Author Archives: Sara Natkins

[Indie Pop] Ryn Weaver – The Fool

Posted by Sara Natkins - April 23, 2015

Ryn Weaver
The Fool

If your ears haven’t come across Ryn Weaver’s latest release off of her forthcoming 11-track album, The Fool, then it’s time for you all to listen up. Only two weeks ago, Weaver exposed the album’s title track, “The Fool,” which truly introduces listeners to Ryn’s abilities as a vocalist.

Deviating far away from her sound in “OctaHate,” Weaver invites you into her mind, letting all guards down, allowing you to get intimate with her doubts and imperfections when it comes to relationships. The lyrics are centered around the idea that she is more prone to messing up a relationship while she is deeply conflicted with the desire to make it last.

Paralleled with the idea that a lover doesn’t know what he’s signing up for when getting involved with her, Ryn throws listeners off by entering the song with unheard of deep vocals that have “independent woman” written all over them. But naturally, she throws another curve ball during the chorus when she suddenly shifts the deep pitch to one that reaches incredible heights.

With Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos and the brilliant Benny Blanco as co-producers, “The Fool” is nothing short of stunning. If you’re as excited about Weaver’s album release as we are, make sure to jump on the pre-order!

[Future House] Bebe Rexha – I Can’t Stop Drinking About You (Loud Luxury Remix)

Posted by Sara Natkins - April 22, 2015

Loud Luxury
Drinking About You (Loud Luxury Remix)

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We’ve all been through heartbreak before. It’s a sensation so much deeper than any other that swallows us up in a dark pit of misery. Though usually only temporary, it still remains one of the most feared experiences, as we succumb to our sadness and allow it to take over our lives. To cope with it, we desperately seek comfort in almost anything. What is one of those common ways? Drinking of course. Drinking to become numb to that ungodly pain. Another common method is listening to songs about break ups or missing someone while bawling our eyes out, punching walls, or shoving pints of Ben & Jerry’s down our throats.

Bebe Rexha’s broken-hearted tune, “I Can’t Stop Drinking About You,” incorporates the idea of drinking to forget into a song written about attempts to move on from a failed romance, but only finding that moving on is nearly impossible. But as relatable as this song is, sometimes bleak lyrics are not the best method for coping with heartbreak. Instead, joyful and poppy music may serve as a better way to pick ourselves up. That’s where Loud Luxury steps in. They transform the melancholy track into one that listeners will inevitably find themselves dancing to. The original vocals lose their feminine quality and take on a deeper, but less dramatic tone, which allows us to listen to it without feeling so emotional. Though the pained lyrics remain intact, the pain is masked by a fuego beat that invigorates you in such a way that you’ll forget about that old lover and move onto the next person you see on the dance floor.

[Future] The M Machine – Don’t Speak (Manila Killa Remix)

Posted by Sara Natkins - April 15, 2015

The M Machine
Don't Speak (Manila Killa Remix)

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Only a few months ago, The M Machine released their Just Like EP, which contains some ridiculously intense tracks. One of the five tracks on the EP, “Don’t Speak,” recently got the remix treatment. The artist? None other than Manila Killa. If you’re a little thrown off guard by this, you aren’t the only one. Considering the huge contrast between both of their typical sounds, we were more than eager to check it out.

The result was a pleasant shock to our ears, and we knew we had to share it with all of you. Within the first twenty seconds, listeners are introduced to a sweet melody that fits the tune so well, that it’s easy to mistake the remix for the original. Soon after, this melody is joined by a beat that you’ll unquestionably find yourself tapping your foot to. Manila then switches it up with a section that resembles the dirty style of The M Machine.

The remix exercises Manila Killa’s skills by merging his signature, laid-back production with the hard, dark sounds of the M Machine, and demonstrates his versatility as an artist. As a result of his dope abilities, he generates one hell of an irresistible track.

[Chill] Jamie xx – Loud Places Feat. Romy (Eekkoo Edit)

Posted by Sara Natkins - April 15, 2015

Jamie xx
Loud Places (feat. Romy) [Eekkoo Edit]

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If you haven’t already checked out Jammie xx’s latest release, “Loud Places,” featuring the vocals of the xx’s Romy Craft, you may want to hop on that. The original production, both exquisite and mysterious, embodies such a profoundness that it’s pretty questionable as to why anyone would want to remix it. But that is before you listen to Eekkoo’s edit. He makes sure not to damage any of the song’s existing beauty by working around the melody and craftsmanship, only by adding in a subtle beat that continues throughout the entire duration of the track. The product is a club-compatible version with a hint of a techno feel that you’ll put on repeat for days.

[Future] Tinashe – All Hands On Deck (Remixes)

Posted by Sara Natkins - April 15, 2015

You know those tracks that are just so good, you never want them to end, so you put them on replay? The ones that bring life to your ears? It’s thanks to those tracks that we started writing about music in the first place.

Now is probably a good time to put the spotlight on two stand-out artists, Giraffage and PACES. Both put their own spin on Tinashe’s heated tune, “All Hands On Deck,” creating two unique sounds, one just as highly addictive as the other.

Starting off with Giraffage’s, he takes a bit of an edgier, darker approach to his remix. The result is a combination of deep house and future that does away with the original’s hip-hop feel, and provides a brand new ambience that’s a bit more sophisticated.

PACES, on the other hand, puts a much more playful spin on the sultry original and transforms the not-so innocent track into one that radiates youthful innocence. The thick texture, comprised of glittery synths, heightened pitches, and feel-good vibes, makes it nearly impossible for this remix to lose your attention.

But whether you feel like getting down and dirty, or doing cartwheels on the beach, both of these remixes will undoubtedly fit your mood.

’Tinashe – All Hands On Deck (Giraffage remix)’

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’Tinashe – All Hands On Deck (PACES Remix)’

Soundcloud

[Future Feels] Free N Losh – I Love You So

Posted by Sara Natkins - March 27, 2015

Free n Losh
I Love You So

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Something that you really have to commend songwriters and producers for is creativity. Yeah anyone can get creative, but with an infinite amount of music out there, the struggle for new ideas can get pretty real. That’s where sampling comes in. As a technique that’s been around for a while now, producers have figured out numerous ways to get innovative with it. Not only do they create a new melody by putting together a few clips of music, but they now also have the ability to manipulate an original segment of a song, and turn it into something completely unfamiliar and novel.

Now let’s talk about the beautiful new release from Canadian duo Free N Losh, “I Love You So.” Taking their musical talent to uncharted territory, the boys masterfully sample the chorus from Candyman’s “Knockin Boots”, which was later sung by Samantha Cole on Shaggy‘s 2k hit, “Luv Me, Luv Me.” What was once an old school hip-hop jam and later a pop hit is now a euphoric feels-inciting tune that will alleviate a long day’s stress.

Placing the softened vocals over some original mellow production, the track becomes a musical oasis of ethereal sounds that give off a feeling of tenderness creating a romantic vibe. So, looking to unwind or get cozy with your boo? Peep this track and then make sure to snag the free download.

Pegboard Nerds Talk Monstercat, Collaborations, and Paul McCartney [TMN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

Posted by Sara Natkins - March 26, 2015

Recently, TMN was granted the privilege to talk to the whimsical personalities of Alexander Odden and Michael Parsberg, the dynamic duo behind Pegboard Nerds. Before kicking off two major releases with Monstercat–Bring The Madness: The Remixes EP and their feature on Monstercat’s 021 Perspective Compilation–we had a chance to sit down with them in NYC’s Webster Hall right before they threw down a massive set.

Excision & Pegboard Nerds
Bring The Madness (Ft. Mayor Apeshit)

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TMN: How’s it feel to be playing at Webster Hall in NYC? This is your second time back right?

Alex: Being back at Webster Hall feels fuckin’ awesome. It’s kinda intimidating too you know because it’s such a stable trademark of New York so you gotta be on point and deliver.

Michael: Same.

Alex: (Laughs) You can’t say same!

TMN: Best response yet. How did you guys first get involved with Monstercat and how do you feel about the future of the label?

Michael: Well it started back in 2012, early, early twelve. A friend from Australia actually pitched one of our songs to Monstercat because they were needing a track for one of their compilations and it kinda just went on from there. They wanted one more track, one more track, one more track, and it went on, went on, went on and all the way up. Yeah, so that’s how we started.

Then you asked about the future of the label, right? It’s difficult to predict, but I think they have a good track record and a good following, and the philosophy of the label is really good. They’re not focusing on doing the next big Hardwell, Axwell, Made-well, Big-well, Aoki-well, Sleep-well, whatever. They just wanna do great new talent.

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