You can now stop worrying about compiling the perfect mix for this Spring Break, because New York producer Ynfynyt Scroll just did that for all of us. Ynfynyt Scroll Spring Mixtape ’15, the second of his free mixtape series released on his own Track Meet imprint, is a collection of edits, remixes, and mashups he created with the sole purpose of making bodies sweat on the dance floor.
But what’s that dance floor like? He conceptualized the mixtape as a soundtrack for steamy Ibiza clubs, but truth is it feels more suited for underground spots. Although almost every track is based on current (and not so current) hit songs, the production here leans more toward the direction taken by like-minded global bass enthusiasts, like Nguzunguzu and Kingdom. One good example is “En La Disco,” his collaboration with Chilean producer Paul Marmota. Built around vocals from Plan B’s “Apreta en la Disco,” the track is actually quite foggy, filled with reverb and slow-attack synth leads, and it definitely sounds like Marmota’s hands were in it.
Reggaeton classics rain on this mixtape, especially on the first few songs. “6 A.M.” is a revamp of J Balvin and Farruko’s massive hit of the same name, where its original flavor is kept but with added synths that add an extra dimension that’s not external to the genre. On “Hace Calor,” Ynfynyt Scroll basically pulls out Tito El Bambino and Jadiel’s “Sol, Playa y Arena” out of dembow and into tropical bass territories, referencing sino-grime in the process.
But not everything here is reggaeton related, of course. The fourth track is an African house makeover of The Weeknd’s “Often,” and he brings the dancehall vibes on “Pull Up To Mi Bumper,” originally by Konshens and J Capri, keeping things varied and stimulating. “Donde Estas Ahora” starts with a bouncy kuduro beat that gets slowly covered by dreamy synth pads, only to drop into…yes, Jack Ü’s Justin Bieber-featuring “Where Are Ü Now.” This was an unexpected one, I must admit, but also one of the standouts.
Among the instrumental numbers, there’s a collaborative track with LA producer C.Z. where they take a shot at zouk bass with remarkable results. He also throws in two mash-ups at the end of the mixtape, including a pairing up of Charlie XCX’s “Boom Clap” and a bachata/reggaeton/mambo instrumental by MC Clean that’s just bizarre. This just proves that Ynfynyt Scroll is full of surprises, so, with this mixtape you’re unlikely to get bored anytime soon.