Cover image for Face (Des McMahon Remix)

Drum & bass · Release review

Face (Des McMahon Remix)

Des McMahon & Zombie Cats

Des McMahon reimagines Zombie Cats’ Face for Dispatch Recordings, delivering a textured, cinematic remix that blends deep atmosphere with refined sound design.

Dispatch Recordings Released 21 November 2025

Zombie Cats unveil the third instalment of their Tech Dreams | The Remixes project on Dispatch Recordings with an inspired reinterpretation from Des McMahon. Known for his cinematic, progressive take on drum and bass, the Philadelphia-born producer brings a distinctive depth and sophistication to Face (Des McMahon Remix), set for release on 21 November 2025 via Beatport and 5 December across all platforms.

The original Face from Tech Dreams was one of the album’s most introspective moments. McMahon leans into that atmosphere, expanding it into a rich soundscape that moves fluidly between light and shadow. The remix opens with distant pads and soft melodic swells before unveiling intricate percussion and an evolving bassline that pulses beneath the surface. The sound design is crisp yet organic, with every detail placed for emotional and spatial effect.

Des McMahon’s catalogue across Play Me Records, Viper Recordings and Beyond Bass reflects a producer deeply engaged with musical storytelling. That same ethos defines this remix. It feels deliberate, structured and carefully paced, allowing tension to build naturally rather than through predictable drops. The result is a track that works as both a late-night journey and a DJ tool for the more atmospheric corners of the set.

While much of Tech Dreams | The Remixes explores the project’s tougher edges, McMahon’s contribution serves as its reflective centrepiece. The rhythmic layering and subtle melodic motifs hint at his background in sound design and progressive structures. Instead of chasing intensity, he crafts momentum through evolution, delivering a remix that feels alive and constantly shifting without losing its pulse.

Zombie Cats’ decision to include this version underscores the range of their vision for the remix LP. Face (Des McMahon Remix) offers contrast and continuity in equal measure, bridging the gap between the LP’s heaviest moments and its emotional core. It is another statement in a series that continues to redefine how remix projects can serve both the dancefloor and the imagination.

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