‘Plastic Kingdom’ by Nola Wren (New York, New York)
I feel like I’m gonna get called into the bosses office for this one but you know what? I like it, so too bad. ‘Plastic Kingdom’ is poppy and dancey and there is no shame in that. Sometimes we need a little something light, something you don’t have to think about. You just listen to it and it makes you crack a wee smile. This is that little something. Go ahead and grin, it’s ok. @LeahLovecat
Posted in A: Lovecat, T: Single
Tagged Dance, DIY Recording, electronic, nola wren, plastic kingdom, pop
Ruphmiup by Bowmont (Brooklyn, NY)
We’ve all been to that local show, maybe it was 285 Kent or maybe somewhere outside NY, where not one of five bands is worth the minimal door charge of five or ten dollars. You think, who is behind this? Who had a say in putting together such a miserable bill? And where the F*&% is Bowmont? Well, that’s at least my thought process after discovering this band; retro-REM meets Radiohead and Talking Heads, programmed drums and groove for nights. Being engulfed in the surplus of hack bands and performers that is half of NYC makes one forget that this sort of quality does in fact exist, it just takes a bit of digging. ‘Ruphmiup‘ is the stellar opening song off their new Euphorian Age EP, a creeping dance track with glittery synth and Phil Collins style vocals that will stick with you like fly paper. @thinknotsleep
DO I HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY TIME? ALL CAPS? EVERY WEEK? OK- WE’RE ON? WE’RE ON. HERE WE ARE, TUESDAY AND IT’S TIME TO GIVE YOU THAT ONE HUMAN, THAT SINGULAR SPECK ON THIS PLANET WHO’S DONE MORE FOR YOU THAN YOU KNOW. THIS WEEK LET US HOP TO PARIS- DREAM PARIS FOR US NEW YORKERS BORN AND RAISED [YOU EVER SEE THAT MOVIE WHERE THOSE POOR KIDS FIND THE GUN AND OWN IT BECAUSE COPS IN FRANCE ARE PUSSIES?]. ANYWAY, HERE: ANDREA- THE FIRST GUY I’M CALLING WHEN I NEED A COUCH TO CRASH ON IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD. THE PRODUCER WHO’S PUSHED ASIDE WHAT THE PARISIAN UNDERGROUND’S BEEN DICTATING IN FAVOR FOR AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH ELECTRONIC EMULATION. THE PRODUCER WHO’S MANAGED TO CREATE A LINE UP OF ORIGINAL GEMS, PEPPERED WITH SOME OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS REMIXES IMAGINABLE (COME ON, WHO TOUCHES AALIYAH- AND LIKE THAT?).
SLOW GRIND PROPHET: WHAT AFFECT DOES BUNDLING A BUNCH OF SINGLES INTO AN ALBUM HAVE ON TODAYS RELEASE CULTURE? IF ANY, IT’S A NEGATIVE ONE. ANDREA (MOONCHILD) KNEW THAT FROM THE START. BAITING THE HOOK, SINGLE BY SINGLE, RELEASED VIA SOUNDCLOUD, THE YOUNG PRODUCER HAS BECOME A PROPHET OF THE SLOW GRIND-MEANING NOTHING MAKES YOU MOVE LIKE THIS, NOT UNLESS YOU’RE TRAPPED IN A CAR THAT’S SINKING FAST. URGENCY IN SLOW MOTION: IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING TO WATCH FROM THE SHORE.
Despite the fact that the dude lives with my Parisian dream woman, somewhat of his muse, and flaunts dashing good looks toppled with social charm (I assume)- I’ll sack up and tell you to envy the man behind the music, but not for those superficial qualities. Andrea isn’t a producer like you know. He’s not the kid who goes to school for composition without knowing how to slap a guitar or caress a piano. He’s essentially in-tune with a universal organization that comes to him from above, as if spoken by the higher power of an alcoholic in recovery. Moonchild is a musician; one who’s mastered theory fundamentals and taken them into electronic arena to demand that those in the EDM scene consider the more delicate parts of life- like flowers….
Now, now- it’s not like that. This shit will wake you up, but only if you know which single to set your alarm to. Touch on his radical dub moments and you’ll be sliding across the floor; a personal promise from me to you. Land yourself onto the timeline when the kid was feeling blue and soon you’ll find yourself contemplating your darkest mistakes. Beginning on ‘Another’ one of his original tracks that stands out to, not only me, but a litter of Soundcloud users who leave comments repetitively saying “chill” or “smooth”- I’ll take the time to point out that although he’s appropriated lyrics and other elements, the track’s hardly a remix. It’s organic and lives completely separate from any individual piece. So as far as I’m concerned, and you too, this is original work.
“It’s not my fault I fucked everybody here- it takes a bit more.” It’s unlikely that the first song you’re going to click to will be the single he put out for Ssence (his 1975 remix of ‘You’), but if it is, lucky you. You’ve just landed on a pinnacle moment that captures the human instead of the machine. It’s in this aura that separates Andrea from the sea of electronic producers who know how to twist a knob- it’s an aura that could, if it wanted to, bring a tear to your eye. Well now I sound like a pussy.
If there was ever a moment he bundled the singles it was due to personal request. I, you, we- NEEDED this on our ipods. You know what it feels like to wake up hating the day ahead of you. So snag ‘em, each and every one.
Grab onto one of his downtempo hip-hop tracks and you’re in another ballpark all together. What is depressed rap? Rappers get depressed? I guess that’s how you feel after a night of destroying your nose and fucking anything with a hole. So now, I’ll leave you, my dearest friends, with his latest: ‘Places’ which, in Soundcloud title, hints and the possibility of an EP/LP. Good day, sirs. @Dingusonmusic
Posted in A: Dingus, C: Free Music, T: Remix, WC: DIYMVP
Tagged Andrea, another, Dance, edm, electronic, France, Julia Losfelt, moonchild, Paris, Singles
Born New by Tórild (New York/Stockholm)
With electronic music more popular than ever, its’ reach stretching far across genre lines, it is only natural that modern musicians would tip their hats to and follow along the more illbient, psychedelic path that artists like DJ Shadow and Massive Attack paved so purely. Tórild is a new group working out of New York City with Stockholm transplant, Halina Larsson, fronting the band; her angelic demeanor and even sweeter melodies help embed listeners deep into the world they have created. Instrumentally advanced in a scene of hack producers and Abelton slobs and certainly worthy of the $3k plus they received from excited fans via Kickstarter. Their anticipated debut album, BORN NEW, which is now at least somewhat fan-funded (we know this stuff costs way more than $3k), is expected to release in Spring 2013, but for now we can stream two singles they have generously shared with the public. @thinknotsleep
Tagged A: Dingus, Ambient, beats, born new, chill, chillwave, Dance, dj shadow, electronic, electronic music, illbient, indie, indie music, indie pop, Kickstarter, Massive Attack, New York, pop, producer, sigur ros, Stockholm, Torild
Dresser Drawer by sami.the.great (Brooklyn, NY)
Who would ever break this girls heart? I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this while listening to this track ‘Dresser Drawer’ off the 2012 self-titled sami.the.great album. Though this song isn’t the freshest thing on the Hype Machine charts, an important release in the DIY community should be appreciated like a fine wine. Sami Akbari, raised between both Iran and the US, seems to be as comfortably mixed in musical style as she is culture. Light-hearted, brightest crayon in the box kind of pop mixed with alt-folk song styling, listeners (like me) stumbling on her music now will be anxious to catch up with her still blossoming career and hope for an expedited sophomore full-length. For now, catch her on tour throughout the US and more frequently in NYC, but not before grabbing this free single! [Free Download] @thinknotsleep
Posted in A: Egan, C: Free Music, T: Single
Tagged Alternative, Brooklyn, Dance, DIY, dresser drawer, free music, Hype Machine, indie, indie music, indie pop, iran, New Music, New York City, pop, pop music, samithegreat, singer songwriter
Can’t Believe You Said That by Gemini Club (Chicago, Il)
Chicago indie-electronica group Gemini Club have in a few short years gone from being firmly embraced by the blogosphere to selling out rooms in numerous US cities. Still a heavy touring band in development without a full-length album to their name, singles like ‘Can’t Believe You Said That’ and others have been received hugely on the internet and even remixed by artists like Hey Champ & more. I was happy to have caught a show recently in a packed out Mercury Lounge where the layers of synths and reverbed guitar blared, filling the room with a density comparable to the 80+ bodies in it. Aside from the fact that Gemini Club brings a hot girl dance party everywhere they go, it’s also a really well produced live show that you should check out when they hit your city. @thinknotsleep
Tagged Chicago, Dance, Electronica, Gemini Club, indie, indie music, New Music, pop
On A Streak by Basement Batman (Brooklyn, NY)
Fuzz bass in your face. Intertwined synth and guitar lines. A handclap for every snare hit. I mean it in the best way; this sounds like a super group comprised of Justin Timberlake with members of Phoenix and Passion Pit. Basement Batman, a dirty pop, indie-funk band from the depths of Bushwick, has been covering all of their bases. Easily the type of band that could take over frat parties in every college market in the country, all the while dominating the DIY Brooklyn scene, possibilities are quite infinite for a band this fun. They’ve recently released short EPs in a series of ‘episodes’ that you can stream and download at their bandcamp but to start, check out and grab a free download of ‘On A Streak’. [Free Download] @thinknotsleep
Posted in A: Egan, C: Free Music, T: Single
Tagged Basement Batman, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Dance, free music, funk, hip hop, indie, New Music, New York, pop, soul
Stay Gold by Dreamgirl (Toronto, Canada)
Sometimes when you’re having a really crappy day it helps to listen to some pop music. I don’t mean sad pop or shoegaze or chillwave or whatever genre is now trending over the interwebs, I mean: pop. Dreamgirl have done a fantastic job at creating a dancey pop EP. Stay Gold is a stretch from what I typically listen to but sometimes you need to extend your ear and open your senses. Lovecat, stop being such a chump and listen to this sweet, sweet pop. @LeahLovecat
Posted in A: Lovecat, T: LP/EP
Tagged Canada, Dance, DIY Recording, dreamgirl, not your lover, pop, stay gold, Toronto
’Purple Drank (Michael Jukeson Remix)’ by Axel Boman (United States)
Wait. Don’t just casually click that play button. This footwork track requires more than the casual listen. It’s absolutely bonkers. It’s liquid juke. I woke up with your name on my lips, for fucks sake! [Free Download] @L0pat0
I’m going to do something bad. Something that will forever distinguish my place in history as a uncontrollable goon, a notorious rebel. I’m going to break the mold (and typical formatting) of this blog, simultaneously destroying its integrity and familiarity to you, the reader. And I’m going to do this by starting a new series of posts; a weekly electronic dance showcase I am so very cleverly entitling ”Nothing 2 Dance 2.” It will feature 4 or 5 recent tracks by different artists, usually centered around a theme and sometimes a genre because I like themes and tolerate genres. High production values and “sick drops” won’t be the focus here, but those certainly aren’t omissive qualities; popularity and familiarity, however, are. It will be posted every Wednesday because Wednesday is when you, the reader, needs this music. Now with all that out of the way: Juke
“Woah, what the foghorns was that? I can’t dance to that!”
It was a Juke track, and we both know you don’t do much dancing outside of the confines of your apartment and birthday suit. And of course people DO dance to it, but you should really ask Youtube about that. But wait, check this out first:
Wild, yeah? That one was from Japan, by MIAMI HEAT TECH off of a compilation album released by this tumblr. Clicking that will yield a field of japanese characters peppered with familiar english words like “bootyism.” Yes, across the Pacific they are working their feet and shaking what they got (or don’t). I highly recommend downloading and listening to the rest of the compilation. Here’s a track that requires the frequency reproduction of your speakers or headphones to be at least as low as 50hz. Try this trick and spin it:
“Wait a minute, that wasn’t at all like the other tracks! And this doesn’t sound like ‘Where is My Mind’ one bit, gosh darn-it!”
Juke, sometimes known as footwork, juketronik, gutta, or even its predecessor ghetto house, is branching out in a serious way. Once a highly formulaic genre confined to urban Chicago dance battles, Juke has gone worldwide, incorporating elements of…well whatever the hell it wants. Its hunger for deviation is as huge and untamable as the music itself. As far as the remix bit goes, don’t look at me dude. I just listen to the shit.
Fucking transcendent! Hard to hate that! Oh, what’s that? ………. Then why are you still here? Calvin Harris will probably have a new single out before the end of the Summer. For those of you who are into it, here’s one more. It samples “Bravo” by Jacqueline Taïeb. Not for the feint of heart or user of laptop speakers (although what’s stopping a deviant like you?). It starts out trappy, goes jukey, then makes its way back to the trap all at a decidedly lower tempo than than typical. As if anything about this style is typical. Alright, happy listening, I’ll see you next Wednesday (except for the other posts i make, whatever bro). @L0pat0
