TuneLab
OK WILLIAMS soulful techno set in the Lab LDN [Lockdown Special]
OK WILLIAMS' 'soulful techno' set from The Lab LDN lockdown special? We're immediately transported to those lonely, cathartic living room dance sessions, where a driving beat felt like a lifeline and we all became amateur Shazam detectives. The vibe is intense and introspective, with stark lighting mimicking a warehouse rave, but for an audience of one (or a few million online). This is driving, soulful techno, averaging 132 BPM and firmly rooted in the energetic, major key of 12A, which injects a sense of optimism into the relentless mechanical pulse.
The energy is low-end heavy, with a pounding kick drum and bassline foundation, while the mid-range carries melodic hooks and atmospheric pads, and the highs add subtle percussion textures. Williams' mixing is precise and powerful, building tension through layered loops and gradual crescendos rather than abrupt changes. The track selection is both classic and contemporary: opening with Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz's 'Apollo' sets a cosmic, driving tone, while closing with Gesaffelstein's 'Control Movement' offers a minimalist, industrial-tinged finale.
In between, Essaie Pas' 'Futur Parlé' adds a French coldwave edge, and Bellini's 'Samba de Janeiro' remix brings a surprising, funky bounce. Patrick Topping's 'Be Sharp Say Nowt' is a peak-time weapon, and Antoine Clamaran's 'Do the Funk' dub is a cheeky disco-tech throwback. From the powerful opening, through the deep, rolling peak of Lightboy's 'Livia', to the iconic closing track, this live set is a full tracklist of techno with heart.