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New Music

New Philip Grass – “Onit”

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March 6, 2013
New Music
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dropping gems gem drops 3

Somehow we (inexcusably) forgot to post this absolute Gem last week, but better late than never I guess. Philip Grass is a new member of Portland’s Dropping Gems posse and has contributed the delectable first entry into the label’s third comprehensive compilation, Gem Drops 3, which happens to be the first entry to be released on vinyl. “Onit” falls somewhere between Madlib’s Quasimoto and the more aggressive side of the Low End Theory sphere and is a more overtly genre-bending offering than we’ve come to expect from DG. It’s easy to get caught up in the stuttering, heavy synth work in “Onit”, but the heavily distorted vocal sample, faltering FX and cracking drums are the real driving force here. Gem Drops 3 is out April 16 and also feature DJAO, City Mouth and M. Constant.

New Baths – “Miasma Sky”

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March 6, 2013
New Music
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baths odsidianBaths has always been one of the most talented producer/singers out there, mixing pot and pan percussion with blunted synth work and his now signature falsetto. If one was going to level any criticism on the man born Will Wiesenfeld, it would have to be focused on his song-writing. While the wavering quality in Baths’ vocal material might be intentional, it’s also fairly clear that he wasn’t the most comfortable behind the mic on 2010’s Cerulean. It appears that the Los Angeles-native might just have found his sea legs though. “Miasma Sky” is our first taste of his upcoming Obsidian LP and features Wiesenfeld’s strongest vocal work to date. Instead of immersing himself in the mix, the vocals float wistfully over a progressively funky bassline and understated drum hits. It’s clear that this is a Baths song, a strong indicator that Obsidian will expand and improve upon Cerulean‘s strong points. Stream below and look out for Baths’ sophomore LP on May 28.

New Danny Brown – “#HottestMC” (Prod. Harry Fraud)

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March 6, 2013
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danny brown

The channel formerly known as Music Television has been doing some sort of “Top MCs” list in recent weeks that has purportedly been riling up quite a few rappity rap types out there who feel that the former music video purveyors might be a little out of their element in attempting to gauge, well, musical ability. All bitching aside, the list was doomed to fail from the beginning and should be whole heartedly ignored. The one positive side-effect of all of the kvetching is that the Adderral Admiral took notice, grabbed Harry Fraud and let loose “#HottestMC”. Far from the most complex Brown attempt, the track is pure braggadocio and battle rap aggression. The production features a lethargic psych rock guitar sample and a twisting, medieval-sounding synth. “#HottestMC” will reportedly appear on Brown’s upcoming Old LP, which will also feature production from Rustie. Stream below.

Stream/Download Chrome Sparks’ ‘Sparks’ EP In Its Entirety

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March 4, 2013
New Music
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chrome sparksJeremy Malvin is a Michigan-resident and a quickly rising star. On stage, he’s known as Chrome Sparks and has inserted himself into that juicy middle-ground between dance music and beats that the kids seem to love these days. Sparks is Malvin’s most complete effort today and is a hugely successful collection of populist tunes that look to everyone from Daedelus to The Flaming Lips for influence. If you’re short on time, head straight to “Send The Time On”, a joint full of prog rock histrionics and some absolutely brilliant melodic tools exemplified in abstracted vocals. Stream the full EP below and head to Bandcamp to grab a free download.

New Rustie – “Slasherr”

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March 4, 2013
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rustie

It’s been quite some time since we’ve heard an all new, serotonin splashing song from Glasgow/LuckyMe/Warp/Numbers pusher Rustie. Since the release of 2011’s Glass Swords, the man born Russell Whyte has released a set of remixes as well as some highly acclaimed, vocalist-assisted retakes of album cuts, but nothing as remotely groundbreaking as his debut LP. And then there was “Slasherr”. Centered around some absurdist trance synth work and even more absurdist (dog yelping?) vocal samples, Rustie splits the difference between Armin Van Buren and DJ Toomp with a little bit of everything else tossed in for good measure. Stream “Slasherr” below (and cop it here) and look out for the full single release on March 18.

Andrea Edits AlunaGeorge’s “Attracting Flies”

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February 27, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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andrea

Along with AlunaGeorge’s latest single, “Attracting Flies”, came news that Baauer and S-Type would be featured on the remix. In the past, the British duo have been remixed by Astral Plane favorites Samo Sound Boy, Bondax and Lil Silva, so the announcement came as no surprise. Before the aforementioned acts get their hands on “Attracting Flies” though, Paris-based producer Andrea has laid down his take. With a sound similar to the R&B inflections of Kastle’s Symbols imprint, Andrea’s remix is hook-heavy and reflective, opting for a slow, half-step pace rather than the original’s glowing speed. The edit is only a bootleg, but is sure worth more than that. Stream and download below.

New Dark Sky – “Confunktion” & “Double U”

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February 27, 2013
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dark skyIn this day and age, just about anyone can download a copy of Logic, Ableton, Reason etc. and make “bass music”. I’m referring less to the actual collection of techno, house, garage and dubstep that has come to be known as “bass music” and more your average bedroom producer’s ability to use software to create bass heavy tracks. Spend 10 minutes watching a Youtube tutorial and your music will “bump”. This development isn’t genre-specific or anything, but it reduced the importance of precise in the production and consumption of sub-bass. There are few producers making truly soundsystem-specific music and even fewer making it in the dubstep realm. Dark Sky are one of the few and should be lauded for their adherence to the low end. The London trio’s next release is dropping on March 18 through (fittingly) Pinch’s Tectonic imprint. Stream “Confuktion” (an ode to the Funktion maybe) below and check out the ecstatic “Double U” after the jump.

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Pcoat Remixes BenZel’s “Fallin’ Love”

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February 27, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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pcoat

In which Friends of Friends affiliate and DC/LA resident Pcoat reduces BenZel’s much remixed “Fallin’ Love” into a primordial soup of choppy synth work, heavily pitched vocals and clicking percussion. The remix repeatedly sounds like it’s going to fall off the tracks into an off-beat “experimental” mish mash, but Pcoat stays the course and steadies the project. I would expect to hear much more from this dude in the future. Stream and download below.

Ryan Hemsworth Contributes The FADER Mix

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February 27, 2013
Mixes, New Music
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ryan hemsworth

Fader mixes have become synonymous  with “the jump” in recent years, from LOL Boys’ sound/year defining effort to the major www introduction to Samo Sound Boy and Body High, many a DJ has separated themselves from the aspiring masses. Ryan Hemsworth is the latest and greatest to contribute to the series and threw together a much talked about tracklist that includes Broken Social Scene (edited with Flocka) seamlessly tied in with Boys II Men and the latest hip hop inspired electronic music (or the other way around if you prefer). It’s eclectic to say the least, but we’ve come to expect that from the Wedidit prankster and most importantly, it works. Shlohmo’s “Out Of hand” (off of the upcoming Laid Out EP) is mashed up with Spaceghostpurrp’s “Osiris Of The East” and then transitioned perfectly into a slowed take on Nosaj Thing’s “Snap”. The last half of the mix appears to be comprised of the tactful pop Hemsworth is either listening to at the moment or has derived some of his sensibilities from. Contemporary acts Chrome Sparks and RAJA appear, as do classique acts like Bjork and Depeche Mode. We can’t predict when (because it’s definitely a when) Hemsworth will emerge from the internet cocoon and into full-blown stardom, but it might just be one or two more mixes like this. Stream and download below.

The Natasha Kmeto Interview

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February 27, 2013
Interviews, New Music
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natasha kmeto

Photo by Patti Miller

Last week, Natasha Kmeto let loose the Dirty Mind Melt EP on Portland label Dropping Gems, an eclectic collection of vocal-driven tunes that balance precariously on the precipice of a number of contemporary electronic music genres. We were lucky enough to catch up with Natasha and get the lowdown on the new EP, her favorite “Ableton performers” and her upcoming Sophomore LP. One might expect such a new, yet highly respected artist to feel some pressure going into only her second official release, but Natasha was/is as cool as ever and is ready to take on the world. Plus this girl loves to dance. Read on below to get the inside scoop on a truly inspirational musician…

Hi Natasha, where are you right now?

I’m just chilling in my apartment in Portland.

So you just finished up a little tour of Colorado and California, how did that go?

It was good. I had four flights in five days so it was a little bit brutal for travel, but I had fun.

Despite your traditional musical upbringing, your music is decidedly experimental, what has influenced you to think outside of the box in that respect?

I’ve always been more inspired as a fan—with all forms of art—with art that’s more progressive and trying to break new ground. I think the idea of doing something that’s trying to be different is just exciting for me.

Hit the jump for the full interview…

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