In case you don’t check dubstepforum.com (where members are going nuts over this track), Bristol-based producer Joker has unleashed a high-quality download of “Solid State,” free to any and all bass lovers out there. And though he’s known first and foremost as a dubstep artist, hip-hop connoisseurs and electro nerds alike can also get down to the minimally crafted, no-nonsense beats and synths on this track. (via Resident Advisor)
Earlier this year, N.Y.-based DJ and promoter Eamon Harkin chatted with former Output Recordings boss Trevor Jackson, who played a set at Studio B’s Prime Time Party that same night.
Harkin currently has the set from that party streaming at his blog, a it’s a melting-pot style batch of tunes from the likes of Moodyman, Runaway, Throbbing Gristle, and Yazoo, among others. Download it here.
Boyfriend/girlfriend duo Math the Band makes a strange amalgamation of 8-bit-heavy electronic music, screeching punk, and melodic pop, so when combined, the band’s signature sound is suited for a wide variety of music fans. The two will release their second full-length, Don’t Worry, this June, and from the sounds of this track, reckless abandon and unabashed fun will be common themes on the release.
Don’t Worry is out June 9.
Spastic North Carolina duo Ear Pwr sure is adorable. Fueled by Devin Booze’s breakneck beats and advanced synth skills, the music is designed with two things in mind—fun and dancing. Their hyperactive pace and lo-fi aesthetic is certainly reminiscent of artists like Dan Deacon (the duo actually moved to Baltimore recently to play more shows and be around more like-minded bands), but Sarah Reynolds’ vocals are surprisingly melodic and prevent the incessantly pounding Super Animal Brothers III from becoming an obnoxious listen. The album could easily soundtrack any DIY dance party, but songs like “Future Eyes,” “Beam of Light,” and the title track are especially sweet.
Comprised of producers Diego “Aether” Chavez and Daniel Stanush, San Antonio duo A.M. Architect offers a complex-but-cool brand of lounge-ready beats on its digital-only debut. What especially works for Chavez and Stanush here is how they combine multiple components into a groove that’s often fairly accessible. The folktronic “Upon” is one the album’s standouts, with its glitchy acoustic guitar parts and mellow keys carefully weaving in and out of the downtempo percussion. Yes, some tracks are reminiscent of other artists (e.g. Boom Bip), but ultimately A.M. Architect is on its way to building a new sound straight out of South Texas.
Eric Frederic (a.k.a. Wallpaper) sure doesn’t mess around when it comes to funking up the ante. Here he sets “The Reeling,” from Passion Pit, on the operation table and gets to dissecting quick, injecting the song’s first few seconds with a potent Afro-beat blast and some Krautish synthery. We’re eager to see what goodies Frederic will have up his sleeve next.
Summertime is just up around the bend, folks, and we all know what that means: it’s time to bring the ruckus once again, and whether it’s at a block party bash or a gathering on tarred rooftop, the gang over at the Berlin’s Staubgold imprint seems determined to cool us off.
Among the goodies the label is offering in the coming week’s, Musically Massive—out June 19—is one to get particularly excited about. The project pits NYC producer David Last against the dread baritone of dancehall artist MC Zulu. Marinated in a heavy mash of dancehall, electro, and hip-hop, these hot summer jams should get the bodies moving in no time.
Musically Massive
01 “Ever Ready”
02 “Ghettoblaster”
03 “Exhibition Virtue”
04 “Spanish Fly”
05 “Hit Parade”
06 “Necessary Evils”
07 “Monday Morning”
08 “License To Kill”
09 “Firestarter”
10 “Caresss” (Album Version)
11 “Put Me On Your Guestlist” featuring: CX Kidtronik & Maharani
12 “Uptown Party Life”
13 “License To Kill” (Duplicate Episode)
14 “Caresss” (Dancefloor Version)
Noise, noise, and more noise. After hearing this track from Michael Quinn (a.k.a. Corridor), we understand his recent appearances with the likes of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti and Rainbow Arabia. The multi-instrumentalist will release his self-titled debut album on May 26 and, from the sounds of this track, likely avoid any genrefication in the process.
Jay Reatard will be the first to admit that music is everything. “There’s really nothing else in the world that conjures up any sort of ambition in me,” he said in a 2008 interview with XLR8R. It makes sense, then, that his live shows are often as impassioned as his attitude, and fans of garage-punk that’s confrontational like no other will get a chance to see him in action this summer.
He’ll embark on a lengthy tour that kicks off in June and continues through mid-July. And since he’s, like, the most prolific dude ever, he’ll have plenty of songs to choose from for these shows
Jay Reatard:
06/06 Athens, OH – Ohio University
06/11 San Diego, CA – Casba *
06/12 Los Angeles, CA – Echo *
06/13 San Francisco, CA – The Independent *
06/15 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe *
06/16 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
06/17 Portland, OR – Dantes *
06/19 Long Beach, CA – Alex’s Bar ^
06/26 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge †
06/27 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick †
06/28 Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop †
06/29 Toronto, ON – The Mod Club †
06/30 Montreal, QC – La Sala Rossa †
07/01 New York, NY – Stuytown Oval Concert Series
07/02 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall Of Williamsburg
07/03 Allston, MA – Harpers Ferry †
07/04 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brendas †
07/05 Washington, DC – Black Cat †
07/07 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel †
07/08 Knoxville, TN – Pilot Light †
07/09 Nashville, TN – The End †
07/10 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone Cafe †
07/11 Oxford, MS – Proud Larrys †
* = w/ The Oh Sees
^ = w/ Make Out Party, Digital Leather
† = w/ TV Smith of The Adverts
Photo by Andy Eisberg.
Norwegian DJ/producer Prins Thomas’ 2007 Cosmo Galactic Prism mix exhibited his voluminous idea of what cosmic-disco entails: space rockers Hawkwind, jazzman Bob James, avant-disco producer The Mole, and country-funk combo Area Code 615. For Live at Robert Johnson, Vol. 2, Thomas hews closer to disco conventions—whether they be loved-up, libidinous, or suspenseful. Of the former mode, the Balearic blissfulness of Low Motion Disco’s “Love Love Love (Still Going Remix)” and “Gallery Oslo” by Kåre & The Cavemen stand out; among the latter, Cage & Aviary’s “Giorgio Carpenter” conjures those composers’ dark atmospheres. While the mix suffers from several surprisingly inelegant transitions, the strength and diversity of Prins’ selections overcome his technical flaws. Hail the Oslo-motion disco king.
