Number Eight: VA - 5 Years of Hyperdub

Despite what you think, this is NOT one of those Magic Eye images.

Label comps can tend to be difficult to think about when you're trying to take a single album for what it is.  They're inherently flawed by the number of artists they represent and how frequent that pendulum can swing from great to no care ever.  I remember in high school being stoked when I'd see a new Victory Records compilation come out.  I'd read the track list and think "rad, EC, Strife, and Integrity on the same CD!" only to completely miss over the Cast Iron Hike, Baby Gopal, and Hi Fi and the Roadburners' of the world filling out the rest of the album.


Of course the whole point of a label comp is exactly the point I'm bemoaning.  They're not supposed to showcase a single sound (unless that's what the label does).  The whole point is to give a diverse look in a label's roster in a convenient, easy to digest jewel case.  

The sound of raining in the dark.

With that in mind 5 Years of Hyperdub more or less falls in line with my expectations.  I jock, and have bought plenty of stuff on Hyperdub but the fact still remains.  They press such a diverse sound when it comes to bass music that there will always be an equal amount of stuff that I love and that I can do without.


The opening track Meltdown sounds exactly like Seattle, raining at 2 AM.  A bit dreary, completely solitary but still comforting.  Mala's tune Level Nine was an unexpected yet welcome addition.  Though really when isn't Mala welcome?  I want to say that I found it odd that he was included here since he's never released on Hyperdub but I guess Flying Lotus and Martyn haven't either so that throws that out the window.

For much of this album I found myself thinking that the album was good but not always my cup of tea and I shouldn't have been unexpected.  This is just one of those labels that gets the credit they deserve, but finds me on the outside looking in most of the time.