbrook’s 'Cola' is, of course, the communal singalong we secretly crave, and the inclusion of The Shapeshifters’ 'Lola’s Theme' is a cheeky, timeless nod to house music’s soulful core. The journey is clear: from the subterranean pulse of 'Cerberus' into the peak-time euphoria of 'Cola', with 'Lola’s Theme' serving as a joyous mid-set highlight, before winding down with the enduring, piano-driven joy of Carl Cox’s 'I Want You (Forever)' in its Josh Butler remix guise—a full tracklist that reminds us why tech house, when done with this much craft, never gets old.