Divergent Spectrum

While a large swath of dubstep producers have focused on growling, aggressive soundsmithing, Bassnectar has consistently set himself apart by delivering potent dancefloor material that borrows from his metal and rave influences. Remixing the likes of Gogol Bordello and Ellie Golding on Divergent Spectrum, Bassnectar showcases his ability to produce a killer hook without relying on one; his dynamic compositions progress enthusiastically from one idea to the next, nodding to his unrelentingly energetic live shows. When the onslaught lets up (which it rarely does), Bassnectar keeps pace with progressive sections of crafted melody that point to a rounded musicianship. Though Divergent Spectrum doesn't necessarily play with the narrative arc of a front-to-back artist album, it delivers what one would expect from a don of dubstep: trunk-rattling hits that cement his place as a seminal act in the dance-music world.