Latest Experimental Posts

Meltybrains? – Step [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - November 2, 2016

Time and time again the word “experimental” gets used incorrectly. However, it’s groups like Meltybrains? that end up somehow eschewing and bolstering that label at the same time with their absolute defiance of coloring inside the lines. “Step” is the latest from this eccentric band, fraught with auto-tuned and veiled vocals bouncing around crashing drums and a nearly impossible to follow rhythm, but it isn’t off-putting in any regard. They’ve developed an entrancing nature that’s reflected throughout their dark and mirrored video, and by the time it ends, you find yourself slightly confused yet more than satisfied.

There are no boundaries or conventions followed by Meltybrains? (which is an apt name, by the way), and their thorough disregard for both is what has created such an intriguing exploration into the farthest reaches of what experimental music can truly accomplish. “Step” is the second offering from their upcoming Kiss Yourself EP, and if you’re digging this strange yet absorbing sound, be on the lookout for the rest of their new project on November 18th.

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[Video] Black Marble – Woods

Posted by Matthew Bloss - October 20, 2016

Perhaps the singular album in the last five years with the most profound impact on this writer’s favored aural aesthetics came in the form of Black Marble‘s 2013 dark-wave meets lo-fi pop opus, A Different Arrangement. Chris Stewart’s subtle manipulation of simple pop structuring, goth-punk undertones, reverb-entombed incantations and a foundation of stripped down, new-wave drum kits struck an internal chord so deep, that it all at once ushered in a frame shift in taste moving forward, and a simultaneous return back to my youth punk, consumer days. And so (and forgive me for the long-winded intro), after a bit of a dormant writing state and with the recent release of the second Black Marble long-player, It’s Immaterial out now on Ghostly, I’ve been roused to return to covering music that truly moves my personal soul.

One of the first three singles to be released from It’s Immaterial, “Woods” (along with the stellar “Iron Lung” & “Frisk”) has just brandished its visual accompaniment from director Theo Sixou, who also directed Black Marble’s 2013 video for “A Great Design”; and it quite wonderfully enhances its haunting infrastructure. It’s darkly verdant backdrop and visual themes tie in fluently with “Woods”‘ longing nature, twisting up its viewer in the process. Black Marble is currently a few dates into a mini-tour supporting It’s Immaterial, and we would highly advise our wise readers to check them out in the flesh if they’re coming to a city near you. Until then, enjoy the official music video for “Woods” below.

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[Ambient] Pure One – Become

Posted by Ash El Gamal - September 28, 2016
Pure One
Become
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Every once in a while I’m sent a submission so different that I’m not quite sure what to do with it. Such was the case when Pure One landed in my inbox over a year ago with her experimental, ambient and stirring sonic landscapes.  The more I listened, the more appreciation I gained for its subtleties, intricate arrangement and soft drum patterns. Rather than evoke the standard instant gratification many expect from music, Pure One’s work feels more focused on transporting listeners to an astral plane of reflection, growing in depth with each listen.

“Become,” the first single off her upcoming Deva EP encapsulates that style as she chops her silky vocal chant of “become your truth” adding reverb among other psychedelic accents. That obscuration teamed with expertly placed piano keys and unconventional, soothing percussive elements results in something that truly evokes self reflection if you allow yourself to truly get lost in it.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint clear influences, fans of artists like Bjork, Sigur Ros and Four Tet may enjoy this one. Listen for yourself above and look out for the Deva EP, which is due out on Bandcamp October 16th via Cora Records.

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Austin Paul X SNDNGCHLLZ X Byrdipop – Binary [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Clayton Warwick - September 14, 2016
Binary
Austin Paul X SNDNGCHLLZ X Byrdipop
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Miami based Austin Paul, SNDNGCHLLZ, and Byrdipop have come together in a collaborative track that’s absolutely mesmerizing, and they pulled it off in less than 48 hours. What’s even more impressive is the fact that these three haven’t previously worked together. They were partnered up in a celebration of local music by the forthcoming lll Points Festival, which takes place October 7th – 9th, at Mana Wynwood.

This is the the third release on the festival’s 1st compilation, with one more release yet to come in the pack. “Binary,” as they’ve titled it, is a wonderfully sonic listening experience that pulls elements from RnB, ambient electronica, and pure experimental bliss. It only takes a few seconds to lock you in, and once it does, you’ll be wondering where you can get more.

Hopefully this admirable project from lll Points Festival helps inspire these budding artists to work together more, because, quite frankly, we need more.

There are still tickets available, so if you want to see acts like M83, Thievery Corporation, LCD Soundsystem, Method Man and Redman, Black Coffee, Earl Sweatshirt, and close to a hundred more, we highly recommend picking them up now.

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[Event Preview/Playlist] The Underground Music Showcase – 7/28 – 7/31 – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - July 27, 2016

It’s no secret at all that The Underground Music Showcase in beautiful Denver, CO has become a mainstay for our Mile-High Ninjas, and as we’re just a day out, we are once again gearing up for another edition of one of the U.S. festival scene’s best kept (not-so) secrets. One of the few remaining music gatherings in the fair city of Denver to eschew the typical smattering of major label festival fare, The UMS boasts a lineup of over 400+ acts strewn across various shops and bars dotting Denver’s historic South Broadway district, and we’ve been salivating like one of Pavlov’s pit-bulls in anticipation of this year’s entry.

Headlined by a number of intriguingly eclectic acts including Poliça, Thee Oh Sees, Sunflower Bean, Allah Las, Lee Fields & The Expressions, and The Bright Light Social Hour as well as some of the city’s most promising acts like Flaural, Shady Elders, déCollage, The Yawpers, Inner Oceans and Sunboy; 2016’s version of The UMS offers us yet another tastefully curated weekend of music in one of the best settings possible. We’ll be out in full force all weekend, and in anticipation of this year’s festivities, we’ve put together a playlist highlighting some of our favorite UMS artists. Get your sunscreen ready, and we’ll be seeing our Denver friends in the sun all weekend!

 

’POLIÇA – Chain My Name’
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’Thee Oh Sees – Web’
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’Sunflower Bean – Easier Said’
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’Allah
Las – Buffalo Nickel’
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’The Yawpers – Sister Mary’
Download
’Lee Fields & The Expressions – You’re The Kind Of Girl’
Download
’Bright Light Social Hour – Escape Velocity’
Buy
’Flaural – Mind Field’
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’Inner Oceans – WILD’
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’Sunboy – Oracle’
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’Shady Elders – Pale Blue Dot’
Download
’déCollage – Rise Above’
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[Event Preview] Enchanted Forest – Black Oak Ranch – 7/22 – 7/24

Posted by Clayton Warwick - July 17, 2016

It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise that we love to get down, let loose, and imbibe quite often. However, we also understand the importance of taking care of the temple and making sure our ninja minds stay fine-tuned and on point. With that in mind, Enchanted Forest and its healthy dosage of sweet grooves in a life-altering collective social environment is calling our name next week.

For four days, festival-goers will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime musical and cultural experience, with more than 70 internationally-acclaimed live and electronic musical acts, including Shpongle, The Polish Ambassador, Ayla Nereo, Hamsa Lila, PANTYRAID, Minnesota, Fanna Fi Allah, Autograf, Lila Rose, Thriftworks and more.

In addition to the lineup, Enchanted Forest is also home to what they call, “NorCal’s Sauciest Soiree,” where visitors are encouraged to “fully embody their highest and truest self.” That means inside this fairytale woodland setting are 50 workshops in yoga, dance, movement and flow arts instruction, led by globally-renowned teachers. Yoga not your jam? Maybe you’ll find something of interest at one of over 60 educational workshops and forums covering subjects around relationships and sexuality, science and spirituality, health, wellness, nutrition, and ancestral arts.

The forest is full of healing sanctuaries, foam dance floors and, of course, plenty of shade for comfy camping. Forewarning, if you’re trying to booze up, it’s maybe not the festival for you, as they have “Get saucy, not sauced” policy, which promotes a safe, alcohol-free environment. But, after marathon party sessions at festivals like EDC, Coachella, and Ultra, this could be a very welcomed break.

Before you dive into the playlist we curated for you, we also should mention that our friends over at Cadence & Cause have your chance to win two (4-Day All-Inclusive) Yogi Passes, a Saucy Spa Pass (in case you need a shower), and a $100 gift certificate for merch at the festival. Your entry will help impact a cause that really hits home to the show’s promoter’s – planting new trees in American forests – so events like this can continue to happen for a long time to come.

’Thirftworks – The Newter Shooter’
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’Lynx – Picture (The Polish Ambassador Remix)’
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’Wildlight – The Tide – Rain’
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’pantyraid – Wanting Moves’
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’Where are ü now – Ember Island cover(Minnesota remix)’
Soundcloud
’Minnesota – Hold Up’
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’Minnesota – Living Together’
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’Doja Cat – So High (StéLouse Flip)’
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’Owl City X Said The Sky – Fireflies (StéLouse Edit)’
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’Champagne Drip – Open Your Eyes’
Download
’Champagne Drip – Moonlight’
Buy
’Autograf – Dream.’
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’Autograf – Metaphysical (ft. Janelle Kroll)’
Buy
’Autograf
Future Soup (ft. Patrick Baker)’
Buy
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[Psych Rock] Jagwar Ma – OB1

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 16, 2016
Jagwar Ma
O B 1
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I was first introduced to Jagwar Ma via BIRP’s May 2013 release. In “Man I Need”, I found a 9-minute long primer to what would soon become a favorite genre of music. The influences of indie rock, glitz-pop, and psychadelia came together to form a symbiotic masterpiece with each piece complimenting the others. While Jagwar Ma has been touring regularly, fans have not been exposed to new material since the debut of Howlin’ in 2013. This week, the first single from the soon-to-be released album Every Now and Then, “OB1” has hit the airwaves.

Opening with a glitzy, reverb heavy loop set under Gabriel Winterfield’s vocals, the track wastes no time to root itself in the same psychedelic framework that made the band so popular in 2013 – and propelled Lonerism to universal acclaim in 2012. “OB1” plays out nicely over the course of a lengthy five and a half minutes, giving an ode to previous works like “Uncertainty” and “The Throw” which take equally as long to build up.

As the song unfolds, a subbed out bass line and a 90s-rock guitar riff carry the bridge and the hook respectively. Overall, “OB1” is a return to form for Jagwar Ma and gives fans a hopeful glimpse into what is in store from them in the second half of 2016. In addition to dropping a new album, fans can catch what is – in my personal opinion – one of the best live performances that exists all over the globe this summer and fall. Jagwar Ma’s website can be found here and a few of their tour dates are listed below the music video.

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