Bassnectar

It's characteristic for Bassnectar to throw down classic Nirvana or NIN within a high-energy DJ set of bombastic bass beats. It's no surprise, then, to hear elements of punk and metal on Va Va Voom via a subtle, bass-y reworking of Pennywise's "Bro Hymn" ("Pennywise Tribute") and samples from Bassnectar's high school death metal band ("Chronological Outtakes"). Lorin Bassnectar manipulates borders through music, be they genre-specific, political or otherwise. Mainstream meets fringe on Va Va Voom's title track, featuring the contrast of Lupe Fiasco's deepened vocals rhyming over brighter pitched beats. "Ugly" (featuring Amp Live of Zion I) bakes fresh and flavoured with bass-y adrenaline to rock summer sound-systems ("Hey we rollin' through your town looking ugly."). Later selections include 2012 versions of "Laughter Crescendo" and "Butterfly," building gently and introspectively. Va Va Voom brings an amalgamation of hip-hop/EDM/rock and classic chill sounds to soothe and activate your mind at different points on the record.