Latest Electronica Posts

Saturday Selection Vol. 5

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - May 7, 2016

Hopefully you weren’t living under a rock this week, because it was a new music Friday for the books. We were lucky to get some HUGE albums, plentiful surprises, and a collection of music that continues to make the case for 2016 being a great year when it comes to quality releases. Even with all of these stellar projects, there’s plenty of gems to be found, and we’ve got some wonderful tunes primed and ready for you today. Enjoy!

Jai Wolf – Drive (feat. Chain Gang of 1974)

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Jai Wolf has come a long way since No Pets Allowed, and watching his rapid ascent to success has been quite the trip to say the least. Since his recent foray into original material with Indian Summer, he’s shifted to creating songs that make you feel like you could just jump and fly away whenever you want. “Drive” is his wonderful second original offering and it exists as a dreamy counterpart to Indian Summer, stacked from top to bottom with breathtaking production and effervescent vocals from The Chain Gang of 1974. In short, it’s miraculous. The Foreign Family Collective continues its winning streak with “Drive,” and we’re all better off because of it.

Slow Shudder – Call You Back

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A timely repost on SoundCloud can be an awesome thing, and, thanks to AObeats, we were given the opportunity to hear the debut tune from London’s own Slow Shudder. She’s already on to something with “Call You Back.” She effortlessly delivers each verse with her lofty and light voice before the tune quickly turns to a combination of club kick patterns, fluttering synths, and chirpy vocal chops that exhibits a level hand and production standard of more established artists before her. “Call You Back” is a strong statement to start with, and now we’re certainly ready to hear more from Slow Shudder.

Annabel Jones – Happy

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You know good pop when you hear it. It isn’t hard to decipher. However, Annabel Jones makes something better than just good pop music. “Happy” proves it. Something about her delivery and soothing voice meshes well with any and all production, even the unpredictable instrumentation of this newest tune. Juggling angelic synths and almost PC Music-esque elements, “Happy” manages to completely change course multiple times in only four minutes, but the cohesiveness is maintained throughout. When it comes to following up a huge hit like IOU, it can be a difficult time, but Annabel Jones didn’t have any trouble at all creating a sweet new single for all of us to enjoy. Grab her debut EP on iTunes here!

Thalab – Wreck

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Everything about this Thalab song is gorgeous. This is the sort of crazy and beautiful result you get when you smash together the best of electronica, alternative, folk, and even a little soul. The sound design is second to none, and the spacious atmosphere created manages to also stay grounded because of the tactful use of acoustic guitar juxtaposed with careening and lush synths. We’ll be the first to admit we aren’t entirely familiar with many producers from Spain, but these Barcelona natives have managed to pique our curiosity into expanding our exploration into a more international approach. End your day on the perfect note with this one.

Commandeur – Wasted (Ardency Remix)

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We love Ardency. They’ve pulled together a reputable collection of remixes and a handful of originals, and their latest project stems from the former. Fun Fact: Commandeur is the side project of the drummer from the great Australian band Panama, and this duo snagged a chance to give their own spin on his tune “Wasted.” There’s a classic, almost revamped 80’s edge to Ardency’s production that makes for an emotional rollercoaster on certain occasions, and this is absolutely one of times. It’s hard to deny the power of an electronic pop tune like this, and Ardency prides themselves on demonstrating their abilities in reshaping an older sound into something fresh and new. Do yourself a favor and snag the free download their remix here.

[TMN Premiere] PACES – Work Me Out (Moonbase Commander Remix)

Posted by Matthew Bloss - April 28, 2016

Paces
Work Me Out [ft. Rye Rye] (Moonbase Commander Remix)

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Sydney based, genre-skirting producer Moonbase Commander seemingly bubbled up out of the ether with a clearly defined and polished sound on his collab with Cakes Da Killa for their 2015 single “Serve it Up”, which received quite the reputable slate of critical support when it first made the rounds. In the time since, the Australian artist’s been continuously honing that sound, with the recent release of the Southpaw EP on October Records, which only seemed to elevate the collective appetites of his listeners. So, when the Commander’s latest tune floated our way in the form of a remix for fellow TMN regulars PACES and their Rye Rye featuring single “Work Me Out”, we were like giddy cheerleaders before a pep rally.

On his latest record, Moonbase Commander trots out a hypnotically knocking kick-drum, fueled by alchemistic pads, before delving into a heap of two-step drum patterning which holds up Rye Rye’s flitty cypher as if it were resting on a bed of anthracite storm clouds. MBC’s bass-first soundscape toys with stadium-trap sized bass swells, gigantic drums and loopy synths; all pulled off with the confident swagger of an underground beatsmith and grace of an established veteran. Quite appetizing stuff really. Moonbase Commander’s remix comes as part of etcetc music‘s official remix package which is out this Friday (preorder on iTunes here). Just try not to get your lean on too hard and throw out your back to this one, and enjoy Moonbase Commander’s “Work Me Out” remix before anyone else above.

Saturday Selection Vol. 3

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - April 23, 2016

This has already been a tough year for music lovers, and April is just wrapping up. We’ve lost some major icons who were trailblazers in not only their music, but also social and cultural shifts. We’ll miss them constantly, but there’s a bright side. We’ll always have their legacies through their discography, and, even more luckily, we get new and amazing music to enjoy every day. We can at least smile about that. Let’s explore.

Monogem – Take It Slow

Soundcloud

Monogem holds an inherent magnetism throughout her material. “Take It Slow” certainly is one of those pop songs that will make you want to fall in love under the right circumstances, and, even with the atomospheric production swirling back and forth, her crystal clear voice cuts through with a surprising and engaging strength. Get caught up in mediocre pop music can be easy if you aren’t careful, but there’s no trace of that when it comes to Monogem. Even with only a handful of tracks currently out, she has a little something for everyone.

Matthew Riley – YEARS

Soundcloud

Finding the first track an artist posts on SoundCloud is always exciting, and we’re very glad to have Matthew Riley join up. “YEARS” is awash with reverb and gentle, faint synths that float together with his short verses in simple and serene harmony. He’s crafted a fine balance between ambient, pop, and electronic music that manages to provide feelings of both relaxation and reflection. Sometimes that is exactly what you need on a slow morning, and we definitely hope to hear more Matthew Riley in the near future.

The Kount – Only Human

Soundcloud

There’s no contest here. The Kount is a student of the groove. He might even be a teacher of it after hearing this one. If you aren’t somehow feverishly bobbing your head after 20 seconds into “Only Human,” we’re not exactly sure what to tell you. It’s instrumentals like these that stand on their own. No need for bars, verses, or choruses. There’s enough substance and space that allow the instrumentation to speak for itself in the absence of lyrics. It’s a pretty great thing to find when you need a break from constant narration. His style is constantly shifting, so check out the rest of his material when you can.

Robokid – 23

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Nothing predictable comes to mind when discussing Robokid, and that’s great. Being a co-founder of Moving Castle will have that effect on you. On this new tune, which you may recognize from the Coachella LIVE video, there is an entirely different side of Robokid put on display. Shedding his more upbeat style, he opts for a little more sullen and slow approach on “23.” There’s an air of hope matched with escapism that isn’t weighed down with too many elements. It’s wonderful for a myriad of settings, and might just be one of his best creations yet. That’s a bold statement, but “23” is a force all its own.

Bo Rocha – Hold My Gaze

Soundcloud

We’d like to apologize for Bo Rocha managing to fly under our radar for this long. The London native has an undeniable command of her sound as evident from “Hold My Gaze,” and, as she flips from her mighty chorus to double-time verses, she knows her power. Between songwriting and production, Bo Rocha covers it all, and her hypnotic voice complements the ebbs and flows of this sweltering song perfectly. “Hold My Gaze” is such a strong follow up to her Even Green EP from a year ago, and we absolutely hope another project is the works soon that will build upon this radiant single.

[Secret Ninja Pass] This Week at Beta 4/21 – 4/24

Posted by Clayton Warwick - April 21, 2016

As we continue along into 2016, we’re excited to bring you more opportunities to check out our favorite club. As you probably already know, we’ve been hooking you up with free entry to Beta for over three years now. We know you’ve had some epic times, catching some of the most legendary talent EDM has to offer, and we’re on board to keep this thing going. So, we’re once again giving you an opportunity to check out the best night club in North America for free. What all do you have to do to get in? It’s pretty damn easy. Just follow these steps:

– Head to the front door and enter the club before 11 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Get there before 9PM on Sundays.
– Show this post to the cashier (Valid for 21+ only).
– The deal is valid for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

See you on the dance floor.

Fleming & Lawrence - 4/21

’Fleming & Lawrence – Beyond the Limit (Deep Mix)’

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San Holo - 4/22

’More Tea’

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Lea Luna - 4/23

Claude Vonstroke - 4/24

’Claude Vonstroke – Can’t Wait (Original Mix)’

Soundcloud

Saturday Selection Vol. 2

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - April 16, 2016

As we continue to dig deeper throughout the internet for music, we can get blindsided (in a good way) by a sound or voice we’ve never heard before. Maybe it’s a new style of production or a groove you can’t quite figure out the finer details of. It could even be a remix that completely reshapes your initial feelings of a song. Whatever it may entail, that slight bit of confusion or excitement you feel is the exact moment you know when you’re on to something. It’s a wonderful revelation, and that’s what this playlist is all about. Time to explore!

Diveliner – Catwalk

Soundcloud

It’s been a little over a year since we covered Diveliner last, and the wait was certainly worth it. Diveliner thrives in almost total anonymity, and his newest effort reflect his ability to cut through saturated sounds and build up his own monumental creation. The jarring and filtered vocals scatter across the shadowy production with a robotic flourish. It would almost be disconcerting if it wasn’t so well-made. If you’re looking for something conventional in Diveliner, you won’t find it. That’s exactly what makes his mystery his own. Luckily, he has an EP on the way, and “Catwalk” is an encouraging second addition to his upcoming project.

Chet Porter – tbh ily (Kidswaste Remix)

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Even as Moving Castle continues to explode in size and popularity, they’ve found their sound and stuck with it for a few years now. Recently, Kidswaste has hopped on board, and his first release with the label is a charming and melodic remix of Chet Porter. It reworks all of the best elements of Chet’s gorgeous original into a slightly more upbeat and orchestral tune, while simultaneously allowing the power and precision of Kidswaste’s talent shine through. It’s really just a nice listen and has an undeniable replay value. If you dig it, be sure to treat yourself to the free download also!

Limbic Void – Little Boy

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Some memories are nice. Other are not. Limbic Void constructs “Little Boy” around the latter. It’s really quite an interesting juxtaposition. Even with boisterous production, the lyrics paint a different picture entirely. He sings about a time he wasn’t proud of. That isn’t easy to do. He encapsulates a past pain into something beautiful, and it’s honestly made us do some reflecting of our own. Be on the lookout for his EP dropping on May 26th.

SiR – Tricky (Prod. Rascal)

Soundcloud

Everything about this tune by SiR is phenomenal. From the slick production of Rascal, to the smooth delivery of every pining line, “Tricky” is a triumph. If you’re in need of an excellent late night song, stop right here and hit play. It’s the kind of track that provides an instant calm. Everything slows down and seems much less complicated. You begin to get caught up in the moment. It’s exceptional. End your day right with “Tricky” and absorb every subtle nuance of this sleek SiR invention. Watch this to understand how InventHelp guides inventors.

The Blancos – Wild Child

Soundcloud

The Blancos are a wild bunch, as clearly stated by the name of their most recent release. Having premiered with Pigeons & Planes earlier this week, this duo continues the wonderful blurring of lines between genres that more and more artists have taken to applying. With a little bit of rock, alternative, and even a tinge of blues, The Blancos swagger can’t and won’t be stopped. “Wild Child” explores the feelings of an outcast with a grit that is oddly welcoming, and most people catch themselves relating to this sort of thought process at some point in their life. Why not enjoy a great song to soundtrack it with while you’re at it?

[Chill] Nick Leng – Playing With Fire

Posted by Ash El Gamal - April 15, 2016

Nick Leng
Playing With Fire

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It’s been almost a year since we’ve heard new original material from producer and vocalist Nick Leng but his Tunnels and Planes EP remains a go to for laid-back listening. Earlier this week, the LA-based producer and vocalist announced the release of an upcoming EP and unleashed the first single.

“Playing With Fire” truly engulfs the listener with a pretty piano melody layered with ambient electronic elements. Leng’s vocals are mixed flawlessly managing to avoid overpowering their gorgeous accompanying elements. Just as his voice serves as an instrument, so do the lyrics about being on the verge of an argument as they give way to the head-nodding chorus. Leng’s Drivers EP is due out just in time for summer on June 3rd via B3SCI Records–pre-order it now here.

[Indie] MOSAICS – Year of Valor

Posted by TMN Staff - April 14, 2016

MOSAICS
Year Of Valor

Soundcloud

Longtime Ninja readers may recall San Francisco’s MOSAICS from our 2015 interview shortly following the release of their debut, Of Colors–an impressive fusion of creative electronic production and acoustic guitar licks. Last week, the 3-piece returned announcing a new EP and unveiling its title track.

“Year of Valor” shows a clear evolution of the MOSAICS sound, in part with the help of new lead vocalist Maryam Sadeghian. The song opens with an infectious guitar loop that blends with syncopated hi-hat percussion making way for Sadeghian’s voice, which leaves an immediate impression. The production, even with its constant progression, gives just enough room to draw light to compelling songwriting regarding the world’s constant struggle with superficiality. During the chorus, the backdrop takes a psychedelic turn as the guitar reverses before an almost EDM-esque drop back into the verse.

Given that I’ve been listening to Moderat’s album on repeat recently, there’s definitely some comparison to be made in MOSAICS intersection of soul, indie and experimental electronic elements. However, the SF trio possess a more accessible, pop-leaning sensibility making Year of Valor, which drops May 20th, a likely summer breakout project. Keep your eye out and, in the meantime, vibe above.