Author Archives: Matthew Bloss

[Chill] Coyote Kisses – Sunny Day

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 4, 2015

coyote kisses
sunny day

After their last single “Revive”, which made an appearance in the 116th edition of our excellent weekly playlist The Chill Dojo, L.A.’s Coyote Kisses again touch down on the hallowed grounds of TMN with a brand new original “Sunny Day”. This one comes just before festival season kicks off, speaking wonderfully to that vibrant energy which tends to accompany such a time of the year. Coyote Kisses deftly fold an effervescent, arpeggiated synth progression in with crisp, rolling drums and fractured hi-hats, creating their own taste of impending warm weather through the scope of composed instrumentation. We think they summed it up much better than us however, stating: “We dragged all our equipment onto a dock in Florida and channeled the energy of the passing pelicans and seagulls. Somewhere along the line, seagulls turned into skittle-shooting automatic lasers. We hope it brings people some sunshine.” Well for the staff in Denver under the current blizzard cloud, we thank you for the musical glow. Grab a free download of “Sunny Day” here.

[Synth-Pop/Indie-Dance] Karl Kling – Careful

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 3, 2015

Karl Kling
Careful

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Currently stationed in the Northwestern paradise that is Portland, OR; heavy RAC collaborator and former member (before RAC dropped to just André Allen Anjos), Karl Kling has been paying careful attention (get it?) to his impressive solo project more and more as of late. And good thing too, because Kling’s latest single “Careful” would just have felt a bit out of place under the RAC banner. “Careful” taps into Karl Kling’s indie-rock influences more than his dance-poppy body of work would indicate, while also featuring the man himself laying down every breathy inch of vocal expanse along the way. These elements while simple on paper, are wound beautifully, resulting in a sticky sweet tune that will loop in your subconscious from the moment it plays. “Careful” is the second track from an upcoming debut LP out later this spring on March 3rd via Ghost Beach’s Crazy Heart Records, which we’ll be consuming the moment it drops. Hear “Careful” above.

[Electronic] Chelsea Lankes – Down For Whatever (Carousel Remix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 3, 2015

Chelsea Lankes
Down For Whatever (Carousel Remix)

Soundcloud

L.A. via Texas pop vocalist Chelsea Lankes has most recently been permeating radio and blog waves with her latest single “Down For Whatever”. While the original is your proto-typical pop sound of modern day youth and the eager desire to live in the moment, another pair of L.A. inhabitants, and a duo whom has grown near and dear to our hearts over the years, Carousel, injects new life within Lankes’ original. Rather than follow an airy synth-pop blueprint as one might have expected from the former Berklee students, Carousel walks “Down For Whatever” into a two-step drum pattern and weighty synths, dipping into deeper, late night harkening instrumentation. We love seeing this more aphotic side of Jackson Philips and Kevin Friedman’s constantly evolving project, and here’s to hoping we get some more of that brooding take on pop from their machine filled studio in the near future. Stream Carousel’s “Down For Whatever” remix above.

[Electro-Soul/Synth-Pop] Coleman Hell – 2 Heads

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 2, 2015

Coleman Hell
2 Heads

Soundcloud

Back in early December we featured the stellar debut EP, VENA, from Toronto based Coleman Hell, which if you read our review, we were gushing over. Today, the versatile producer has returned with a new single “2 Heads”, and has introduced yet another alternate glimpse into an impressive production psyche. “2 Heads” most notably takes its cues from a twangy, reverb steeped banjo line, which rests itself nicely on top of Coleman Hell’s smooth vocal track and an airy, melodious synth-pop backdrop. “2 Heads” is the first track we’ve had the pleasure of hearing in advance of a debut LP, Srry Bout Last Nite, so we’ll be tuned in as Coleman Hell’s latest album develops. Until then, get your Coleman Hell fix above.

[House] Julio Bashmore – Kong ft. Bixby

Posted by Matthew Bloss - February 2, 2015

juliobashmoremusic
Kong feat. Bixby

Soundcloud

There are probably only around a handful of other club producers whom carry with them the same air and aura of production versatility as Bristol dance producer extraordinaire Julio Bashmore. First rising to prominence in the U.K. back in 2009 behind an admirable, foundation laying EP debut on Claude Von Stroke’s illustrious Dirtybird imprint; and bursting into worldwide consciousness with “Battle For Middle You” along with production credits on one of Jessie Ware’s first singles “110%”, Bashmore has become a tastemaking crossover staple between the worlds of underground dance music and mainstream chart hits. The Bristolian’s latest single, and another taste from a February slated LP release after the succulently groovy “Rhythm of Auld”, “Kong”, sees a pairing with London-based crooner Bixby who deftly paints the tune with a welcome smattering of soulful inflections over untethered synth chords, a glowing marimba sample and shuffling cymbals, resulting in yet another glowing ray of house. We’re hoping to see a complete Long Player from JB very soon, but we’ll have to settle for single bites until more information is set in stone. Stream “Kong” above.

[Synth-Pop] Phoebe Ryan – Mine

Posted by Matthew Bloss - January 29, 2015

Phoebe Ryan
Mine

Soundcloud

Former songwriter turned indie-pop darling Phoebe Ryan burst onto many a critic’s radar with a blog-chart smashing, celestially delicate vocal mashup of R. Kelly’s “Ignition” with Miguel’s “Do You”. Luckily for us, the L.A. via New Jersey solo-crooner returns with a debut original recording, “Mine”. “Mine” plays like a buoyant parcel of vocal driven indie-pop, backed by a warm expanse of synth chords and a captivating hook; resulting in a tune we can envision soundtracking long night drives, blissful dance floors and heavy makeout sessions. As Phoebe Ryan continues to fine tune an already mature pop sound, we’ll continue to dive headfirst into the rising artist’s catalog. Stream “Mine” above.

[House] Maxxi Soundsystem – Lone Raver ft. Name One

Posted by Matthew Bloss - January 28, 2015

Maxxi Soundsystem
Lone Raver

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The Brighton stationed solo house project of Sam Watts, Maxxi Soundsystem, has functioned as a go-to tastemaking act within the club and underground sectors of our beloved house genre for years. With raucous and engaging DJ sets receiving worldwide acclaim from some of house’s best while ticking an impressive list of club and festival appearances that continues to grow by the week, coupled with releases on some of the biggest genre pushing dance labels in the world including Nurvous, Defected, Needwant and Black Butter; Maxxi Soundsystem’s gruff yet emotive dance floor artillery has been winning over droves of astute dance aficionados with the kind of relative ease which producers clamor for. His latest EP Medicine, a Single A-Side/Double B-Side release in its totality, marks the house bender’s return to another illustrious imprint, Culprit Recordings, and its closing tune “Lone Raver” checks just about every box on our proper house checklist. A swelling and swinging bassline, soulful vocals, punching kicks, and just an insanely tasteful melody all coalesce like PB&J, and go down just as smoothly. Featuring the re-ignition of one of Watts’ longtime vocal collaborators, Name One, “Lone Raver” rides a capricious tone in the form of a serene and welcome sea of dance instrumentation. We simply can’t shake this one today, and hopefully it warrants a couple of rinses for our house-heads. Maxxi Soundsystem’s Medicine EP sees official release on February 2, so get a leg up on your friends and stream “Lone Raver” above.