TuneLab
MAT ZO filter house set in The Lab LA
Nothing says 'I am a serious music nerd' like getting genuinely excited about a well-executed filter sweep, and Mat Zo's filter house set in The Lab LA is a love letter to that specific, slightly pretentious joy. The vibe is all low-lit cool, a studio session where every phased hi-hat and resonant bassline feels like a secret handshake for those who remember the early 2000s. Technically, Zo crafts a hypnotic, groove-laden journey at 125.4 BPM, with a surprising emphasis on the moodier, minor-toned 3B key that gives even the funkiest moments a touch of depth; the energy balance is heavily skewed toward low-end warmth and mid-range texture, with peaks reserved for rhythmic climaxes rather than melodic drops, showcasing a mixing style that's both surgical and soulful.
For the diggers, the gems are plentiful: Format:B's 'Chunky' is a timeless, bass-driven weapon, Ezel's 'You Got Worked' remix is a stripped-back, percussive delight, Arnaud Rebotini's '777' remix injects a shot of acidic disco, and Rhythm&Soul's '1998' is a deep, jazzy house cut that feels both vintage and fresh. We also have to nod to Maiga's 'Danai' for its atmospheric pressure and Claptone & Mylo's 'Drop the Pressure' for its filter-heavy, crowd-igniting payoff. The journey opens with the teasing, minimalist funk of Sable Sheep's 'Lobotomize', builds to a peak with the euphoric release of 'Drop the Pressure', and closes on the quirky, robotic charm of Cassius's 'La Mouche' remix, leaving us all wondering if we should invest in a better EQ plugin.