Author Archives: Hank

[R&B & Soul] Driftwood. – Medusa (ft. Aurora Rose)

Posted by Hank - May 31, 2017

Driftwood. ft. Aurora Rose
Medusa

The best hooks take a big idea and mold it down to the simplest form. They can carry specific emotion or instantly inspire you. And the greatest often get a universal reaction. I was thinking about that the other night while playing some music and this song “Medusa” came up. The line, “frequencies between you an me are exchanging” just stuck out and got me thinking. The artist is Driftwood and I recommend checking out the project for yourself. Chill hip-hop and minimalist influences go perfectly with the songwriting and Aurora Rose’s vocal feature. There’s also a music video that fits well, the concept is simple and mysterious but effective. Driftwood is just getting started but this new single is quality and I’m looking forward to hearing what’s next.

[Music Video] HUKO – Bind (feat. Cozy)

Posted by Hank - May 26, 2017

It’s rare that I find a a music video that truly catches my curiosity. However, HUKO recently released a peculiar visual project for their recent house hit in Europe, “Blind” ft. Cozy that promises to pull your interest. The video, directed by Greg Kozo features a man with an egg-shaped head roaming around a luxurious modern house filled with beautiful people. Panoramic shots, humorous scenes, riveting romance, and an unexpected ending make this video stand out from the rest. Standing in support of the track’s feel-good synths and catchy vocal hook, this piece does an excellent job of ushering in summer’s uplifting energy. Check out the video here and enjoy!

[Electronic] Astrocolor – Push Too Hard (feat. Fox Glove)

Posted by Hank - April 25, 2017

Astrocolor
Push Too Hard (feat. Fox Glove)

Soundcloud

The best music often comes with an elusive sound. A new release by the Canadian band Astrocolor bends rock, soul, electronic and so many other genres into something wonderful. An emotional vocal performance from Fox Glove brings an Erykah Badu influence while the instrumental jams and analogue synth have elements of Tycho or Boards of Canada. They’re still relatively underground and building up their online presence but Astrocolor’s fresh modern sound points to big things down the line. “Push Too Hard” is the lead single on a new 7-track album. It’s a solid listen from start to finish so be sure to head over and check out the full album if you like it.

[Electronic] Awoltalk & Reach – Red Handed (feat. NKOLO)

Posted by Hank - April 2, 2017

Awoltalk & Reach
Red Handed (feat. NKOLO)

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Some songs can hook you right from the start whether it be through intriguing instrumentation or enticing vocals. On Awoltalk & Reach‘s “Redhanded,” that feeling is induced as soon as the dreamy pads drop in. The duo’s collab comes as a nice surprise and a melodic vocal by NKOLO similarly keeps things fresh from the start. It’s a solid blend of trap, pop and progressive sounds all brought together with a lush production style. So listen up and stream “Redhanded.” We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from these artists.

[Electronic] NOTNO – Live

Posted by Hank - March 13, 2017

NOTNO
Live

Soundcloud

New York City’s rising electronic act, NOTNO, has been cultivating some stellar sound design in recent months. I first caught wind of the duo when their uplifting tune “Take It Back” dropped around three months ago. Since then the energetic yet ambient style these two have mastered has been making multiple appearances in my kick back playlists.

Their most recent release, “Live,” builds on this juxtaposition between upbeat and downtempo approaches. The track opens by establishing a huge, spacey atmosphere that soon strongly driven by groovy basslines, high flying synths, and progressive percussion. To top it all off, echoing vocals accent the track’s otherworldly energy with a vocal hook that promises to stick in your head. Check out the tune here, and if you’re into it, give their other recent release, “Gold,” a listen.

Electronic

[Drum & Bass] WRLD – Everything (ft. Ashdown)

Posted by Hank - February 28, 2017

WRLD
WRLD // Everything (ft. Ashdown)

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Drum & Bass is one genre my ears can never get enough of. For that reason, I’m always ecstatic to see prominent players in the electronic music scene tackling tunes in this realm. One musician who frequently dabbles in the style in between foray’s into future bass and ambient sounds is the Dutch producer WRLD. His most recent endeavor, “Everything” combines the genre’s staple breakbeat with influences from bass music to create an infectious, futuristic dance tune. If you’re trying to get down to this one in person, definitely catch WRLD on his current US tour. Enjoy “Everything” above.

[Ambient] dream beach – the kiss of the century (ft. cub)

Posted by Hank - February 21, 2017

dream beach
the kiss of the century ft cub

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Andy Oliver, AKA d ream beach, has long been among my favorite forces in the ambient electronic scene. The watery, bell driven soundscapes he consistently crafts never fail to send me packing to extended vacations into my imagination. Thankfully, Oliver’s most recent endeavor, “the kiss of the century,” only expands on the otherworldly atmosphere that he has cultivated throughout his previous work.

The tune features fanciful singing from Detroit’s mystical vocalist CUB, and builds on it marvelously with swelling synths and hypnotic syncopation. In regard to his experience putting together this auditory imagery, Oliver told us:

“TKOTC I made mostly in total delirium. I can see myself fighting rest, barely even there, teary eyed. My favorite ideas come to me very late at night right before I’m about to fall asleep. To me the instrumental acts as audible hallucinations during what felt like temporary insanity.”