TuneLab
Sub Focus
Mixmag Lab London
Sub Focus in the Mixmag Lab London, and the man opens with his own 'Rock It' Wilkinson remix—because if you're going to soundtrack a drum & bass frenzy, you might as well start with a certified missile. We are in the realm of the 175 BPM average, where necks are at permanent risk and the only rest is a brief moment before the next double-drop. The vibe is that of a main stage at 2 AM: lasers, lung capacity pushed to its limit, and the collective, giddy exhaustion that only D&B can induce. Technically, this is a precision-engineered drum & bass set, with a BPM hovering around 176 and key movements primarily between 3B and 12A for that classic blend of dark and uplifting energies.
The energy profile—low at 0.37, mid at 0.44, high at 0.18—shows a brilliant balance: weighty subs, clear, punching mids for the amen breaks and synth lines, and enough high-end sparkle to keep it all exhilarating. Mixing is fast and fluid, a whirlwind of double-drops, rewinds, and seamless transitions that showcase decades of genre mastery. The harmonic journey is carefully plotted, using key changes to swing between euphoria and menace. The crate is stacked with originals and anthems: 'Culture Shock - The Time Is Now' is a timeless roller, '1991 - Get a Good Feeling' is a modern jump-up weapon, and 'Sub Focus & Wilkinson - Illuminate' is pure, hands-in-the-air melodic D&B.
'Sub Focus, Culture Shock & Fragma - Miracle (VIP Mix)' is a festival-smashing overhaul, and 'Sub Focus - Solar System' reminds us of his sci-fi sound design roots. The journey rockets from the opening salvo, peaks with the relentless drive of tracks like 'Make It Pump', and touches down with the anthemic, Dimension-remixed finale of 'It's That Time'. A full tracklist masterclass.