Before giving “Songs” a listen, I was mostly unfamiliar with Rusko’s music (besides hearing “Someone To Love” on satellite radio). I listen to EDM music, though I’m far from an expert on it. Rusko is an icon of the British dubstep scene, and I liked “Someone To Love”, so I decided to check him out further.

Although Rusko is a dubstep artist like Skrillex, the music on this album sounds very different from Skrillex.  There are few heavy bass drops during this album, and it has more of a relaxed vibe. It also has a fair amount of vocals. That will disappoint some Skrillex fans, and please those who are anti-Skrillex.  That is evident from the reviews on iTunes. I like Skrillex (he was the one that introduced me to dubstep), however I liked this album.

“Songs” is mish-mash of dubstep, house, reggae, garage, drum-n-bass, and R&B music.  It is one of the most diverse albums I’ve ever heard.  Most of the songs are mid-tempo.  It has a retro vibe - the album sounds like it was recorded in 2001, not 2011.  It’s as if dubstep just came out and was still underground, and garage was the big thing in Britain. 

My favorite tracks on the album are “Someone To Love”, “Skanker”, “Pressure”, “Opium”, “Thunder”, “Asda Car Park”, “Whistle Crew”. “Someone To Love” combines 90s house with dubstep. “Skanker” combines dubstep and dancehall reggae.   “Thunder” is pure house music. “Asda Car Park” is the heaviest song on the album, and actually not a far cry from Skrillex’s brand of dubstep. “Pressure” and “Whistle Crew” sounds like early-2000’s garage. Many of the other tracks on the album are reggae songs.

I’ll have to check out Rusko’s other stuff.  Check this out if you are open minded and have broad tastes – including Skrillex fans.

(4 out of 5 stars)