American hip hop/electro and dubstep act Bassnectar – led by Lorin Ashton – embarks on a third album. With a strong live following, Ashton is doubtless able to fire up a crowd with his brand of pumping beats and bass-heavy cyber riffs. On record, however, Cozza Frenzy is more eclectic.

The record starts off on fire with the bruising power of Boombox, awash with treated hip hop vocals and brash, edgy dubstep rhythms. Likewise the title track, with its tremulous bass projectiles delivering skyscraper melodies lines; the more obvious use of keyboard melodies are usually buried deeper within the mix.

Curiously, my favourite track on the album sees Bassnectar switch to a more subdued, downtempo sound, but this is courtesy of one of a handful of album collaborators. Mr Projectile’s Love Here, remixed by Bassnectar, provides an excellent offering of brooding synth lines amidst shadowy female vocals and stealthy, driving basslines and beats.

Fever Ray, featuring Karin Elisabeth Dreijer Andersson of electronic music duo The Knife, also ably assists the album on the track When I Grow Up – remixed a lot more subtly by Ashton this time.

Elsewhere, Cozza Frenzy does occasionally depart from its thunderous volley of electrifying bass and beats, I Am A Laser is more reflective and involving a listen, as is the twinkling Window Seat – complete with laughing child samples, but it’s not long before Ashton rips up the dancefloor again on the skittering, punishing bass warbles of Are You Ready.

Beautifully produced, Cozza Frenzy is a solid ‘Dubstep’ album, upon which Ashton is savvy enough to enlist numerous collaborators to expand his scope. Without them, the record might have been a bit one dimensional and generic, even if a tad above the competition.