TuneLab
AMÉMÉ
Mixmag Lab Amsterdam
We collectively pretend we're too cool for the undeniable power of a soaring vocal hook, but AMÉMÉ's Mixmag Lab set calls our bluff, delivering a potent cocktail of afro-house rhythms and melodic grandeur that makes resisting the urge to sing along a futile exercise. The Amsterdam lab provides a clean, focused backdrop for a set that's all about forward momentum and emotional release. Technically, this is a tightly wound afro-house and melodic house journey pinned at a relentless 125 BPM, with AMÉMÉ expertly toggling between the driving energy of 3B and the more open, euphoric feel of 12A. The energy balance is more dynamic than typical deep afro-house, with a higher mid and high average (0.3819 and 0.1981 respectively), meaning synth leads and vocal samples cut through the robust low-end with purpose.
The mixing is sharp and energetic, creating a continuous flow that feels both meticulously planned and joyfully spontaneous. The tracklist is a treasure trove of modern afro-house weapons. The opener, &lez's 'The Rhythm Of Dancing', is an eight-minute percussive monster that immediately establishes a deep, tribal groove. His own track, 'TORERO', is a rolling, horn-inflected bomb designed for peak-time hands-in-the-air moments.
The inclusion of the &ME and Black Coffee collaboration 'The Rapture Pt.III' is a no-brainer, its melancholic piano line a genre staple. For a delightful curveball, the Joeski remix of 'Y Que Tengo' adds a techy, driving edge, while a cut from legend Kanda Bongo Man reminds us of the genre's roots. The journey is a masterful build: from the hypnotic, percussion-led opening of &lez, through the soaring, emotive peaks of his own productions and the Afro Nation edit, to a final, smooth landing with Cameron Jack's 'The Vision'.