At a time when dance music is disappearing up it's own posterior, the Canadian producer who hates to be referred to as a DJ released his fifth studio album proving that you don't have hip hop stars doing vocals to produce quality music in the genre. One year on, 4x4=12 is still as powerful and attention grabbing as it was when I first heard it.

There are two versions, one mixed the other unmixed, so budding DJ's will automatically be drawn to the unmixed version. Lasting a whopping 69 minutes and 49 seconds, the eleven track CD has so far produced four singles. Some Chords, Animal Rights, Raise Your Weapon and Sofi Needs a Ladder, the last one featuring the vocals of Sofia Toufa who also guests on One Trick Pony. Perhaps that is one of the strengths of this and previos CD's in that guest vocalists are used because of their range and ability rather than their name.

Fans of Joel Zimmerman aka Deadmau5 will know what to expect, a high tempo bass heavy electronic mix that would provide the perfect soundtrack to any party in the world. The energy that goes into the production clearly transfers into the listeners ears and you just can't help but dance. It is aggressive and high tempo and critics will argue that it is not music, more noise. Commercially, much of the criticism that has come its way seems to reflect that it lacks the ability to crossover into mainstream pop like Moby or David Guetta. It is that criticism that perfectly encapsulates the CD and it's creator. This type of music doesn't belong on Top of the Pops or on your Grannies radio. It is music for clubs and people who live for the scene. It's not going to be on an advert anytime and it won't be number one.

Deadmau5 appears to have become the herald for the new fashion in music which is dubstep, but I don't believe he fits into that genre, placed in it by reviewers more out of convenience than anything else. You can pick up a copy for less than £5 and if you are into the genre I really do urge to buy it, it will continually reward over the years to come.