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Author Archives: Gabe Meier

New Joy Orbison – “Donell”

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April 24, 2013
New Music
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joy orbison

In a startling show of good will, the once elusive Joy Orbison dropped a freebie line for his fans last night. “Donell” unsurprisingly samples Donell Jones’ “You Know What’s Up” and is a classic piece of shuffling throwback house. Orbison let the track go to ruffle up some hype for the second edition of his Just For You concert series. The event will take place at Oval Space in London and also feature Cassy (Panorama Bar), Evan Tuell (Worhshop) and Will Bankhead (The Trilogy Tapes). While most of us won’t be able to attend said smasher of an event, we can at least close our eyes, throw on “Donell” and  pretend our hardest.

New Kode9 – “Xingfu Lu”

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April 23, 2013
New Music
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kode9

Hyperdub don Kode9’s first official track in over two years comes in the form of “Xingfu Lu”, named after the street it was conceived on in Shanghai. “Xingfu” translates to “happy” in Chinese, but this track is anything but joyful. It’s a paranoiac journey through Kode9’s past, drawing on his brutalist take on garage as well as his more extreme percussion workouts. At times it sounds like a demented Joker while at others, it falls into the realm of a soul-less Pearson Sound. The single will be released on April 29 via Hyperdub and will hopefully be followed by something more substantial.

Astro Nautico Presents ‘Atlantics Vol. 3’

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April 23, 2013
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atlantics vol 3

While inconsistent at times, New York-based party collective/label Astro Nautico’s annual 4/20 Atlantics compilation is easily one of our most anticipated releases every year and always includes a few up-and-comers that are sure to make big moves in the coming eight months. Last years’s volume included tracks from current heavy hitters like Morri$ (Night Slugs), Baauer (LuckyMe) and Djemba Djemba (Mad Decent) as well as a bevy of under appreciated producers along the lines of Pixelord, Time Wharp and Abel. Volume 3 features some Astral Plane favorites including Big Voyage, Druid Cloak and up-and-coming live act Archie Pelago. At 32 tracks, there are some duds of course, but the majority of the tape is truly quality and features some real gems (Seafloor’s “Your Symphony”). Furthermore, it’s free. That’s right, 32 free tracks from your favorite producers. For free. Enjoy.

MATRiXXMAN Remixes STRFKR’s “Golden Light”

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April 22, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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matrixxman

As abrasive and iconoclastic as Matrixxman’s online persona comes off as, dude can churn out some incredibly populist music. Take last year’s (as 5kinandbone5) “Forest Nymphs” for example. The track is basically a lusher than lush take on classic Detroit tropes, demonstrating the softer side of the YG-associated Bay Area-residents. In his solo work, Matrixxman has repeatedly shown this side, but it’s often obfuscated behind a web of inter-referential graphics and web speak. His latest effort comes in the form of a remix of STRFKR’s “Golden Light”, a pleasant, although slightly vapid effort from the Portland band. Matrixxman begins the track by heaping on glob after glob of cheesy guitar licks giving it that “retro” vibe that so many producers strive for. Matrixxman is far more tactful than “so many producers” though and reins the rework in before it gets out of hand. The result is a tropical take on  slow, disco-infused house. Stream the remix below and grab a download here.

New Dark Sky – “Rare Bloom”

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April 22, 2013
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dark sky

Since its inception in 2009, Brooklyn-based party purveyors Mister Saturday Night have been a touchstone for quality event management, outgrowing their modest roots and becoming something of a global brand. Only recently though have Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin (the two Misters if you will) expanded their curatorial responsibilities into the recording world, but that doesn’t mean they’re fresh faced or nieve. Only five releases deep, Mister Saturday Night has already released critically acclaimed white labels from Anthony Naples and Archie Pelago and have placed themselves firmly alongside L.I.E.S. and UNO as New York City royalty. On May 13, London trio Dark Sky will release their sixth solo EP through Mister Saturday Night, quite possibly the young label’s most high-profile release to date. Stream EP cut “Rare Bloom” below, which sees the Londoners moving in a more four-on-the-floor oriented direction while maintaining their carefully curated affection for the low end.

New The-Drum – “Sirens”

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April 18, 2013
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the-drum

Since their inception, Chicago duo The-Drum have been rather unfairly grouped under the “cloud” microgenre, which seems to be applied to any remotely internet savvy act. Since catching our eye with their contribution to Haleek Maul’s Oxyconteen EP, Brandon and Jeremiah have helmed R&B mega-group JODY and honed their original and remix work into a viscous blend of codeine drenched homemade percussion and contemporary R&B inferred melodies. On June 25, the duo will release their debut LP, Contact, on Portland-based label Audraglint, which we can attest will not only allow  them to transcend the limiting “cloud” label, but will also entrench them in a long line of internet bred experimental R&B producers. Stream Contact‘s  first single below and mark off June 25 on your calendars.

Shlohmo Remixes Young Scooter’s “Colombia”

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April 17, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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shlohmo

A few weeks ago, Shlohmo performed at The Fonda Theater in Los Angeles and amid a night rife with quality exclusives, one song managed to stand out from the rest: a murky remix Young Scooter’s heavily slept on “Colombia”. The remix has been floating around the internet in rip form for a few weeks, but earlier, Mr. Laufer let it loose to celebrate breaking the 70,000 fan barrier on Facebook. Selling bricks has never this fun. Stream and download below.

New Airhead – “Autumn”

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April 16, 2013
New Music
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airhead

Over the past several years, London-resident Rob McAndrews has proven that he can make strikingly beautiful vocalist/beat hybrids that have more in common with a producer like Shlohmo than sometimes collaborator and fellow Londoner James Blake.   While these lofty vocal tracks are what have generally caught the public’s eye, Airhead began producing low-end heavy club music for RAMP sub-label Brainmath years ago and stil trends in that direction every-so-often as can be seen on tracks like “Pyramid Lake”. On June 11, Airhead will release his debut LP, For Years, on R&S, an album that will encompass both new and old work. “Autumn” is our first new taste of the album and definitely falls in the former camp of lofty vocal driven tracks. Like “Wait” before it, the bread and butter of “Autumn is a simple, yet earworm-worthy guitar loop and some brilliant vocals from a yet unknown vocalist. Stream “Autumn” below and look out for the album in June.

New Dre Skull – “First Time” (Feat. Megan James & Popcaan)

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April 15, 2013
New Music
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dre skull

Last Summer, Mixpak boss and Calvin Broadus collaborator Dre Skull released the infectious dancehall-crossover tune “Loudspeaker Riddim”, but the track didn’t ever really catch on. Just under a year later, Mixpak’s profile has risen exponentially and the man born Andrew Hirshey has been penned in for a number of hiiipower collaborations, including bringing in Megan James (of Purity Ring) and Jamaican vocalist Popcaan for an redo of “Loudspeaker Riddim” that is sure to reach the furthest extremities of the blog body. James’ vocals have always lacked a certain emotive quality for us, but she excels on the surface of Dre Skull’s production, rising above the shimmering synths and booming kicks. “First Time” is out now on Mixpak.

Stream Mala’s Essential Mix, New James Blake Remix

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April 13, 2013
Mixes, New Music, Remixes
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mala

It’s a party, it’s a party, it’s a party. Recently, dubstep dundodda Mala got behind the decks to turn in a  BBC Radio One Essential Mix and did not disappoint. Naturally, Mala threw in his fair share of dubplates and exclusives including the legendary “Anti-War Dub VIP”, but the highlight of the set came at the very end when he dropped James Blake’s (as Harmonimix) long awaited remix of “Maybes”, which has been floating around in various lo-fi forms for nearly two years now. The track still does not have a release date, but this is the first quality rip we’ve received since it was first debuted. Don’t just skip to the end though. Turn the lights off, light one up, let the speakers rattle and let Mala take you on a two hour journey.

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