Tanka “Strutt (Sage Caswell Remix)”*Chasing Unicorns*

Next month, 21-year-old UK bass merchant Tanka (a.k.a. Francis Leigh) is slated to drop his Efferverse EP via Chasing Unicorns, and has preceded its release with a remix from LA newcomer Sage Caswell, who recently issued his own EP and the collaborative “Vines” b/w “Pyrex” single with Cromie. Caswell’s version of “Strutt” takes the Kerri Chandler-influenced sheen pushed by the original production and gives it a peak-time techno edge with its cascading chords and robust 4/4. The rest of Tanka’s Efferverse EP will see a release on August 5.

Strutt (Sage Caswell Remix)

Ikonika Aerotropolis

In the three years since Ikonika (a.k.a. Sara Abdel-Hamid) released her Hyperdub debut, Contact, Love, Want, Have, the London bass scene has expanded in countless different directions. For Ikonika, that’s presented an opportunity to relax her formula and play with an ever-widening selection of influences. Building off last year’s I Make Lists EP, her second full-length, Aerotropolis, offers an array of tracks hewed from ’80s pop and electro. The result is an album that trades in bright, even giddy bass music, but completes its retro-futuristic vision with a satisfying smattering of darker synth tracks.

As with her previous work, Aerotropolis is still very much inspired by the videogames of Abdel-Hamid’s youth. One could imagine the LP soundtracking a character who’s jumping over obstacles and evading enemies in the corridors of the album cover’s maze. (The new Rob Walker-directed video for “Mr. Cake” is inspired by Grand Theft Auto, a game that Ikonika has said she enjoys playing on her phone.) Similar to stages in a game, Aerotropolis‘ tracks move between high-energy productions and more sinister constructions, though the cuts rarely stray from Ikonika’s limited array of patches and presets. Aptly titled album standout “Beach Mode (Keep It Simple)” is a freestyle-flavored piece of DayGlo dance music that features Canadian singer Jessy Lanza on vocals. “Completion V.3” and the Optimum-featuring “Mega Church,” on the other hand, mix in analog-sounding drones to create a gloomier vibe—if one were to hear the latter out of context, they could be forgiven for assuming it was taken from a Megaman boss battle.

Along with the album’s videogame-tinged tone, Aerotropolis is also a record about escape. Said to be inspired by living near Heathrow and the idea of an “airport city,” the music suggests a sci-fi fantasy where a tropical vacation is only a neural implant away. “Eternal Mode” sees Ikonika incorporating Italo synths and woodblock percussion into a track that would play nicely in the pink-blazered world of Miami Vice. The song is also reminiscent of Cliff Martinez’s work on Drive, which treads similarly nostalgic terrain. Unlike the more drawn-out synth numbers found elsewhere on the album, “Manchego” is something of an outlier with its blippy synth stabs and jackin’ rhythm.

The impression that Aerotropolis ultimately leaves is that of a playful artist who cares deeply about her sonic choices but doesn’t take herself too seriously. Given the LP’s imaginative point of view, it’s an album best listened to while daydreaming of far off places or getting lost in virtual realities. What’s more, it does a nice job expanding Ikonika’s world, as she hops between genres and enlivens well-trod sounds with her unique production style. For the most part, it’s simply a pleasure to sit back and plug in.

Blacky II “Bought You a Snake”**

Longtime NY DJ Blacky II—who currently presides over the city’s monthly Rinsed gatherings—has begun to turn his interests to production, and will issue his debut EP, Spirit of the Body (artwork above), via the fledgling Sci-Fi & Fantasy label tomorrow. Before that record drops, Blacky II (real name Bobby Picciotto) has offered up bonus cut “Bought You a Snake,” an organ-flecked, late-night house groover that comes complete with a hint of slithering smoothness befitting of its title. Furthermore, the label has organized a free party at a secret Brooklyn location to celebrate the release of Piccicotto’s debut EP. The event will feature Blacky II alongside much of the Sci-Fi & Fantasy family, with sets from Max McFerren and label head Lamin Fofana, among others, planned. More party details can be found here, and preview clips of Blacky II’s debut EP can be heard after the jump.

Bought You a Snake

The Lowdown – This Week’s XLR8R Top 10 with Scuba, Four Tet, Moderat, and More

Throughout the week, a whole lot of material gets posted here on XLR8R. And while we know—and love—that some hardcore readers will eagerly pour over every single news story, interview, podcast, video, and MP3 download that appears on the site, we also realize that for most people, it’s impossible to see everything, which means that some quality XLR8R content is likely to get missed in the hustle and bustle of everyone’s daily lives. In the interest of making it easier for everyone to catch up, every Friday we present The Lowdown, a weekly wrap-up of the top 10 tidbits from our site.

1. Following the final edition of his Berlin-based Sub:stance party, Scuba (pictured above) discussed its history and why he elected to bring the party to a close.

2. Last weekend, we trekked a few hours outside of Berlin to the 2013 edition of Germany’s Melt! festival; after its conclusion, we put together a summary of the festival’s highs and lows.

3. UK producer Four Tet took to Twitter to announce the impending release of his latest full-length album. A radio rip of LP cut “Kool FM” surfaced later in the week.

4. New Jersey native and Italians Do It Better boss Mike Simonetti delivered a new mix for this week’s edition of the XLR8R podcast series.

5. Detroit veteran Mike Huckaby shared a new video in which he gives a “masterclass” in Ableton’s Live 9 while also sharing some general production tips.

6. Before its sophomore album II drops next week, German trio Moderat unveiled a stream of LP cut “This Time.”

7. Up-and-coming LA beatmaker Knxwledge offered up a new beat tape with the clever title of Hexual.Sealings.Prt.5.

8. Hessle Audio co-founder Pearson Sound delivered a new mix this week, one that’s entirely focused on the output of Dave Huismans (a.k.a. 2562, A Made Up Sound).

9. London producer AEIOU sent along the hard-hitting “Loin” as a free offering for our Downloads section.

10. Another popular tune from the Downloads section was the Shenoda remix of Ursa Minor’s “October,” a seven-minute excursion into deep dancefloor grooves, refracted vocal processing, and a subtle hint of electro-pop appeal.

An expanded version of the The Lowdown is also available via a weekly email newsletter. Those interested in an even more in-depth round-up of XLR8R content, including a complete listing of all the free downloads we’ve offered in the past seven days, should sign up by entering their email address below.

Subscribe to the XLR8R Lowdown

Watch a New Mini-Doc About Synkro

After making the grade as an “Artist to Watch” during our Bubblin’ Up Week early in the year, Machester producer Synkro has kept himself considerably busy, issuing the excellent Acceptance EP back in January, following it up with a number of remixduties, and—more recently—reavling himself as half of the rising Akkord duo. Now, a new mini-doc about the multi-talented artist has surfaced as part of Electronic Beats‘ Slices series, in which the budding tunesmith discusses the roots of his craft, a bit of his creation process, and why walking his dog has helped his evolution as an artist. The 10-plus-minute interview can be watched in full below.

Stream a New Remix from MK

Originally released back in January of this year, Wankelmut‘s “My Head Is a Jungle” single is set to be the subject of a new remix EP, which will include a new piano-driven edit at the hands of the “MK Dub” man himself, Marc Kinchen. Kinchen’s remix will join others from the likes of Brazilian innovator Gui Boratto, anonymous UK bass specialist Friend Within, and one from Danish sonic wizard Kasper Bjørke (originally offered as a free download earlier this year). MK’s take on “My Head is a Jungle” can be heard below, where we’ve also included the complete tracklist for the remix EP, set to drop on September 15 via Get Physical.

01 My Head Is A Jungle
02 My Head Is A Jungle (MK Remix)
03 My Head Is A Jungle (Friend Within Remix)
04 My Head Is A Jungle (Gui Boratto Remix)
05 My Head Is A Jungle (Extended Vocal Mix)
06 My Head Is A Jungle (Solee Remix)
07 My Head Is A Jungle (Kasper Bjorke’s Liquid Lips Remix)

Download a New Mix from FaltyDL

With this week’s announcment that FaltyDL would launch his own Blueberry imprint with an EP from Brrd this September, the Brooklyn producer has put together a new mix, offering it as a free download. Said to have been made in a single afternoon during NYC’s recent sweltering heat wave, the appropriately titled It’s Hot Outside mix not only serves as a means to showcase FaltyDL’s talents as a selector, but also distract listeners from the intense summer heat—for 50 minutes at least. The full DJ set, which includes tracks from both Brrd’s and Luke Vibert’s forthcoming releases for Blueberry (among other prime cuts), can be streamed in full below—where its tracklist can also be found—and downloaded via Vice Italy, here.

Theo Parrish – Intro / No Joke – Sound Signature
?Brrd – Embrace! – Blueberry Records?
FaltyDL – Power – Swamp81
?DJ Abstract – Touch – Tempa?
Jon Hopkins – Breath This Air – Domino
?AFX – Breath March – Rephlex
?FaltyDL – Time – Ninja Tune
?FaltyDL – Regret – Hotflush
?Nobukazu Takemura – Let My Fish Loose (Aphex Twin remix) – Warp?
Julianna Barwick – Cloudbank – Self Release d
Luke Vibert – Daydreamin – Blueberry Records
?Lukid – Hair Of The Dog – Werk
?Drexciya – Bubble Metropolis – Underground Resistance
?Aphex Twin – Donkey Rhubarb – Warp?
FaltyDL – Danger – Ninja Tune
?Ben Frost and Daniel Bjarnason – Unbreakable Silence – Bedroom Community
?Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges – Cravo E Canela – Odeon

DJ EZ to Issue Next ‘Fabriclive’ Mix

UK garage aficionado DJ EZ has revealed the details of his installment for London club/label Fabric‘s long-standing Fabriclive series. The 32-track Fabriclive 71 mix album will feature cuts from DJ EZ himself, contributions from veteran artists MJ Cole, Artful Dodger, and Todd Edwards, and tunes from more contemporary acts—including Disclosure, SBTRKT, Royal T, and DJ Q. Before DJ EZ’s outing for Fabriclive drops on September 6, its full tracklist and artwork can be found below.

01 EZ – EZ Intro 7 (One Recordings)
02 Artful Dodger feat. Zoe Kypri – No I Turn You On – Disclosure remix – DJ EZ special (Public Demand)
03 Moony – Relax
04 Cleptomaniacs – All I Do (Bump & Flex Dance Floor Dub)
05 Jammin – Hold On
06 Sia – Little Man (Exemen Works Remix)
07 Jook 10 – The Beginning
08 SBTRKT feat. Sampha – Living Like I Do (Lil Silva Remix)
09 Cause & Affect – Kamikazee
10 Shystie – Pull It (Fabian Dubz Remix)
11 N’n’G – I Keep
12 Stephen Emmanuel presents Colours – Hold On (SE22 mix)
13 Woz – Reach
14 Mike Delinquent Project feat. KCAT (Live)
15 Dem 2 – Destiny
16 Majestic – Let’s Go Back
17 Royal T – I Know You Want Me
18 Nativ – Afrocentrism
19 DJ Q presents Classified – Classified Bass
20 EZ – Want You Back
21 Todd Edwards – Javid Khan
22 Once Waz Nice – Messing Around – (Wideboys Mix)
23 Disclosure feat. Eliza Doolittle – You & Me
24 Ed Case feat. Shelley Nelson – Something In Your Eyes
25 Smokin Beats – Dreams
26 Disclosure feat. Ria Ritchie – Control
27 Issac Christopher – The Good Old Days (Kerri Chandler Instrumental)
28 MD X-Press – God Made Me Phunky
29 Cause & Affect – Social Experiment
30 RiP Productions – Mellow Works
31 MJ Cole – Sincere
32 Jess Mills – Vultures (MJ Cole Remix)

Take a Look Inside Mr. G’s Studio

52-year-old UK house veteran and Rekids affiliate Mr. G recently opened the doors to his modest home studio, discussing the synths, rack gear, and production processes that have fueled the former Londoner’s—he now resides an hour’s train ride away from the English capital—long and fruitful career. Sitting down to chat with Resident Advisor for the site’s semi-regular Machine Love series, Mr. G covers the importance of maintaining a vibe in his studio, also going into detail about his approach to sampling on the MPC (which, believe it or not, involves no time stretching), the integral role EQ plays in his process, and how he—surprisingly enough—still chooses to record to mono. RA’s full interview and picture set can be found here.

The Soft “Prana (Joonipah Remix)”*Ceremony*

The Soft is a few lads from Suffolk with a penchant for flowing, experimental textures and the kind of pulse and focus usually found in minimal techno. The trio’s forthcoming Uncanny Valley EP for Ceremony (out in September), manages to place equal emphasis on atmosphere and propulsive rhythms. Here, fellow Brit Joonipah remixes The Soft’s new “Prana” single, propping it up by a snappy backbeat that feels carefully locked into place. A reversed vocal loop swells from the swampy atmosphere, while Joonipah continues to push the production’s heavenly vibes and club-leaning framework to the limits.

Prana (Joonipah Remix)

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