Latest Electronica Posts

[Avant-Pop/Soul/Video] Autre Ne Veut – Panic Room

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 17, 2015
Autre Ne Veut
Panic Room
Soundcloud

Last month, Arthur Ashin, the New York avant-pop, -R&B and -soul experimentalist who records as Autre Ne Veut, announced the follow up to his excellent 2013 opus, Anxiety, with Age of Transparency (pre-order digitally here and on vinyl here). So far we’ve had the chance to hear “World War Pt. 2” and watch its soul creeping video counterpart; and today we’ve been given the second dose from the forthcoming LP in the form of “Panic Room”. Autre Ne Veut’s latest tune remains within his genre-skirting, experimentalist niche, but may also be Ashin’s most sonically textured endeavor yet. Dizzying synth lines spark back and forth over a two-step drum pattern, a flitting flute sample and scuzzy electronic percussion which all coalesce like a dream to bring Ashin’s unique, soaring vocals to the forefront; especially on its layered and harmonized chorus.

We’ve taken it a step further and also included the brand, beautiful new video for the acapella version of “Panic Room” directed by Allie Avital, which features Ashin singing in front of a panel of judges (his manager, sister, and Pitchfork writer Ian Cohen); “reflecting the anxieties (we can all relate to) of being an artist in the public sphere”. We’re perked up and ready to catch Autre Ne Veut on his latest U.S. tour in October, and in the throws of our fandom urge our readers to be on the lookout for our special interview with Ashin in the next few weeks. Until then, enjoy “Panic Room” above, watch the music video and check out the complete U.S. tour dates for ANV below.

U.S. Tour Dates:

Thu Oct 01 – NYC, NY – Rough Trade
Fri Oct 09 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
Sat Oct 10 – San Francisco, CA – Social Hall SF
Mon Oct 12 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Tue Oct 13 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
Fri Oct 16 – Denver, CO – Lost Lake
Sun Oct 18 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Tue – Oct 20 – Toronto, ON – The Hoxton
Wed Oct 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle
Thu Oct 22 – Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs
Fri Oct 23 – Washington, CD – U Street Music Hall
Mon Oct 26 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

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[Festival Preview] Symbiosis Gathering 2015: Tone of Arc’s Prep Playlist, 09/17-20

Posted by TMN Staff - September 16, 2015

Particularly during this time of year, there seems to be a music festival every weekend. Although we, of course, value the lineups as much as anyone, it’s equally important to think about the experience as a 360 one–not just a place to watch your favorite artists perform but also one to celebrate and enjoy the culture that surrounds it. With every event, the vibe and crowd are different, but few have done a better job of cultivating an all-encompassing, yet laid-back, atmosphere than Northern California’s Symbiosis Gathering.

Nestled on the Woodward Reservoir in Northern California, Symbiosis has the immediate appeal of a scenic camping location with beautiful wilderness sitting on a lake that festival goers are free to enjoy. In its tenth year now, Symbiosis has created a culture outside of just the music and backdrop that brings workshops, yoga courses and art installations to the event. This year, they’ll even be introducing the concept of ‘Art Boats,’ which will allow attendees to bring their own creativity with them by creating amphibious vehicles that can roam the grounds.

Aside from the diverse experience, the festival’s lineup this year may be their best yet with artists including Nicolas Jaar, Four Tet, GriZ and Sylvan Esso serving as headliners but a strong bill from top to bottom. For those of you who will be in attendance tomorrow, we asked San Francisco’s own Tone of Arc to put together a playlist to prepare you for their set, which you can check out below. If you haven’t gotten a ticket yet, and are feeling like you need an escape this weekend, they are still for sale here.

’Shiny Objects – The Velvet Slide’
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’Tone of Arc – Run Rabbit Run (Eric Volta Running With The White Rabbit Mix)’
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’Paul McCartney & Wings Vs. Timo Maas & James Teej – 1985 /// BBC Radio 1 /// Essential New Tune’
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’Navid Izadi – Lost in the Fold Pt. 2’
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’Always (Brett Johnson’s House Bump Mix (Vocal Version)’
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’Tone of Arc – Chant No. 1’
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’If I Try (Tone Of Arc Remix)’
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’Leonard Cohen – Nevermind (PillowTalk Rerub)’
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’Kenny Glasgow – Open Your Mind’
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’Signal Flow, Navid Izadi, Jonny Cruz, Pattern Drama – Colours Feat. Gretz’
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[Electronic] Tame Impala – Let It Happen (Soulwax Remix)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - September 10, 2015
Tame Impala
Let It Happen (Soulwax Remix)
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Belgian electro-rockers Soulwax established themselves as legends in electronic music over ten years ago just as the genre hit its stride in the mainstream. As of late, though, there have been scarce sitings of the pioneers–the most recent appearance being their fantastic remix of Jungle‘s “Julia.” It comes as little surprise that Tame Impala‘s phenomenal latest album Currents catalyzed new material from the trio who released a rendition of the hit single “Let it Happen” a couple days ago.

Initially, Soulwax draw the listener in with an arpeggiated backdrop keeping Kevin Parker’s vocals in-tact before dropping in a groovy bass line with steady, tribal-leaning percussion to match. As the song hits the 4-minute mark, the song’s interlude and distinct guitar riff perfectly accompany the rhythmic backdrop which takes over the remainder while interweaving various elements of the original. Running over 9-minutes, it’s the type of track that requires patience that’s well worth it–continually growing in appeal with every listen. There seem to be some hints on their social media pages and hopefully the inspiration Soulwax has found in these recent tracks results in some new original music. In the meantime, let this one sink in.

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[Chill Trap] Hitmane – Over U (Chet Porter Remix)

Posted by Ivan Chung - September 9, 2015
Hitmane
Over U (Chet Porter Remix)
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If you haven’t heard of Chet Porter, now is the time. The Toronto-based producer has spent most of the summer making dope tunes and refining his sound. His newest track is this remix of Hitmane‘s “Over U”, which perfectly exhibits Chet’s skill set as a producer. The chill trap beat brings out the exuberant melodies, and the crafty samples taking the catchy drops to a whole other level. Chet incorporates his signature harp-like synth in the breakdown, resulting in intricate melodies that will leave you vibing.

We are thoroughly impressed by the genre-bending approach to Chet Porter’s music, which takes different elements from a song and pieces them together with such delicate maneuvers. Make sure to be on the lookout for more dope tracks coming your way from Chet.

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[Electronic] Kenton Slash Demon – Syko

Posted by Ash El Gamal - September 9, 2015
Kenton Slash Demon
Syko
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After hearing Kenton Slash Demon‘s “Harpe,” the first single from their upcoming Harpe/Syko EP, the Danish production tandem immediately became one of our top acts to look out for this year. A couple days ago they let loose “Syko,” presumably the second half of their upcoming Future Classic release, which solidifies the textured, blissful sound that they’ve established with their catalogue thus far.

Carrying on the deep, instrumental style, “Syko” sees KSD taking a groovier approach all the while maintaining the unmatched mind-altering relaxation established on “Harpe.” Once again, it displays how a well-crafted instrumental composition can evoke unmatched emotional power. There’s a certain depth that takes the listener on a magnificent mental excursion that’s easily worth repeated listens.

Harpe/Syko drops on 12″ vinyl via Future Classic on September 11th and can be pre-ordered here. It will be available a week later, on September 18th, digitally as well. Just in case a Ninja co-sign isn’t enough, it’s also worth noting that Flume reposted this on Soundcloud earlier today–it certainly seems like the perfect track for him to remix or at least fit into one of the more atmospheric portions of his live sets.

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[Electro-Soul/Alt-Pop] NITE-FUNK (Nite Jewel & Dâm-Funk) – Can U Read Me

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 4, 2015
NITE-FUNK (Nite Jewel & DâM-FunK)
~ Can U Read Me?
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L.A. based alt-pop songstress Nite Jewel and modern-funk musician, vocalist and producer Dâm-Funk have teamed up more than a few times over the trajectory of their respective careers; even securing a smidgen of virality with their single “I Know You’re the One”, and have once again combined forces as NITE-FUNK for brand new single “Can U Read Me”. Once upon a time, the sometimes duo was even close to releasing an entire EP’s worth of music, but as their arcs have swirled in different direction since then, we’ll have to settle for their one-off singles. Which, as long as we’re still getting tunes from the unlikely pairing, we don’t entirely mind. “Can U Read Me” pulls from both Nite Jewel and Dâm-Funk’s sonic psyche, ambling out of the gates with washed out pads and some Nite Jewel appropriated bass before unveiling its percussive core as a funk-tipping two-step progression before giving into the pair’s hooking vocals. “Can U Read Me” is a lovely piece of Neo-Soul, modern funk and avant-pop that we’ve not stopped grooving to this morning. Let’s get into the weekend spirit with some NITE-FUNK above.

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[Electro-Pop/Dance] Gilligan Moss – Stasis

Posted by Matthew Bloss - September 2, 2015
Gilligan Moss
Stasis
Soundcloud

For years now, and largely on the low, Chicago native Gilligan Moss has been producing left-field house music and elegantly off-kilter electronic pop. Much to our chagrin, this is unfortunately our first post covering the now New York based producer, but in reality Moss’ latest EP, Ceremonial, is his official debut. The vibrantly technicolor extended-play, which dropped just a few weeks back on the independently-minded London imprint AMF Records, touches its wings down on a number of aural aesthetics, but it was the EP’s closing tune, “Stasis” which came across as the perfect Hump Day prescription.

Hopping out of the gates with a rolling arpeggiated synth, clicky percussion and a light dose of grand piano, “Stasis” chases down a synth-pop prognosis and smashes it to bits with hints of a sensible psych influence and club-first house foundation. Gilligan Moss treats his vocal just as craftily as well, cutting and looping effortlessly through hazy and delicate incantations that sound somewhere between Sean Ryder‘s most indulgent bellows and the Macintosh computer SimpleText application used on OK Computer’s “Fitter Happier”.  Just beautiful stuff to our Ninja ears really. For a real taste of Moss’ range, don’t skip on the rest of Ceremonial either, to get a much clearer grasp as to why mainstream source’s like NME nabbed the burgeoning producer in an August edition of “Radar New Act Of The Week”. Let’s start unwinding our Wednesday with a little Gilligan Moss.

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