Corporate

MalLabel Music teams up with GrassRoots California to release the next album, as well as a GRC hat, by the ever-changing, always producing, Ben Samples. His new album, ‘Appetite for Construction,’ showcases his hunger for creating provocative music. His fascination with making music: the fundamentals of a song, how it flows together, are evident through each track. Every song is pure him: from the driving bass to the ubiquitous lasers and the robot sex, you know you have a signature Samples treat. This time, though, his style takes a walk on the house side, with bits of electro and dubstep mixed in. He keeps it funky and dark while making fun, danceable tracks. His album opens with ‘Limitless,’ which is the perfect intro song, giving a taste of what’s to come. The cyborg voice, glitchy sound and kick beat add to the futuristic, electro feel. ‘Corporate’ is all business, bringing in the bass with a vengeance. The fast paced, uplifting track demands you get to the dancefloor and move passionately. ‘‘Dances with Guns’ definitely makes you feel as if you’re dancing with a piece of cold steel in your hands, that is until you want to clap along to the beat. Samples’ skillful layering and expert production combine the lasers, womps and wobbles in a danceable manner. ‘Down to Business’ gets down to brass tacks, bringing in the bass aggressively while taking on a glitched out vibe. Samples lays down the law for this track, as it seems that each one prior has been leading up to this one. Even with all the hardness, this track still makes you get up and move, fusing dance and bass in a futuristic, approachable way. ‘Get Cray’ makes you want to do just that: the deeper, darker tune has even heavier bass, with a buildup that leads into the most mind blowing drop and heart thumping beat. A sample succeeds in making you a little crazy on the dancefloor. ‘Missle Silo’ is very reminiscent of a videogame, if that videogame had incredible bass. The song continues to build, adding more lasers and futuristic feel, so much so that it’s almost as if you’re on some covert operation, one that could end quickly. Contrary to it’s definition, ‘Pixelate’ clearly establishes itself, combining elements of dance and house into an already laser filled track, to make your body move. ‘The Storm’ navigates you through a dubstepped version of tetris. The beat increases in tempo, leaving you wondering where’ the next piece you’re supposed to play. Samples cuts down on the glitched out parts, taking away the familiar feel of the game and bringing back the big bass guns. ‘Corporate VIP’ takes up where the original song left off, but adds more glitchy glamour and dirty drops. The driving basslines and hard feel, along with the various computerized sounds and robotic voices fit well into the gritty realm that is dubstep, yet he keeps the track light and fun so you can still dance to it. Samples’ carefully constructed and well-crafted tunes are sure to satisfy anyone’s musical desire, so come hungry and ready to listen to the future of dance and bass. His success lies in creating the perfect marriage between hard, driving bass and electro, house and dubstep. He keeps his signature style while dabbling in the fun, lighthearted arena that can be dance influenced tracks. Samples’ desire to create, his lust for putting musical elements together shine through on this album and define him to a tee. His keen ear and quality production make him one to watch, and so wait to see what Ben Samples has in store for the future.