Author Archives: Clayton Warwick

[House] Qrion – GAF 1 EP

Posted by Clayton Warwick - December 10, 2024

In a sea of releases that sound like they came from the same project file on Ableton, GAF 1 differentiates itself quickly.

Coming your way via Japanese-born Qrion, this dynamic duo of tracks is unique, refreshing, and ready to take you through your work week and into the weekend. “QAF” leads the way, sporting quirky synths that playfully line up against rapid-fire hi-hats and thumping kicks. A well-crafted vocal chop brings in late-90s RnB flavor, making this a wonderfully curious listen.

“23” boasts a gorgeous compilation of sampling, utilizing vocal hums and portions of lyrics as synths. Those ethereal notes pair perfectly with a steady beat and deep house vibe, offering quite the opposing experience from its counterpart. Both work in tandem, though, showcasing the breadth of abilities this quickly-rising producer is capable of.

We try to act like we don’t care about things but in reality we really do, sometimes without even
realizing it. As I started to notice this about other people, I learned that I also give a fuck. That’s
where the inspiration for this project comes from – Qrion

’GAF’

Download

’23’

Download

Electronic

LA Gives Back 3 – A Holiday Benefit

Posted by Clayton Warwick - December 10, 2024

This Wednesday, eight of LA’s most influential music curators are coming together to provide five rooms of music at Catch One (formerly Union Nightclub). With a combination of Brownies & Lemonade, Emo Nite, Ninja Tune, Adult Swim, Ham On Everything, Mad Decent, Late Night Laggers and Restless Nites, it’s a garauntee that it’s going to be one hell of a night.

While we can’t share the lineup with you, we can share the fact that this event has 100% of the profits going to benefit Downtown Women’s Center and My Friend’s Place, both of which provide services for homeless in the Los Angeles area.

LA GIVES BACK 3 ON 12.19 AT CATCH ONE (FORMERLY UNION NIGHTCLUB) – A SPECIAL HOLIDAY BENEFIT EVENT FOR THE LOS ANGELES HOMELESS

LINE UP TO BE ANNOUNCED + WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY

EIGHT OF LA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSIC CURATORS PROGRAM 5 ROOMS OF MUSIC: BROWNIES & LEMONADE, EMO NITE, NINJA TUNE, ADULT SWIM, HAM ON EVERYTHING, MAD DECENT, LATE NIGHT LAGGERS AND RESTLESS NITES

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Fractures Reset [EP Review]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - December 10, 2024

A Fan Boy Moment: Astronoid

Posted by Clayton Warwick - December 10, 2024

When I do find the time to write, I typically focus on new releases. Seeing as how music blogging has come fourth to a full-time career, being a dad, and trying to have a 30 minutes of silence once in a while, hunting and posting new tunes has fallen by the wayside.

That said, I discovered Astronoid a few months back. To be perfectly honest with you, I can’t stop listening to them.

If you’ve spent any time on this site, you’d know that we don’t really don’t cover anything heavier than crunchy riffs on an Americana track. This contradicts a large portion of my personal tastes, as I’m an avid fan for the heavy stuff–speed metal, metalcore, post-metal, post-punk, etc. Seeing as how Astronoid is the perfect blend of both dreamy, hazy vocals, long builds, and brutally fast and technically sound instrumentation, I figured today would be the day to bring some head banging to TMN.

If you’re the type that says “I can’t stand the screaming in metal. No matter how talented the band is, I just can’t get past it,” then today is your day. Think of Jonas Bjerre from Mew. Ah, those dreamy, all-encompassing vocals. Now pair that thought with the speed and oft-brutal double kicks, insane shredding, and brutal breakdowns you’d find in a metal track. You with me? That’s what you’ll find with Astronoid. Two worlds, perfectly mashed together.

Comprised of

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Covex – To Be Alone

Posted by Clayton Warwick - December 10, 2024

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The Knocks – R U HIGH (ft. Mallrat) [SUNDRESS Remix]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 28, 2021

If you’ve been paying any attention, you’ve likely noticed that I haven’t posted anything in well over a year. In fact, very few people have posted on TMN recently. We won’t get into reason why, as today we’re focusing on why we, or rather I am back with another post.

Call it serendipitous. Call it kismet. Whatever you label it with, it’s a strange and rather comical reason why I’m here, writing up a song. It all started four nights ago, as I was watching the Nuggets’ playoff game, enjoying a cocktail, and scrolling through NBA twitter. In a moment of jubilation, celebrating the Nuggs somehow stopping Dame Lillard from sinking an endless amount of threes, I tweeted something snarky. That snark (seen below) was followed up by a brutal ratio from a guy named Jack–a Trailblazer fan and one half of the Portland-based SUNDRESS.

After a bit of playful Twitter sparring, we both followed each other, and came to find out that he had read TMN in high school. And, that I was a big fan of what Jack and Khal were making.

So, that’s why we’re here today, taking a peek at their latest release, a remix of long-time TMN favorite The Knocks‘ latest tune, “R U High?” Loaded with vibes for days, this flip of what was originally a moodier piece is reimagined as more of a warm weather take. Driven by well-sampled vocal cuts, and a fresh lead synth that walks the line of feeling trop, without going overboard, this stellar remix is primed for this weekend’s Memorial Day pool party.

This is SUNDRESS’ third release, but more are on the way soon. I recommend following them across your favorite social channels and staying tuned in. I’ve had the pleasure of previewing it, and they’re pretty damn fantastic.

I guess the only thing I have left to say to these two is Go Nuggets. See you on Twitter for the rest of the series.

SUNDRESS · The Knocks – R U HIGH (ft. Mallrat) [SUNDRESS Remix]

[Alternative] Ted When – Edge Off

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 19, 2020

I’m no stranger to Ted When. During his frontman days with Mansions on the Moon, and still to this day, a handful of their tracks are in my ‘favorites’ playlist and in regular rotation. His voice is immediately calming, each and every time it comes on, and nothing has changed with the debut of his solo act.

“Edge Off” is the first release from this Nashville-based artist, and it slowly wanders in across the first minute with layered, treated, ethereal vocals and lax percussion. The buzzing, deep synth helps drive it along, providing a unique juxtaposition between its sharpness and Ted’s high-pitched notes.

Lyrically, it’s remarkably relevant during the current global landscape. Though, thanks to Ted, we now have a new tune to accompany our imbibing to take the edge off. And, I’ll cheers to that.