Moombahton | The Very Best — Yoshua Aikuti (Nadastrom Remix) // Nadastrom “Moombahton Massive” EP
Posted by Spice on May 10, 2012
Nadastrom. My dudes. Moombahton has come an incredibly long way in the past three years, but had Dave Nada not hopped on the decks at that fated house party in 2009 we wouldn’t be talking right now. We love our moombahton here at FNT, so it seems only fitting now to take a moment to check in with the genre’s originators — who have big things in store for us in 2012.
To say that Dave Nada and Will Nordstrom have been busy lately would be an understatement. Their Moombahton Massive brainchild — a wild local dance party that has blown up venues in Miami, Austin, and Chicago — has officially gone international. They just kicked off a North American tour. Their record label, Diabluma Sound, is set to launch on May 22. And on top of all of this, they’re still hard at work. They recently dropped a compilation “Moombahton Massive” EP on Scion A/V in conjunction with some well-worn names (Sabo, Steve Starks, and JWLS), which highlights the genre’s funky, sexy, global roots. The EP is free (!!) and you can preview and download it here. They also just released a feel-good yet positively haunting remix of The Very Best’s “Yoshua Aikuti,” a catchy-as-hell song we suggested could be poised for a global takeover when the video dropped back in April. Nadastrom’s treatment is subtle, chilled out, and a wonderful showcase for Esau Mwamwaya’s soaring vocals. Want to inject some new flavor into your iTunes rotation? This is just the stuff.
Albums, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Electro-House, Progressive House | Seven Lions — Polarize EP
Posted by Sev on April 25, 2012
Has anyone heard a dissapointing Seven Lions track yet, because I haven’t. This EP has been on repeat for the past day few days since its release and I know Mach is on the same boat. What a great combination of genre’s in one EP and variation of sounds that just keep the listener coming back for more. I can’t get enough of Below Us and also the Dnb Remix by Smooth. Every track on this EP is truley unique and astonishing in its own way. I could go on all day talking about how amazing this tracks are, but I would rather let you guys enjoy them yourselves. You can grab a free track off the EP given away by Viper Recordings by clicking Read On. Grab this EP on Beatport HERE.
Moombahton | Moombah Mondays
Posted by Sev on April 23, 2012
So many new sick genre’s emerging out of no where. Trapstyle tracks are slowly becoming a crowd favorite and although there is no exact home for Trap style tracks here yet, I felt they best fit in the Moombah family just bumped up a notch. Be on the lookout for Flosstradamus if you haven’t been already, because these guys are destroying all things in their path. Big ups to them, and you can DL the track in the video description above. Another duo quickly growing in Moombah, gLAdiators, with this dope remix releasing soon.
Adding Vaski now to the list of artist producing Moombahton. When I heard this track I was quickly reminded of Helicopter Showdowns – Dramatron VIP. Nevertheless, great track overall from him.
Aylen is back at it again with his popish, electro, trance Moombahton. Obviously he doesn’t like to restrict himself to one mindset, which is clearly working for him and giving signs of new life to Moombahton. The only problem is I can’t put up a preview because he is having Soundcloud copyright issues so you have to click the link below to listen to track. The download link is provided on Soundcloud as well.
FYI | An Open Letter To… The Weeknd
Posted by A on April 15, 2012
Dear Weeknd,
I watched you perform in the desert as the sun set on Coachella tonight. What you’ve done for music as of late has been notable to say the least. With a matter of three projects and no radio play, you’ve single handedly brought credibility back to genre marred with bubble gum hooks and general foolishness. Your music is nothing short of genius, but I have a bone to pick. Actually, it’s quite a big bone. Your live performance just plain sucks.
I sat at my computer watching the live stream of your performance in absolute shock. The whole blogosphere and Twitterverse was in shock. Even the fans watching the show were shocked. They stood there just as bewildered as I was watching from home. They couldn’t even muster enough enthusiasm for an encore. You ran off the stage awkwardly with your hands to your side like something out of Jon Heder’s “Napoleon Dynamite.” It was that bad.
Look, I get it. That’s a huge stage. They threw you in the deep end and forced you to swim. You’re a new artist. You’re still developing your stage presence. It’s like anything else, it just takes practice. Even Frank Ocean’s stage performance was poor at best. That I’ll let you slide on. What I won’t let you get away with was your vocal performance. Half of your songs weren’t even in the right key. Drake should have bought you some floaties because you sank miserably.
Despite your slopping showing, I’m still a fan. I’ll still come to your shows, listen to your music all by myself in a dark room, and buy your debut album when it comes out. You’re making music that nobody else has the ability to make, and we celebrate you for that. However, tonight we all learned that you were less invincible than previously thought. And in a strange way, makes you more likable.
Sincerely,
FYI | The Problem With… Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye
Posted by A on March 18, 2012
It was 2:32 in the morning when I first discovered The Weeknd’s brilliant “House of Ballons” project. I remember exactly where I was when I first downloaded it. I was a second semester senior in college pulling an all-nighter in a hotel on the eve of my last final exam. Fast asleep in the bed next to me was a ladyfriend who I was dating at the time, sleeping soundly while I was enveloped by The Weeknd’s ethereal sound. I didn’t realize I would be listening to the man largely responsible for bringing credibility back to a genre ruined by celebratory anthems promoting debauchery and licentiousness.
Despite The Weeknd’s significant impact on the blogosphere, he’s encountered a problem. As The Weeknd continues to operate under a microscope, the mystique around his carefully crafted brand will slowly erode. At the core of his brand is a “smoke and mirrors” philosophy- a deliberate effort to avoid public appearances and interviews- going against the traditional marketing grain. His philosophy, although astute, can’t be a sustainable long term strategy. The Weeknd will eventually be required to step out of the alternate universe that he’s created for himself.
Performances also present a problem for The Weeknd. The mournful melodies and cerebral quality of his message doesn’t lend itself to the usual trappings of a live show. The Weeknd’s music is often experienced in private rather than with a group of friends. The private nature of his music makes it difficult to translate into an experience at a live show. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be singing about glass tables girls next to a fellow bro. It just wouldn’t feel right.
Despite my own perspective, many questions remained unanswered about The Weeknd. Rumors have swirled about his sexuality, 11 million dollar record deal, and more. Whether a carefully crafted marketing ploy or happenstance, people are abuzz about the enigmatic artist, and understandably so. Perhaps most telling is his recently released “Rolling Stone” off his “Thursday” project. He cryptically croons, “Baby, I got you/ until you’re used to my face, and my mystery fades,” signaling that he may be more self-aware than previously thought. Only time will tell whether Abel will be able to maintain his image while inevitably becoming more mainstream.
What do you think? Sound off in our new comment section below.
Alternative | Burial & Four Tet – Nova
Posted by W8 on March 6, 2012
I’m all ears when it comes to music. Sonically, there is nothing I wouldn’t consider worth my ears. I developed a passion for experimental music long ago, and watched it grow into the sensation it is today. When I caught the amount of attention this track was getting I had to take the opportunity to prove just that. Soundcloud wise, this record in one days time has more plays than Avicii’s hit Levels had managed to get in 4 months. If that doesn’t prove the rocketing of experimental music, what could.
Alternative, post-dubstep, experimental, however many labels you wish to name. There will always be artists that act as stubborn children in that their driven to produce what not only blurs the lines of genre but makes it absurd for you to even try and categorize in one. From the likes of Mount Kimbie, Jamie XX, Lapalux, Arthur Russell, Shlohmo and of course Burial and Four Tet, these are just a few of the many talents still left waiting for the masses to catch up with their past.
My public service announcement is as follows: Thanks goes out to the late great Steve Jobs for the creation of the iPod, making music no longer sonically racist in a time when you felt you had to fit into a particular genre like a pair of clothes and not dare dabble in any others. And thanks to the makers of Soundcloud for broadening our view of music into the sonic playground it is today. Records like Nova say more than words ever will, take a listen.
Progressive House | Arty, Matisse & Sadko – Trio
Posted by Middy on March 5, 2012
Finally the day has come after months of being played out and being teased on various radio shows, Arty & Matisse & Sadko’s gem, “Trio” has been released. Matisse & Sadko are really making a name for themselves right now with their remix released yesterday and now with the release of “Trio”, they are quickly rising to the top in the progressive house genre. Arty is firmly planting himself as one of the most versatile Djs out there with his ability to make amazing trance and uplifting progressive house tracks, crossing genre boundaries and showing that an artist is not defined by genre, but rather to the music they make. This song is what you need to get you through the week into the weekend, so get this now.