Author Archives: Ash El Gamal

[Electronic] Rustie – EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE (Album)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - November 5, 2015

’Rustie – Peace Upzzz’

Soundcloud

’Rustie – First Mythz’

Soundcloud

Scottish producer Rustie has been sneakily flooding Soundcloud with manic, mind-blowing productions for the last few months including one he apparently made in the hospital. Yesterday, he casually announced his latest album EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE along with the release of “Peace Upzzz,” which is track 6 from the project. As promised, Rustie’s latest album dropped this morning and it’s a monster. With 15 tracks, it’s some of Rustie’s most ambitious and bombastic work to date drawing clear influence from Glasgow’s electronic scene referencing Happy Hardcore in some of its aesthetics while maintaining a grandiose, trap-influenced sound. You may notice a few tracks on the album are appended (feat. Rustie) signifying that Rustie contributed either guitar or vocals along with production. Check out a couple of the tracks from EVENIFUDONTBELIEVE above and grab a copy here.

Electronic

[Electronic] Branchez – Cuenta

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 27, 2015

Branchez
Cuenta

Download

It’s been a while since we’ve heard new material from Branchez, but the NYC-based producer still finds himself in regular rotation with anthemic remixes and inventive originals. Last night, he dropped off a freebie proving once again what sets him apart. “Cuenta” starts off with a video game-esque sample backed by insanely quick hi-hats cultivating a playful soundscape. The percussion constantly evolves making for a mind-altering experience in which you’ll notice a new complexity with every listen. Give this one a spin above and make sure to catch Branchez at one of his upcoming tour dates.

[Festival Review] Moments & Songs from Treasure Island 2015–SF, 10/17-18

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 27, 2015

It’s particularly sad to say goodbye to Treasure Island Music Festival. Not only does TI mark the end of the summer festival season, but it’s also a true breathe of fresh air from the oft-overwhelming mega events that have come to dominate the space. With relief from the typical pains of festivals –trouble meeting friends, overcrowded stages, set conflicts and the list goes on–we always walk out of TI refreshed and this year was no exception. Overlooking the San Francisco skyline, Treasure Island’s serenity never fails to amaze us and it didn’t hurt that the weather was pretty much perfect all weekend.

The clear-split lineup that highlighted electronic/hip-hop on Saturday and alternative rock/pop on Sunday gave each day a vibe all its own. Take a trip back with photos and songs from the two different, but equally enjoyable, days.

All photos by Dominic Powell unless otherwise stated.

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Event

Mar – I Could Care Less [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 22, 2015

Mar
I Could Care Less

Soundcloud

Dutch producer and vocalist Mar possesses a voice that recalls R&B’s greats–a talent he’s used to push genre boundaries forward into uncharted electronic territory. Whether he’s cultivating futuristic bedroom anthems or irresistible dance-floor grooves, Mar always injects a distinct amount of feeling into his tunes that’s made him a favorite on TMN. He’s got an EP due out next month and, today, we’ve got the premiere of the final single before its release.

“I Could Care Less” marks yet another sound exploration for Mar, which takes us back in time. After an airy electric guitar-powered intro, the backdrop quickly develops into a late-80s/early-90s throwback vibe with the help of a deep bass-line and atmospheric keys. Fittingly, Mar’s vocals feel like they could be straight out of R&B’s golden era making for an encompassing, retro-fitted jam.

When We Meet, his upcoming EP, will feature co-production from Sebastian Carter and Beau Damian, the latter of which pitched in on this anthemic track. Based on the singles thus far alone, the project promises to be a dynamic listening experience unlike any other. In the meantime, hit play above and take a trip back to the Michael Jackson era.

Niteppl – Whispers [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 20, 2015

Niteppl
Whispers

Soundcloud

A few months back we premiered Niteppl‘s “Shadows”, a dark, electro-pop jam off their sophomore album Nu Flesh. The San Francisco duo dropped the project shortly after and it felt like the perfect elaboration on that sound keeping things hazy, yet synth-filled and addicting, with an embedded narrative through out. “Whispers,” the follow-up single, has been making its rounds among tastemakers and radio stations in the Bay Area and we’re excited to have the premiere of its official video–the first ever visuals from Niteppl.

Matching the 80s-coated vibe of the project, the video begins in a 1982 San Francisco motel with its protagonists, a couple in the midst of a forlorn love affair. As the song’s potency emerges so does the emotional intensity and storyline of the video with a slew of cocaine-and-romance induced ups and downs. Director Eugene S.B. does a fantastic job of building the narrative and maintaining a consistent aesthetic through out as the couple try to escape the grip of what appears to be either a pimp or ex-lover. It’s a great accompaniment to what’s become a breakout song for Niteppl adding a new depth that, in many ways, changes the way we hear the track.

[Pop] MØ – Kamikaze (prod. Diplo)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 15, 2015

_MØ_
Kamikaze

Soundcloud

With the success of “Lean On,” Danish vocalist MØ is well on her way to stardom, and rightfully so–she glides over electronic soundscapes with a grace and character matched by few of her contemporaries. If you’re not familiar with the rest of her catalogue, we’d highly recommend giving her album No Mythologies To Follow a listen. Yesterday, Annie Mac premiered MØ’s latest Diplo-produced single, which serves as a fitting progression in their ongoing series of collaborations. “Kamikaze,” similar to “Lean On,” features a markedly downtempo backdrop with an understated catchiness designed to grow with every listen. Once again, MØ proves she knows exactly how to bring out the best in Diplo’s production and that not every pop song has to be obnoxiously formulaic. Here’s what she had to say about working with Diplo:

I love working with Diplo. It’s always such a fun and open-minded creative process. It’s about making memorable songs but, more than that, it’s about making pop music that wants to push boundaries. I’ve been loving all kinds of pop since I first fell in love with the Spice Girls, but pop needs to bring something new to the table, it needs balls. And that’s what you get working with Diplo. Making Lean On and being a part of that tornado these past eight months has been one of the greatest experiences in my life so far, and I’m super happy that “Kamikaze” is made in a collaboration with the same group of my friends.

Here’s to hoping the stream of MØ and Diplo collabs continue!

Electronic

[Groove] Sofi Tukker – Drinkee (The Knocks Remix)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 14, 2015

SOFI TUKKER
Drinkee (The Knocks Remix)

Soundcloud

The Knocks have easily been one of the most prolific acts in dance music over the last couple years–putting out an amazing EP in So Classic, touring constantly and keeping fans engaged with a steady stream of infectious remixes. As 2016 approaches, they don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Their debut album is on the way while their record label, HeavyRoc Music, has been chugging out jams perfectly in line with The Knocks’ diverse sound.

New York-based duo Sofi Tukker are their latest signees releasing the first single from their upcoming debut EP, “Drinkee,” a couple weeks ago. With organic backing percussion, a deep guitar/bass-driven groove and catchy vocals, it’s an endlessly addicting tune and, unsurprisingly, the perfect canvas for a remix from The Knocks. Rather than change the vibe of the song, The Knocks choose to accentuate and extend the original’s danciest grooves with fantastic results. Get lost in this one above.