Alternative, Indie | Painted Zeros – SVALBARD EP (Free Download)

Posted by on July 24, 2014

Painted Zeros

The debut EP from Brooklyn-based Painted Zeros is, for lack of a better word, awesome. The five tracks comprising SVALBARD are an assertive and creatively varied journey through the psyche of singer/songwriter/guitar player/producer/jack of all trades Katie Lau. No fillers here, unless you count 30 seconds of tight experimental wandering halfway through — the EP ranges from deceptively fragile and New Order-tinged (“This American Life”) to ecstatic and garage rock-y (“Jaime”) to moody-yet-hopeful-yet-delicate-yet-steely (“Too Drunk”). It manages to feel at once retro and searingly modern — a tricky balance attempted by many but achieved by few. Check out SVALBARD in full below and hit the free download, because free download.

Free Download: Painted Zeros – SVALBARD EP

Electro, Trap | Daytrip – Flight 43 (NYC)

Posted by on April 9, 2014

Before deeming any new music as something special it needs to pass my three-stage exam. Make no mistake, this is not an easy feat as the song or artist must sound equally glorious through headphones, car speakers, and desktop speakers. This morning sealed the deal, and Daytrip has officially passed the test.

Their first official release is entitled “Flight 43”, and it seems quite fitting. The song builds for take-off, and cruises through an exciting ride –is there such thing as pleasant turbulence?– before finally slowing down to land, awaiting their next journey. Although it is the first song public on SoundCloud, it’s apparent the Daytrip duo is not new to making music. And, any look through their travel-log/tumblr will show you that this product has been a long time coming.

Daytrip’s sound is one that is difficult to pinpoint. While some may knock “Flight 43 (NYC)” for trying to do too much, I hear a song that is incredibly cohesive, despite its numerous experimental features. Listeners can hear a Jacuzzi/Mr. Carmack future-trap influence alongside a shredded guitar sample, all packaged in to an “ambitious powerhouse production” (Confusion, P&P).

In a day and age where music is becoming a “less is more” game, Daytrip is an exciting, unexpected and refreshing twist.

Chill, Electronic | Vancouver Sleep Clinic & GXNXVS – Hold On We’re Going Home (Drake Cover)

Posted by on January 28, 2014

I know we’ve all heard a lot of Drake covers and remixes recently, but Vancouver Sleep Clinic & GXNXVS’s cover is a standout. They did their own vocals, and basically flipped the whole song around. Their take on the song is incredibly refreshing. Chill and eerie, the bass filled choruses will take your mind to another place. They’ve taken experimental R&B to another level. This moody and sultry track is definitely worth a listen, or five.

Vancouver Sleep Clinic | GXNXVS

DO SOMETHING

Bass, Deep House | Funkystepz – Loveshy EP

Posted by on January 14, 2014

If you haven’t already, meet Funkystepz, a UK-based bass//garage//house//whatever-tickles-your-fancy producing collective. I’m still playing catch up from my holiday hiatus but their latest release, Loveshy EP, is not to be overlooked. In fact, it’s a really well-rounded EP, with a deep house feel running consistent throughout however also considerably versatile and experimental featuring some incredible vocals. These guys have provided you with a perfect track for whatever mood you may be in. My personal favorites include “Feel The Vibe” feat. Monique (oh, you’ll feel it alright) and the über-funky-moomba-house meets Jersey club, “Light Up” feat. Sim Devine. The EP is available for free download, as well as most of their other releases via Facebook. Get down on it.

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FREE DOWNLOAD: Funkystepz – Loveshy EP

Electronic, House, Techno | George FitzGerald – Magnetic

Posted by on December 18, 2013

george_fitzgerald2

It’s a commonly held belief among the underground that Berlin is the ultimate vanguard when it comes to electronic music. “The shit coming out of Germany these days is way more innovative and experimental and compelling than anything in the US, man! Have you even been to Berghain?”

But when you spend 2013 listening to Disclosure, and then you’re suddenly confronted by a track like “Magnetic,” it becomes increasingly difficult to discount the UK as one of the biggest breeding grounds for #FutureGarageSpacetronica talent. With his latest, George FitzGerald (recently named one of the top 50 DJs in the world by none less than Resident Advisor) delivers a deliciously spacey listening experience that seems tailor made for late nights and early mornings alike. Dark, deep synths drive the melody, while eerie vocals and a pounding bassline add another heady layer to the vibe. Stream below and head to Beatport for the DL.

And if you’re in the US (you east coast dogs), be sure to catch this rising star’s upcoming live dates; he’ll be at the legendary Output in Brooklyn tomorrow and the equally legendary U Street Music Hall in DC on Friday. Get it while it’s hot — he’s swinging back to Switzerland and the UK after these two brief but epic US stops. More details can be found here.

Beatport: George FitzGerald – Magnetic

Electronic | iamnobodi – Needs & Wants & Bad Habits

Posted by on December 5, 2013

IAMNOBODI dropped a sweet new EP called “Needs & Wants & Bad Habits”. This experimental electronic EP is full of positive vibes. I think my favorite track on this EP is “Recreate”, but they’re all awesome – just take my word for it. You can download this for free on Bandcamp, or support him by picking a price.

IAMNOBODI

Free Download: IAMNOBODI – Needs & Wants & Bad Habits

Albums, Electronic | Hot Sugar – Made Man EP

Posted by on October 3, 2013

These past few weeks have been pretty exciting as far as music is concerned, literally one great release after another: Halcyon Days Deluxe, Kiss Land, 20/20 Part 2, Nothing Was The Same, Pure Heroine, shit I hardly get to finish one album before it’s time to download another. Well make some room in your schedule and hard drive, kiddos, because today I present to you Hot Sugar’s latest release, Made Man, and once you start this EP you’re not gonna be able to turn away from it.

I was initially turned on to the New York City based producer by his eclectic remixes and fresh, innovative beats. Beats which are developed by the “Associative Music” technique, which essentially means Hot Sugar captures and records sounds from literally any and everywhere and transforms them beautifully into the tracks you hear now. Pretty wild. “If I point to a butterfly or a fire hydrant and say, ‘Hey, you’re in my band now, so play this,’ it will do it and no one can legally stop me,” said Hot Sugar, more formally known as Nick Koenig, in an interview with Complex.

But back to the EP, the whole thing flows so well and has this juicy, addicting vibe. Artsy, grungy, and totally rad. Like, Gorillaz meets A$AP Rocky meets Handsome Boy Modeling School in a Brooklyn subway station rhyme-spittin’ showdown. Each track features word play from artists such as, but not limited to, Big Baby Ghandi, Chippy Nonstop, Heems, Antown, and Kitty. My personal favorite? “*In & Out*,” featuring KOOL A.D.

 

You can download the EP fo’ freeeeeee (or Name Your Price) via Bandcamp. And while you’re listening, I’d highly recommend the following:

Diving into this easy read about Hot Sugar featured in 1.21 Gigawatts magazine (page 23)
-Learning more about Associate Music here, and the exact sounds Hot Sugar uses along with his creative process (that is, if you can handle the Comic Sans)
-Watch this video of Hot Sugar’s pet rat, Sarah Michelle Gellar, create the foundation for “Watermelon”
-Enjoy.

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