Monday, December 9, 2013

Le Dom - Polygon



Attacking house with sample-heavy and experimental panache, Le Dom's 'Polygon' leaps and bounds with a fierce low end, swinging as much as it stutters. Various machine-like swoops and rises evoke the sounds of futuristic software, drawing a parallel between the track and the artwork provided. Though only two cuts can be found on Le Dom's SoundCloud, the production quality suggests this isn't his first rodeo-- not by a long shot.

-Farsight

Saturday, December 7, 2013

We Got All Night - Willie Beats



With his new track "We Got All Night", Chicago-based producer Willie Beats returns from a substantial hiatus in production and strikes out in a very new sonic direction. He departs from the chill vibes of his "What Time Is It?" Collection, which blend the sounds of Nujabes, Tycho, and DJ Sabzi with the boundless and childlike optimism of the cartoon from which it takes its name, Adventure Time. "We Got All Night" is darker and edgier, supporting a vaped-out soul sample and sassy 80's synths with tense 808 drums. Whether this represents just a dalliance or a sustained change in direction remains to be seen; we can only hope we don't have to wait six months to find out.

-Hieratic

GREMS - Pinocchio



A smooth affair from the mind of Parisian rapper GREMS and production duo Tambour Battant, 'Pinocchio' exudes good taste. Though essentially a trap beat, Tambour keeps the tone restrained, employing a steady ride-cymbal to create an almost jazzy atmosphere.

-Farsight

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Show Review: V.I.V.E.K., Joe Nice, DJ Tornado & Primary Residents

Photo Courtesy of Dan Horvath

Opportunities to experience well-curated dubstep of the deeper and darker variety are relatively few and far between in America; this is especially the case in the Midwest. This makes appearances by the likes of System Sound founder V.I.V.E.K. and "America's dubstep ambassador" Joe Nice truly memorable. As anticipated, both delivered outstanding sets this past Thursday at Chicago's Primary Nightclub.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Hannah Wants & Chris Lorenzo - You Love Me



The duo of Hannah Wants and Chris Lorenzo have proved themselves a formidable pairing, known for relentlessly turning out crisp, bass-heavy house that takes no prisoners. 'You Love Me,' as with many Wants/Lorezno productions makes use of repeated vocal samples, energetic rhythms of the jacking variety, and dark synths reminiscent of deep dubstep. The track's half-step breakdowns give the entire composition room to breathe, allowing the sub-bass to come through nicely-- a frequency-range too often neglected in the genre of house as a whole.

-Farsight

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Seablaze - Disc 1: Kalm



A newcomer espousing the seapunk aesthetic with gusto, Chicago's very own Seablaze is appropriately poised to release his first offering on Russia's Hyperboloid Records, a veritable treasure trove of hyperactive beats that revel in their own internet-fueled pastiche. Sporting the typical palette of incessantly melodic day-glo synths while tastefully re-appropriating aspects of trap, juke, and more experimental sub-genres, Seablaze has hit upon a particularly compelling combination that is greater than the sum of its parts, an increasingly rare achievement in this particular (and often maligned) musical niche. Seablaze has graciously offered 'Pastel Spells,' a more restrained cut from the release as a free download, here.

-Farsight

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Tessela - Horizon



Serving as the flip side to Tessela's new single 'Nancy's Pantry,' 'Horizon' serves up a fiery dose of what we've come to expect from the producer of the much celebrated 'Hackney Parrot'-- crushing breaks, serious low-end and straightforward melodies reminiscent of 90's house. 'Horizon' makes particular use of irregular rhythms, exploding out of its otherwise predictable introductory buildup with an angular, stop-start breakdown that could shatter windows.

-Farsight

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Farsight - Lockup



Finally ending a considerable break from production, a new track has been released under my Farsight moniker. Featuring elements of futuristic grime and trap infused with an abstract twist, 'Lockup' is a personal reinterpretation of recent listening favorites. Download it for zero dollars here.

-Farsight

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Hucci - Prism



If there is one sound that is symbolic of all that 17-year-old UK trap producer Hucci accomplishes in his new EP Rose Gold, out this week for free download, it is the siren sample from the fourth track, Prism. This trite, over-used sample, capable of prompting eye rolls and dismissive smirks from even the least snooty of electronic music fans, has been slowed down, filtered, and tastefully reverberated to create a memorable and haunting sound from trite and obnoxious starting material. This is precisely the alchemy that Hucci and other "deep trap" producers (Moonkay, Deadly Dollaz) have performed with the entire genre of trap and all its ugly, lazy tropes. Let's hope that they win out over the REVL TRVP $HIT troglodytes and their ilk. You can do your part by checking out this EP.

- Hieratic

Friday, October 4, 2013

Pomo - So Fine



Huh What & Where has made an excellent new acquisition in Canadian producer and multi-instrumentalist Pomo. Though his solo oeuvre is still slight - just two tracks - he seems well-poised to carve out a unique niche as simultaneously the nu-disco aficionado of HW&W's crew and the most hip-hop friendly of the growing future funk set. His newest track, So Fine, has all the relaxed vibes of a Poolside cut but adds a driving intensity laid down by the insistent, brassy synth leads of the intro and pushed forward by the arpeggiated chips and insistent kick of the main section. Look out for more tracks from him with other studs of the HW&W stable, like Ta-KuKaytranada, and Evil Needle.

-Hieratic

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Jackson and His Computerband - Vista (Hudson Mohawke Remix)



Featuring a tantalizing 3 minute buildup, prolific Glaswegian Hudson Mohawke has metamorphosed Jackson and His Computerband's already exceptional single 'Vista' into a soaring neon anthem, the climax of which is reminiscent of label mate Rustie's work. How the times have changed; the man who once brought us showstopping Brainfeeder tinged cuts like 'Star of a Story' has increasingly begun to tap into his mainstream-edm friendly leanings. Although there's certainly nothing wrong with that, it feels strange being able to say anything made by Mohawke would fit comfortably under somebody else's name, even if it is longtime colleague Rustie.

-Farsight

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Jordan Rakei - Add The Bassline (Penthouse Penthouse Remix)



From its humble beginnings as a two-man remix contest, Team Supreme has blossomed into a cornerstone of the West Coast’s electronic scene, putting out a weekly remix set that is consistently excellent. The tracks are provided by a broad and deep stable of chilled-out, hip-hop influenced producers, but the real standout is Penthouse Penthouse, the collaboration between Preston James and Mike Parvizi. Their most recent contribution to the Team Supreme series is this remix of a soon-to-be-released Jordan Rakei track called “Add the Bassline” that ably marries classic garage sounds with contemporary sensibilities. If you missed it, you should also check out their track Closer with Chloe Martini from two months back to see their take on the nu-disco sound.

-Hieratic

Friday, September 27, 2013

Jam City - Club Constructions Vol. 6



An enigma with a knack for oblique, minimal and often experimental cuts, Night Slugs pillar Jam City is set to release a fresh batch of dance floor ammunition early this October. This EP marks the sixth installment of the 'Club Constructions' releases, a carefully curated series that arguably represents Night Slugs' most accessible offerings — the label's forward-thinking bent is at times challenging to the uninitiated. Accordingly, Jam City's "constructions" are uniformly dance-able, featuring his relentless kick-patterns, rhythmic samples, and flourishing, persistent synthwork (notably in the case of the EP's heavy-hitting closer, 'Garlands'). The end result is satisfying and far less abstract than his LP, 'Classical Curves,' although both are provocative in their own right.

-Farsight

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Dirty Chocolate - Awesome



Trap is dead. Long live trap. Just as it looked doomed to be the next dubstep, a genre reduced to a punchline, trap has seen a flowering of creativity by artists like Dirty Chocolate. His new track 'Awesome' artfully interweaves distorted, contorted samples from Danny Brown's "Blunt After Blunt" extolling the virtues of kush with luscious, chippy treble synths and thick bass — and all without asking "Damn son, where'd ya find this?". With artists like Colta and Two Fresh also pushing the boundaries of trap, there may be hope for the genre yet.

-Hieratic

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Unknown Artist - XPNL 001



This four track vinyl-only release takes no prisoners, cutting to the quick with a syncopated, gritty style that that pays homage to breakbeat, grime and dubstep. This EP constitutes the founding release of the Expect No Less label, an offshoot of the established Sound Pellegrino imprint. Orgasmic, the driving force behind Expect No Less, asserts his new venture aims to release "tools and secret weapons for demanding DJs". With versatile rhythms that could shake up almost any set released at a highly limited run of 200 copies, I can see how "secret weapon" would be an appropriate descriptor. Speaking of secrets, although the producer is billed as "Unknown Artist", the liner notes indicate that this mysterious figure is in fact fellow French producer Para One, better known for airy, synth filled cuts.

-Farsight

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Poolside - Slow Down



It my be fall, but that doesn't mean you can't warm up with this summery cut by nu-disco enthusiasts Poolside, off their 2012 album Pacific Standard Time, available here. This track, “Slow Down”, is hot, sticky, and deliciously sweet, like a Sno-Cone melting on Venice Beach in late July. Listen to it whenever you want to kick back, relax, and feel like you’re sitting at the side of a pool, no matter the weather. -Hieratic

Monday, September 16, 2013

Addison Groove & Sam Binga - Rzor



Sam Binga is quickly carving a unique niche for himself in the world of 160+ bpm music by skillfully combining footwork and DnB with a dash of trap music. Though the trio often share tempo, there has until recently been a distinct lack of hybridization between the three, more often than not limited to acknowledgement by way of a stray break in the case of trap or perhaps a distinctive juke snare rhythm in drum and bass. However, 'Rzor' off of Binga's collaborative EP with established producer Addison Groove provides an excellent case for further exploration of this mixture. The track's frantic sub stabs and ever-building percussion do credit to its various genres of origin while simultaneously giving life to something truly fresh.

-Farsight

Sunday, September 15, 2013

DJ Funk - Three Fine Hoes (Sinjin Hawke Remix)



Although grandiose horn arrangements and orchestral stings might seem at odds with the relatively no-frills aesthetic of ghetto house, Sinjin Hawke has melded them in manner that is engrossing and altogether thrilling. Hawke's remix of DJ Funk's 'Three Fine Hoes' is in part notable for its incessant climbing; about two thirds of its play time are swells and rises, finally giving way to a brief segment that only vaguely resembles the straightforward trappings of its original. Sinjin's project seems to be an effort to maximize the impact of ghetto house's trademark minimalism by juxtaposing it with an exceptionally extravagant production. It's pretty damn safe to say he did a great job of it. Forthcoming on France's Booty Call Records.

-Farsight

Friday, June 28, 2013

Swindle - Running Cold Ft. Terri Walker



With his Deep Medi album debut Long Live the Jazz, London's Swindle continues to dynamically blend jazz, funk, soul, grime and dubstep to perfection, yielding sounds that are as time-honored as they are futuristic. Serving as the album's halfway point, 'Running Cold' features the passionate vocal stylings of Terri Walker, lamenting a lost love over the backing of Swindle's signature synth-work and a funky slapped bass line. The album is a refreshing addition to the Deep Medi catalogue, a collection often dominated by dark 140 bpm constructions.

-Farsight

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Demdike Stare - Collision



Demdike Stare’s Myspace page informs readers that one half of this two-man crew is also part of a duo called “Pendle Coven” and the other is the “dedicated digger behind the Haxan events”. If that’s not weird enough to put you off their music, then their granular synths, static hisses, and ultra-compressed percussion might be just your thing. This release, off Modern Love, is their first in some time and part of a daring new direction for the occult enthusiasts, one that leads into the jungle – or at the very least, the heart of darkness – with hints of industrial and break.

-Hieratic

Saturday, June 22, 2013

DIGI - Ivory

                       

Digi G'Alessio, Italian bass-music producer extraordinaire, has just released Ivory, an EP infused with the sounds of Digi's (alleged) recent trip to Africa. Digi's typically off-kilter brand of production, characteristic of his usual label, Lucky Beard, is joined with layered hand drums, shakers and elephant noises. The eponymous track, 'Ivory' is especially notable for its absolutely mental half-time breakdown at the 3 minute mark, combining a unique range of sounds to constitute one of the most compelling approaches to trap music in recent memory.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Chapelier Fou - Protest (Dimlite's re-ça va pas)



Flaunting his finely honed production skills, Switzerland's Dimlite unleashes a supremely atmospheric remix of 'Protest' by Chapelier Fou. The orchestral instrumentation ebbs and flows in unison, violins and cellos resonating to the rhythm of a melody that smacks of remorseful reminiscence. Dimlite's remix is utterly cinematic in its quality and effect, beckoning attentive repeat listening.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Marcus Intalex - Riots



Always prolific, liquid DnB guru Marcus Intalex has just released fresh heat on Goldie's legendary Metalheadz imprint. 'Riots' finds Intalex going absolutely minimal; the track features a two-note bass line backed by a bare-bones kick-snare pattern. A testament to his mastery of the genre, Intalex's grasp of drum and bass allows him to distill its elements while retaining its essence effortlessly. Definitely worth a listen, if not a purchase.

Hayato6go - CHOP JUKE



With its surprising diversity and ingenuity, the Japanese juke scene provides a welcome respite for those footwork fans who are a bit too familiar with the typical Chicago-inflected take. Representing the Osaka-based Booty Tune label, producer Hayato6go crafts maximalist beats that feature an impressive range of influences, barely honing in on one genre before deftly turning to another. Featured on Hayato's recently released EP Promised Land, 'CHOP JUKE' finds a tasteful jazz bass sample careening head-first into a manic rush of samples and rhythmic 808 assaults. While the EP is weighed down by a couple of weak tracks, the all-caps  'CHOP JUKE' is one of Hayato's stronger offerings.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Elgato - Dunkel Jam


Despite his still-fledgling discography, Hessle Audio alumnus Elgato has an off-kilter touch that makes his tracks shine. Featuring a percussive, rolling bass line, 'Dunkel Jam' again finds "The Cat" exploring the more unconventional reaches of house-tempo music. Although one could easily construct a straightforward garage jaunt with the drum-hits, samples and vocals employed here, Elgato's vision allows for an altogether more rewarding experience.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Kahn - Badman City ft. Flowdan


I would love to see Kahn's hard drive; with so many tunes released at such a frenetic pace he must have countless more that never see the light of day. The Bristol native's upcoming EP, 'Badman City' features an eponymous cut with Flowdan on the mic. Needless to say, the pairing is utterly lethal and the track is crushing. Although Kahn's somewhat formulaic approach to grime is evident (see 'Fierce', 'Percy VIP', his remix of Joker's 'Back in the Days', etc.), for now it remains undeniably visceral and satisfying. Here's to many more.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Thee Oh Sees - Toe Cutter / Thumb Buster


To break up the usual electronic fare, I'd like to leave this little gem here. San Francisco locals Thee Oh Sees have a very special place in my heart. Their upcoming LP 'Floating Coffin' will feature 'Toe Cutter / Thumb Buster', a jam that alternates between sludgy and dreamy without breaking stride. I can imagine this being perfect on a sultry summer afternoon. Available for free download here!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Loefah x Trigga - Untitled


Finally breaking a long-standing moratorium on new tunes, we now have fresh dubplate business from DMZ co-founder and Swamp 81 proprietor Loefah. As of yet untitled, this cut recalls the sparse percussion of 'The Goat Stare' and the tectonic bass of 'Disco Rekah' while slowing the whole affair down to house tempo. Unfortunately for us, Loe reveals here that he has no intentions of releasing his own tunes any time soon.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Pearson Sound - Quivver


Of the shows I've seen in Paris, I have to say Pearson Sound at Le Batofar absolutely took the cake. While I expected Hudmo to blow away the competition, he cut his own set short by half an hour and refused to play an encore despite the ecstatic crowd... Come on now, really?

Pearson Sound, on the other hand, absolutely smashed it while demonstrating a level of professionalism that all djs should aspire to. Although the crowd was relatively small, Pearson flawlessly mixed an inspired set which ran the gamut from funky house to grime. Flexing his knowledge of electronic music as well as his formidable dj chops, the co-founder of Hessle Audio kept the audience on their toes. His change-ups were unpredictable yet thrilling, often transitioning between disparate genres and moods while somehow keeping everything coherent.

Highlights of the night included 'Quivver', Pearson's newest offering, available on a NonPlus+ records compilation released late last month. Sampled breaks and off-kilter percussion typical of Pearson give way to a pounding sub-bass after the drop. So lovely.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Chvrches - Recover (Cid Rim Remix)


Last night I bore witness to the Glaswegian madman Hudson Mohawke as he tore up the Social Club in Paris alongside other members of the prolific Lucky Me collective. To be honest, I'd never heard of Viennese producer Cid Rim, who flaunted a well groomed pencil-stache and a "RUN VIE" t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His set, immediately preceding Hudmo's, was largely textbook Lucky Me: lush, futuristic synths, dense percussion, and a pervasive yet subtle hip-hop bent. While the middle of his set seemed to lose momentum (and admittedly my attention), he rebounded gracefully with a few inspired tracks; his remix of Chvrches' 'Recover' actually killed it. Upon listening to the original this morning, I have to say Cid Rim succeeds in adding a whole new level of depth to the track and makes it soar. Definitely copping this one when it gets released.


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Lion González - You Sound Like You're Close To Home


Lion González tears it up with his debut release, Close to Home. The eponymous cut, 'You Sound Like You're Close To Home' rocks a steady garage rhythm superimposed over a shimmering synth line that glides at just the right moments. The ubiquitous spliced and and re-pitched vocals typical of this style add a solid dose of warmth and soul. My first impression was how perfectly this track would sit in a Jamie XX mix.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Cluekid - Dolphin


I can't hide my love for Cluekid, nor for this track. I first heard 'Dolphin' on a mix in 2011 and it pulled me in with its refreshingly chilled out vibes and serene composition. The track remained an exclusive dubplate until the end of this January, when it saw release on Aquatic Labs. No doubt Clue will be dropping this one when he spins at the DMZ 8th Birthday bash.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Total Science - Going in Circles (Break Remix)

Break puts out a stunner of a remix, originally done by drum and bass production duo Total Science. The tightly coiled bass line is accentuated skilfully by Break's characteristic knack for rhythmic variation and frenetic drum fills, making for a graceful yet high-energy track.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Chubba - Round Up

Chubba on the buttons here, putting out a style that rocks a house tempo with the bass turned up to eleven.  A few sampled syllables and a persistent synth stab provide the melody while swung sub hits take care of the rest; the beauty of this track for me lies in its poignant simplicity. Not too sparse and not too cluttered, Round Up is contently straightforward.

STARZ - JUKE IT

Absolutely insane work from London-based STARZ here. This display of raw production talent brings new excitement to the now well-worn trap formula that has established itself on dance floors everywhere. JUKE IT features a wide variety of passages that flow elegantly into one another, beginning with a carefully crafted and expansive intro that makes clear STARZ's versatility as a producer before cementing a firm yet playful understanding of the bass-ics.