New releases this week: Deep Dubstep

Review: Albion Collective's new dance-focused sublabel, Gold, launches with a fierce three-track EP from debut artist Adel Force. Though new as Adel Force, the Estonian producer is no stranger to the scene, having spent 15 years crafting essential cuts as Bisweed. The 'Twirl' EP is a smart evolution in which he impresses by delivering experimental yet dancefloor-ready dubstep. The opening track, 'Is This What You Want,' perfectly captures Gold's mission to ignite crowds with bold rhythms and killer bass, and that only continues through the rest of the Ep, which comes with unique gold-embossed artwork to reflect Albion Collective's DIY ethos and commitment to originality.

Review: London dubstep producers Hijinx (Kyle Smith) and De-Tu (the trio of C-Side, Christopher Iona and Jevon Ives) team up in an enviably collaborative form, reserving five 12" grooves spread evenly and fairly over two originals each, not to mention these serving to top-cherry one more collaborative number, '3310', which leads the charge on this White Peach juicer. The mood on the record is dynamic and midrange scoopy as ever, with a no-more-no-less production approach squeezing just the right sense of scape from the mix, never saturating its sounds in wetness.

Review: Manchester's Joe McBride delivers a deeply atmospheric experience across his latest release, effortlessly fusing dub techno, ambient textures and broken rhythms with an unmistakable sense of space and restraint. Side-A opens with 'Kings Chamber', a hauntingly beautiful cut where static crackle meets dubbed-out echoes and shimmering pads. It's rich with melodic overtones that rise like mist over a subterranean rhythm, channeling both warmth and mystery in equal measure. 'Different Sound' follows with a deeper flow rooted in island bass traditions but filtered through McBride's ambient dubstep sensibility. The track's low-end sway, interspersed with ghostly echoes and spacious percussive flickers, gives it a grounded yet otherworldly feel, perfect for headphones or late-night sets. Flipping to Side-B, 'SK1 Dub' continues the journey, conjuring a cosmic, delay-laden soundscape that balances restraint with motion. It's a masterclass in space and sonics, where minimal elements swirl and stretch, maintaining a hypnotic pulse throughout. McBride shows that his touch is both technical and emotive, crafting meditative grooves that feel like they breathe.

Review: Mindful missives of the most intriguing order; Spanish collective CEE continue to curate their multi-genre Primary Forest series with the widest remit imaginable. From the pulsating, pensive 140 licks of Pugilist & Forest Drive West's brooding opener 'Polygon' to the more rampant, frazzled slaps of Cocktail Party Effect's dubby, steppy stomper 'Sandpaper Chatter', we're wrapped up tightly in unusual ideas and refreshing arrangements. Elsewhere Flore goes full tribalistic on 'Come Up' while Om Unit & Delay Grounds press the electroid button and hit all the right pleasure sensors. And that's not even the whole EP. It's time to get lost in a whole new forest. See you there?