Album Review: 013 Wax Treatment Podcast by Fiedel
If you’re into genre-blending beats that feel like a late-night drive through Berlin’s underground scene, then 013 Wax Treatment Podcast by Fiedel is worth your time. Released in 2010 under the Wax Treatment label, this mixtape dives deep into reggae and electronic vibes with dashes of dubstep, dancehall, techno, and even some ghetto flavor. It’s raw, unpolished, and kinda messy—but in all the right ways.
Fiedel, known for his knack behind the decks, delivers a DJ mix that feels more like a journey than just another playlist. The tracklist includes gems like “Jungle Fears,” “Shake It,” and “5th Of Remy (Dirty),” but two tracks really stuck with me: “Thug Futura” and “Airmiles.”
“Thug Futura” hits hard from the get-go. Its gritty bassline grabs hold of you while chopped-up vocal samples bounce around like they can’t decide where to land. There’s something hypnotic about how it switches between slamming kicks and eerie atmospheres—it’s not perfect, but that’s what makes it memorable. You don’t listen to this track; it kinda owns you for those few minutes.
Then there’s “Airmiles,” which flips the script entirely. This one leans way heavier on the reggae side, with lush synths and a groove so smooth you’ll wanna light up a spliff (even if you don’t smoke). What got me was its subtlety—no over-the-top drops or flashy tricks, just pure vibe. For a moment, you forget you’re listening to a German producer because it feels straight outta Kingston.
What’s wild about this album is how it refuses to sit still. One minute you're nodding along to dancehall rhythms, and the next, you’re caught in a techno storm. Tracks like “Dem A Bomb We” and “Claptrap” throw curveballs at you, keeping things fresh but also slightly disorienting. It’s not always cohesive, but hey, who said chaos couldn’t be fun?
Looking back, 013 Wax Treatment Podcast feels less like an album and more like a snapshot of Fiedel’s brain during a particularly inspired session. Sure, it might not appeal to everyone—some parts are rough around the edges, and a couple transitions could’ve been tighter—but isn’t that what DIY music’s all about?
Here’s the kicker: listening to this in 2023 feels almost nostalgic. Like finding an old mixtape in your car and realizing how much cooler it sounds now. Maybe that’s why I keep coming back to it—it reminds me that sometimes, imperfection is exactly what makes art stick.
