Digital Underground (Digital Underground)

Album review

Previously known for making dubstep, techno, and even new wave pop for a brief spell, Scuba paid tribute to early-'90s rave in 2023. He released two limited, vinyl-only Hardcore Heaven EPs, then featured alternate versions of the material on Digital Underground, a continuously segued mixtape. There are a few modern touches here and there, like the amapiano drum fill that pops up during "Mr Anderson," but for the most part, this is largely true to classic breakbeat hardcore. Euphoric piano melodies, hoovers, stabs, funky breaks, and the occasional diva or sped-up rap sample make up these tracks, most of which would've been at home on XL circa 1992. The set reaches an ecstatic peak with "Room with a View," which feels like it's letting loose by using 4/4 kick drums and a sample exclaiming "Music's so wonderful!" The entire release is a remarkably well-crafted effort that inevitably has a nostalgic flair to it, but more than anything feels like the producer said "Why the hell not?" and just decided to have fun.

© Paul Simpson /TiVo