Scuba - 'Triangulation' (2010)

1. Descent

2. Latch

3. Three Sided Shape

4. Minerals

5. On Deck

6. Before

7. Tracers

8. You Got Me

9. So You Think You're Special

10. Heavy Machinery

11. Glance

12. Lights Out

Paul Rose has been steadily moving to the forefront of dubstep over the course of the past decade. Since founding Hotflush recordings in 2003, Rose’s label has seen the rise of several electronic stars such as Untold, Vex’d, and local underground hero Boxcutter. The killer trio of Hotflush however has got to be Scuba, (Rose) Mount Kimbie and crossover dubstep poster boy, Joy Orbison. If you are ever in the unsettling position of being stuck in a conversation with a dubstep fanatic, they’ll probably be quick to point out that the M.O. of Hotflush artists is usually to lean towards the ambient, atmospheric end of dubstep. It makes Triangulation a relaxing listen; If the term dubstep sends you running for the door, think Burial, not some wobbly crap that the chavs are listening to (I can almost feel the red dot of a purist’s sniper rifle on my head). The reason I reference Burial (apart from the fact that he’s very, very good) is that there are a lot of people doing this sort of stuff badly. With dubstep a genre that only has about 50 albums but literally thousands of single releases, it takes a while to sift through for quality. Paul Rose’s second full length release as Scuba however, is more than up to scratch.

If you’re jumping into Triangulation without any previous experience of the genre, Burial is your best reference point. On the other hand, dubstep aficionados will already know that Scuba is like a more dancefloor friendly 2562 or Shackleton, albeit an extremely wapped out dancefloor. Stark, atmospheric electronics are the order of the day, opening track 'Descent' lures the listener in before the bleak two-step of 'Latch' takes over, and as with the entire album you better hope your speakers are up to the job of this bass. 'Three Sided Shape' is the Hotflush sound encapsulated into one song, merging slow burning synths and garage drums to create that late night, 3am sound that Mr. Will Bevan does so well.

Rose can go heavy as well. 'On Deck' is almost a house number, a steady menacing synth and wicked drums coming together with great effect, whilst 'Tracers' is a brilliantly realised dubby/techno piece.

Special mention has to go to, 'So You Think You’re Special'. A great tune in earnest, it’s like club music for the walk home afterwards; not quite a comedown, not quite a tune to get you up to the dancefloor in the first place. Its heartfelt loop will echo in your ears for days to follow, 'Here you’ll find the one/ Here in the sun'.

If you take the time to listen to Triangulation, I recommend you listen to it as a whole. Another word of advice is this: This is sparse, electronic music. If your everyday listening is Bloc Party, Foals, The National, etc...then Triangulation might not immediately be your new favourite album. Take it for what it is; a subtly complex electronic album that is best enjoyed late at night. When the speech is starting to slur and it’s time to think about going home- that’s when to stick on Triangulation.