TuneLab
Laurence Guy
Mixmag Lab London
Laurence Guy's Mixmag Lab London set is for those of us who believe deep house should be, well, deeply emotional—a bittersweet, introspective journey where a melancholy chord can hit harder than any kick drum. This is beautifully crafted, melody-rich deep house that speaks to the heart as much as the feet, perfect for the moment the sun starts to peek through the blinds. The vibe is one of reflective euphoria, a packed room moving in a slow, swaying mass, lost in the narrative of each beautifully textured track.
On a technical level, Guy operates in a tight 125-130 BPM range, averaging 129.2, and weaves a hauntingly consistent thread through the moody, introspective key of 3B. His mixing is patient and layered, allowing tracks to breathe and their emotional cores to fully develop, with a near-perfect balance between warm, cushioning low-end and intricate, melodic mid-range activity. The high end is used sparingly, reserved for the crispest hats and the most poignant synth lines, ensuring every element has its space.
The track selection is a curator's dream: his own 'All The Way Up' is a lush, atmospheric opener, while 'Most Perfect People (Are Mostly Not Perfect)' showcases his talent for poignant, sample-based storytelling. Mfs Observatory's 'Y1' is a minimal, hypnotic deep cut, and DJ Rain's 'Club Kids' dub offers nine minutes of raw, swinging Chicago-inspired groove. The set begins with the drifting pads of 'All The Way Up', builds to a raw, percussive peak with the driving energy of 'Club Kids', and ends on a note of wistful, sample-laden beauty with his own 'Hey Baby'.