Exclusive, Featured, Interviews | Oliver Heldens Talks Evolution, Beard Care, Upcoming Productions and More (FNT Exclusive)
Posted by Middy on February 12, 2014
Holland made its way onto the global dance music scene with dutch house and then trance. It soon, alongside Sweden, became one of the powerhouse nations for dance music. In 2014 there is a new sound emanating from its cloudy, flat and rainy populace, something deeper and more groove driven, the sound that Oliver Heldens is bringing to the world.
The 18 year old had an abrupt change in sound at the end of 2013, going from a harder, electro sound to the current, “big room deep house” style that adds energy and style to a genre that can be flat and monotonous at times (yes some deep house can be boring). His career has exploded since then with the release of “Gecko” on Musical Freedom, first unveiled as an “ID” tune, an idea he loves, and has landed him the high-profile remix for Martin Garrix’s “Animals” and acclaim and support from DJs across all genres. He is set to blow up this year and we were able to ask him a few questions about his change in style, ghost producing, labels marketing songs as “IDs” and much more. Read on for the interview.
Electro-House | W&W – Bigfoot
Posted by Middy on February 10, 2014
“Bigfoot” is here. Their first single since last May thunders into your living room via iTunes library, neighboring club or festival. The success of their sound has attracted innumerable imitators from artists far and wide across dance music, but they continue to be the best at what they do. “Bigfoot” is just another testament to that, so hit play and prepare for the onslaught.
Beatport: W&W – Bigfoot
Dubstep, Progressive House | Denzal Park & Dave Winnel – The Great Valley
Posted by Middy on February 9, 2014
A trio of under rated producers from down under come together to create something that is very different for both parties. They have become known for their clubby, progressive house, and with “The Great Valley” they keep some of that sound, but go for something a little more mellow and different. They eschew the trend of big drops and go for something more soothing, with long melodic segments that almost act as though they are narrating some epic journey, only to be interrupted by a Seven Lions-esque dubstep bridge. It is great to see artists experiment outside of their comfort zone, and even better to see it work and it does here in “The Great Valley”.
Electro-House, Progressive House | Chris Avantgarde – Colours, Discovery
Posted by Mel on February 5, 2014
Chris Avantgarde is a relatively unknown German producer who, aside from the mysterious release on Size that has yet to come to fruition, has largely flown under the radar. Although his releases have been few and far between, he has been busy producing and is now providing us with a constant stream of tracks. “Colours” and “Discovery” are his first two songs he has given away. “Colours” is a typical progressive track lead by a big melody and “Discovery” is his take on electro house and the current festival sound. The drop in “Discovery” is not the most inspired but the breakdown in it is great.
Free Download: Chris Avantgarde – Colours
Free Download: Chris Avantgarde – Discovery
Bass | DJ SNAKE – Turn Down For What (Dotcom’s Retwerk)
Posted by Juicebox on February 3, 2014
Just when you thought “Turn Down For What” was dead, Dotcom brings this anthem back to life with his signature style heavy hitting sound. Coming off a huge past couple of months, Dotcom recently signed to Circle Talent Agency home to Flux Pavilion, Crizzly, & Protohype, and more! With touring now in the mix, it’s safe to say Dotcom is about to have a big year.
Progressive House | Disfunktion & Chris Arnott – Right Now
Posted by Mel on February 3, 2014
Much like the hit love song of the early 2000’s, T Pain’s “I’m ‘n Luv (Wit a Stripper)”, Disfunktion, a Dutch progressive house duo has not been at the forefront of peoples minds recently. It has been a while since their last official release but that has now changed. They teamed up with Australian vocalist Chris Arnott on “Right Now”, their newest offering on Zouk Recordings. In 2011 and 2012, they put out a lot of remixes and bootlegs and became known for their uplifting, progressive sound. That didn’t hold up however, as they have gone for a harder, not as melodic or generic sound since then. They have merged those two styles and the result is what we have now, a song with the uplifting feel of their early stuff as well as an example of their newer work. It’s good to see them progressing as artists because, quite honestly, their productions were starting to feel pretty bland by the end of 2012.
Beatport: Disfunktion & Chris Arnott – Right Now
Electro, Mix | 813 – Diplo and Friends Mix
Posted by dshaq on February 3, 2014
The other day I saw that 813 would be releasing his own Diplo and Friends mix and I near jumped out of my socks with excitement. A sound similar to those of Wave Racer, Trippy Turtle, and Cashmere Cat, 813 throws down an insane mix, even previewing of one of his new songs. Whether you’re trying to chill or party, it’s a perfect mix that will cater to any mood. So sit back, enjoy the vibes, and peep the mix below.