This Brit beatmaker's productions ("Cockney Thug") and DJ'ing (Fabric Live 37,with Caspa) helped define early subwoofer-punishing dubstep well before Skrillex made it rage like new metal. But on Songs, rather than go full-on aggro (or even collaborate again with various Dirty Projectors, as on 2010's O.M.G.), dubstep is outweighed by effervescent house, pop, R&B, dancehall, even twostep garage – a style that preceded dubstep – with vocals ready to pop like champagne bubbles. Even when the lowend gets a workout, as on "Asda Car Park" and "Opium," the tone is party-friendly rather than glowering – good news for pop fans, less so for Korn devotees.

Listen To Rusko's "Opium": 

Related
• Photos: Random Notes

“More Than a Feeling”

Boston mastermind Tom Scholz was as surprised by anyone when he sent his unsolicited demo to record labels and got back a positive response. Scholz said, “I couldn’t believe it. Nobody knew who we were, so I wouldn’t even say we were struggling. It was groveling.” Part of the credit for the interest must go to the anthemic rock number "More Than a Feeling." Inspired by the Left Banke's 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee," Scholz worked on the song for five years in his basement studio before it was released on this album.