Blow Your Head: Diplo Presents Dubstep cover

Blow Your Head: Diplo Presents Dubstep

Diplo · 2010

68 min · 16 tracks · electronic music

A pulsating collection of bass-heavy remixes that captures the raw energy and innovation of the dubstep movement.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Re-Up Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Hold the Line (Skream remix) — This remix transforms M.I.A.’s dancehall classic into a frenetic dubstep anthem, encapsulating the genre's melding of global sounds with heavy bass drops.
  • →
    Youth Blood (12th Planet & Flinch remix) — The track exemplifies the aggressive yet melodic style that defines much of early dubstep, featuring dynamic rhythms and powerful bass lines that resonate with listeners.
  • →
    Sweet Shop — This track stands out with its playful samples and infectious energy, showcasing how dubstep can blend accessibility with underground roots effectively.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album effectively showcases the diversity within dubstep while maintaining a cohesive sound throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

  • Tracks often build tension through gradual layering of sounds, with drops that emphasize heavy bass and syncopated beats.
  • Several tracks incorporate vocal samples, but they are used sparingly and primarily serve as rhythmic elements rather than focal points.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic flow with energetic peaks
  • for late-night parties
  • heavy basslines that command attention
  • wave-like pacing for immersive listening
  • explosive tracks to energize crowds

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer soft, mellow sounds
  • seek immediate catchy singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Helped define dubstep for mainstream audiences, increasing recognition of the genre.
Themes
bass-heavy remixes· dancehall fusion· dubstep innovation
Career context
When 'Blow Your Head: Diplo Presents Dubstep' was released in 2010, Diplo was already an established figure in electronic music, known for his genre-blending productions. This album came shortly after his breakthrough with 'Favela on Blast' and marked a significant moment as he delved into the burgeoning dubstep scene, showcasing its diversity through various artists' remixes.
Stylistic neighbors
Major Lazer· DJ Snake· Flosstradamus

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Down

    The chorus shifts dramatically, pulling back to emphasize a singular emotional plea amid layers of production.

    This choice highlights vulnerability within the energetic soundscape, contrasting personal depth against the backdrop of heavy beats.

Tracklist

  • 1 Re-Up Start here 4:23
  • 2 Hold the Line (Skream remix) 3:19
  • 3 Down 5:39
  • 4 U Don't Like Me (Datsik remix) 4:40
  • 5 Strange Fruit 3:43
  • 6 Glazed 5:02
  • 7 Burn (Stenchman remix) 3:35
  • 8 Sweet Shop 3:13
  • 9 Cockney Thug (Caspa remix) 4:12
  • 10 Stop What You're Doing (James Blake remix) 3:46
  • 11 Sunset 4:11
  • 12 Sparing the Horses 4:25
  • 13 26 Basslines 5:01
  • 14 Youth Blood (12th Planet & Flinch remix) 4:20
  • 15 Resealable Friendship (Starkey remix) 4:34
  • 16 Hold On (Subfocus remix) 4:27

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata