Dance music enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to as one of the genre’s most dynamic talents, Spencer Brown, embarks on an exciting new chapter in his career. Backed by the legendary Global Underground, Brown is set to lead the heralded nubreed series, which makes its long-awaited return after a hiatus. The eagerly anticipated nubreed 13 is scheduled for release on October 16, perfectly timed to coincide with Global Underground’s landmark 30th anniversary.
This upcoming release is particularly unique as it features two distinct discs: one that leans towards a lighter sound and another that embraces a darker tone. Brown has curated tracks that span three decades of dance music, including his own productions. As someone who has followed Spencer’s work for nearly a decade, I can confidently say that his ability to narrate stories through music is second to none. His continuous mixes showcase this talent beautifully, and anticipation for nubreed 13 is at an all-time high.
The significance of Global Underground in the dance music landscape cannot be overstated. For over 30 years, the label has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound and culture of electronic music. This year, they have ramped up their activities, featuring sold-out tours and high-profile releases like the Deep Dish GU49: Dublin and the upcoming THIRTY compilation. Now, with the return of the nubreed series, they continue their commitment to showcasing rising talent, making Spencer Brown a fitting choice for this installment.
This isn’t Spencer’s first foray into the album format. Each of his previous LPs has been a collection of his original compositions, which makes the nubreed 13 project a refreshing departure. Here, he blends his music with the tracks that have inspired him, further enriching the storytelling aspect of his work. In a recent interview, Spencer shared his thoughts on the importance of cohesive narratives in albums. His meticulous approach to selecting tracks is evident; he believes that the album already exists in a way, and it’s about piecing together the right elements to let it shine.
Illusion of Perfection, Stream of Consciousness, Equanimity. Those all had a central theme that was getting pushed and pulled through, different vibes through each (…). So when I decide to start piecing [together an album], whenever that may be, I want the album as a whole to become obvious to me. How I do it is I just realize that track A and track B and track F and track G, for instance, they all have something similar, or that B sounds really good with G, and F sounds really good with H, and I’m like “Okay, well actually this one sounds amazing before those four tracks” and then it starts to piece together naturally, rather than forcing things together. That’s it to me, realizing the album has already been made, I just need to put the pieces together. That’s how they all came to be. I never sat down to make one, they just came together really.
-Spencer Brown, in our interview with him.
In conjunction with the release of nubreed 13, a world tour tied to the project is also on the horizon, aiming for late 2026 to early 2027. While details about specific dates and locations are still to be announced, the excitement surrounding this development continues to grow.
nubreed 13 is available for pre-order now ahead of its October 16 release. The build-up to this release is tangible, and the entire music community is on the edge of their seats, eager for what’s next.
