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.