House, Techno | Cassy – fabric 71
Posted by Spice on August 16, 2013
With Electric Zoo 2013 drawing closer and closer, it’s time to start doing your homework on the lineup so that you’re guaranteed to get the most out of the weekend. One of the places we’re most excited to hit is the notorious Sunday School Grove, which will be churning out deep house all day on Friday (and indeed, all weekend) until a sure-to-be-awesome closing set from the legendary Danny Tenaglia. Who, of course, is from New York. Fitting.
Friday’s lineup in the Grove is stacked, but we’re particularly stoked to check out British-born/Austria-rasied/Berlin-based Cassy, who has been taking dance floors the world over by storm. She’s maintained no less than four residencies in 2013, including at the much-touted Output in Brooklyn. In advance of her set, we strongly encourage you to check out her upcoming mix for London’s fabric, which is funky, atmospheric, and expertly crafted. Stream a promo mix below, and check out the full track list after the jump.
Preorder on iTunes: Cassy – fabric 71
Fabric 71: Cassy – 30 Minute Radio Mix by Fabric on Mixcloud
Electronic, House, Techno | Balance Presents Guy J
Posted by Spice on August 5, 2013
“Oh. Wow.”
That was my reaction after getting about four minutes into Guy J’s mix for the second volume of Balance Music’s Balance Presents series — and I’m happy to say that the mind blowing factor only increases as the mix progresses. The best sets take you on a journey, and here the Israeli producer (and John Digweed protege) accomplishes just that. Will this get you seriously in the zone on the dance floor? Yes. Will it also provide the perfect counterpoint to a tedious Excel-based work project during the 9-to-5 hours? Absolutely. Guy J’s lush, melancholic style just works like that. In fact, in terms of vibe alone, this mix kind of reminds me of late 90’s Paul Oakenfold (albeit with a bit of a bpm differential) — because for 80 otherworldy minutes, it manages to hit every stirring and atmospheric note in the book. To shamelessly borrow from SNL’s Stefon, this mix has everything: deep builds, sitars, eerie vocals, psychedelic soundscapes, and melodies that will haunt your dreams. Cruise over to Beatport for the full package and check out the entire tracklist after the jump.
Beatport: Balance Presents Guy J
House, Techno | Boys Noize – Go Hard EP
Posted by Spice on June 25, 2013
Is there anyone out there quite like Boys Noize? With his latest EP, the aptly titled Go Hard, the talented Mr. Ridha once again proves that he’s pretty much in a league of his own. His high octane brand of acid house is present in each of the five new tracks debuted yesterday (with the possible exception of “Starwin,” which is replete with acidy squelches but ultimately a buoyant disco confection), but the more remarkable feat is the level of versatility he displays. The EP veers from ominous and consummately analogue (“Inhale/Exhale”) to techno meets trap with notes of hardstyle (the titular “Go Hard”) to the aforementioned “Starwin,” which sounds like something Madeon might make after watching the full Discovery video and then sucking down a bunch of nitrous. “Excuse Me” (escoooooz me) and “Push Em Up” are both hard-nosed dance floor jams that are impossible not to move to. Go Hard is well worth the cost of an iTunes download — in the grand Boys Noize tradition, it manages to be dark, fun, energetic and fresh all at once.
iTunes: Boys Noize – Go Hard EP
Techno | Gesaffelstein – Pursuit
Posted by Spice on June 19, 2013
The latest single from Gesaffelstein dropped earlier this week on OWSLA (OWSLA: continuing to kill it in 2013), and boy is it a dark one. Anyone with a flair for the sinister will immediately appreciate the accompanying video that the tech house maven released in tandem with the track — it deftly heightens the tension and uneasiness of the song itself. Not exactly what you’d consider standard summertime fare, but definitely a fascinating listen.
iTunes: Gesaffelstein – Pursuit
House, Techno | Telepopmusik – Breathe (Gazzo Remix)
Posted by Mach on June 4, 2013
Gazzo is back again with another bumping club jam. This is a great track to remix, I am surprised not many other producers have dipped into the great potential these vocals have. Gazzo packed this remix up with nothing but Summer vibes, a sick track kick off a rager this season.
Free Download: Telepopmusik – Breathe (Gazzo Remix)
Moombahton, Techno | Alesia – Otho & Andrea // Tune In Crew – Tous dehors
Posted by Spice on April 30, 2013
I’m not sure why I’m lumping these tracks together. They’re really only similar in that that they are cool, free, and happen to have been written by French producers. But given that we’re now only a few weeks away from Random Access Memories, it seems sort of appropriate to cast a spotlight on some of France’s brightest up-and-comers. So, without further adieu…
First up, two new tracks from Alesia, whom you may recall recently made waves with the
now-omnipresent “Bird Machine.” Be advised: “Andrea” and “Otho” are not trap — both are dark, industrial techno carefully calibrated to get inside your head. Fellow Parisian Gesaffelstein would undoubtedly approve. If this is your poison, hop on the free DLs…and if not, do me a favor and give it a chance. Relative newcomers though they may be, Alesia are definitely a duo to keep your eyes on.
Next (and finally) we have a really interesting track that’s currently putting a gigantic smile on my face. I’m not sure what it is about “Tous dehors” — the languorous moombah bassline, the steel drum (and all the dancehall flavor it imparts), the French samples…but something about this gels fantastically when it probably shouldn’t. Super chouette!
Techno, Trance | Oscillator Z – Perpetually Finite
Posted by Mach on February 19, 2013
Oscillator Z has definitely been the topic of the past couple weeks. He has been releasing one great free track after another. This time he hits us with a Trance/Techno twist. The melody of this track is ever-sweet and matches the robotic vibe that the vocals send out.