LOCAL ACTION future bass & grime sets in The Lab LDN

When a set is billed as 'future bass & grime,' you brace for a chaotic genre collision that could either be inspired or a mess. LOCAL ACTION's Lab LDN session confidently lands in the former category, a deftly curated tour through bass-heavy electronics that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The vibe is that of a late-night basement session where genre rules are suggestions and the only mandate is weighty sub-frequencies. Technically, it's a dynamic ride. With an average BPM of 135.2, the pace is upbeat but varied, often finding its tonal centre in the versatile key of 12A.

The energy distribution is tellingly balanced for bass music: lows at 52% provide the essential foundation, while mids at 44% carry the melodic content, gritty textures, and rapid-fire vocal flows. Highs are minimal (4%), ensuring a smooth, rounded sound that prioritizes pressure over piercing clarity. The mixing is eclectic, matching the tracklist's diversity, with blends that focus on rhythmic compatibility and dramatic contrasts. For sonic adventurers, the picks are impeccable. Zion Train's 'Great Barrier Reef' is a timeless, dub-infused opener that sets a deep, atmospheric mood.

The drop of Jack Ü, Skrillex & Diplo's 'Where Are Ü Now (feat. Justin Bieber)' is a calculated, euphoric curveball that works brilliantly. Kowton's 'Glock & Roll' is a minimalist grime tool, all tension and sparse percussion. Cloud 69's 'Sixty Nine Ways' injects a dose of playful, squelchy acid, and Nana K & Ben Champell's 'Rapid Zone (Albird Remix)' offers a moment of trance-tinged release. The journey is a shapeshifting one: beginning with the dubwise depths of 'Great Barrier Reef,' hitting a populist peak with the Jack Ü track, and concluding with the quirky, off-kilter house of 'Tripmastaz - Mr Ohh.' It's a set that rewards open ears and refuses to sit still.