Tag: edm

ICEKREAM – “SQUEEZE ME”

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Originality is essential to any art, but in the EDM world, it’s everything. If you sound like one of the other thousands of artists producing on their laptop, you’re not going to get very far in your career. A DJ and producer has to be confident in their sound and give no fucks about what is currently happening in the music scene. They have to hold onto their ideas, and love themselves first. And that’s exactly what IceKream does on his new track, “Squeeze Me.”

soundsnobz

Two days ago,  IceKream, the mysterious half of SoundSnobz (the other half would be the very public Troyboi) dropped his latest track on Soundcloud and it already has over 38.5k  plays and 3,000 likes. Needless to say, this original anthem is picking up steam and it’s easy to see why. His jazzy house beats and chill vibes carry the track to levels of love. Like you’re being bear hugged by some blue jazz. After it’s done you just want to give Icekream a big. . .ol. . .squeeze and that ain’t no euphoric jive.

 

HYDDE & MOONZZ – ANYTHING YOU WANT

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Fresh from the artist’s board, L.A. Pop vocalist MOONZz and Hydde–the latest electronic project from David Pramik–team up for the dreamy track, “Anything You Want.”

While she’s been writing and performing music for some time, MOONZz broke into the public eye with the release of her 2015 debut single, “Satisfy.” She’s kept 2016 busy with the release of several fire tracks including a cover of the Fugees, “Killing Me Softly.”

 

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“Anything You Want,” is a happy-go-dancy EDM track that manages to make the listener feel there is a deeper, more profound subtext. It’s the third single released off her upcoming, Trust Cycles EP, to be released September 9. Less than a week, Euphoric readers. Keep your ears open and eyes to our page for the review.

 

Lulacruza – Comandante ( Kr3ture Remix)

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South American folk duo, Lulacruza, beautifully combines traditional, Latin American music with subtle, modern electronic beats to create a style that’s as current as it is ancient. Last year they released, Orcas, which featured a particularly rich and soothing track called “Comandante.”

Alejandra Ortiz’s shamanic voice travels through the listeners third eye while the Luis Maurette’s instrumentation transports anyone in ear shot to a different time and place. I know, sounds pretty fucking hippy, but I wouldn’t lie to you, my loyal reading public. It’s so good I immediately texted a close friend to check it out. Pretty exciting stuff.

lula

However, I was shocked to see Santa Cruz DJ, Kr3ture, had a remix of “Comandante” on Lulacruz’s latest version of Orcas Remixed: Vol. 5. mainly because why-the-fuck had I not heard about this?!? Afterall, I already knew Kr3ture had great taste in music and he proves it with the remix.

His “Comandante” captures the etheral spirit of the original but speeds it up for the dancing crowd. Well, for the chill dancing crowd at the end of the night, which is always my jam anyways (thanks weed!).  Ortiz’s lyrics haunt the background of the track while his active beats liven up mix. Sit down, straighten up and euphorically meditate to this dynamic new song.

 

TROYBOI – VOYAGER

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Fresh off last month’s Northern Nights–and a few side gigs– TroyBoi continues his prolific career. This week the British producer and DJ dropped “Voyager,” a three minute experience into the mood of sound. The spaced-out intro and violin synth wrap the track in a warm blanket of comforting tunes unlike other artists producing an instrumental track.

Whether you’re looking for something introverted, existential, or just a damn good track to chill to, TroyBoi offers you his best. Even if it’s just something he created in a couple of minutes.

Then again, maybe that’s the point. Afterall, it’s called “Voyager.” Maybe instead of over-analyzing the subtle nuances, and diving into every aspect of the track, maybe it should be appreciated. Maybe, just maybe, it’s one of those songs you  need to hear at 3am with a glass of high class bourbon, a tightly rolled joint of Lemon Tree weed, and a good friend to share the times with.

Shit.

I dunno fam. Maybe, maybe not. However, I do know no matter what state of mind or reference I’m in, I enjoy these three minutes and have replayed them over and over again.

Take the Voyage with TroyBoi and make sure to catch him on his Pacific NorthWest Tour this Fall in San Francisco on October 8th 2016 at the Regency Ballroom in Arcata on October 9th.

 

AABO – ALMOST DOESN’T COUNT

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Long Live 90’s R&B! So says Aabo. Or, at least, he subliminally says in his latest track, an updated and remixed version of Brandy’s “Almost Doesn’t Count.”  The San Francisco DJ and member of world-funk collective, Afromassive dropped his latest track on Monday and it digs deep.

Aabo does Brandy’s vocals justice by keeping them on the track. Her soulful cry for a love she realizes will never go anywhere delivers the feels in all the right places. But while the original, 1998 track caries a twinge of hope through the music–even if things can’t get better, Brandy realizes she is an independent woman who doesn’t need a man–Aabo’s remix kills the dreamer’s dream.

While that might sound harsh, I actually love his vision of this track as a down-and-out, the world is painted in a depressing hue of blue. It’s slower. It’s mournful. It’s tragic. And it would go perfectly for that time of night when everyone in the club is winding down and trying to find some sort of deeper connection with that gyrating body in front of them.

Just remember: everybody knows, almost doesn’t count. And never be afraid to let go.

GETTER – WAT THE FRICK

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Tanner Petulla–otherwise known as the artist Getter–has been having a great 2016. The San Jose born, turned Los Angeles, producer has been signed to Skrillex’s OWSLA label for about a year and has released a slew of music. Earlier this year he released the Radical Dude! EP and produced Underground Underdog by Pouya along with $uicideboy$, Radical $uicide, both slamming bodies of work on their own accord. Not to mention the numerous singles, remixes and guest appearances he’s done throughout the year. On top of all that, last month the prolific artist released a high-budget, high-resolution, beautiful and creepy video for “Forget It,” featuring Santa Cruz born artist, TREE.

 

Never one to wait on the sidelines, Getter recently dropped his latest original track, “Wat the Frick,” a 4.5 minute journey back to his dubstep roots. But this is no ordinary bass fest. Getter combines the wompiness of dubstep with high energy and happy, Tetris-like melodies for a track as bizarre and colorful as the track’s art.

 

After a few listens, it’s plain to see the song’s title is spot on.
Keep checking back to see the latest happenings with Getter as the year is only half-way over and it’s sure to bring a helluva lot more from this rising producer. 

 

BANKS & STEELZ – SPEEDWAY SONORA

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I think it’s safe to say, 2016 has been fucking weird. From Donald Trump’s winning campaign to grown-ass adults catching Pokemon, there has been no aspect of this year that hasn’t raised an eyebrow and the music world is no different.

So far, this bizarro reality of a year has taken from us (RIP Nicholas “Pumpkin” Alvarado, Bowie, Prince and others) and delivered a plethora of  “what in the actual fuck?” moments. In this vein I present to you: Banks & Steelz, one of the strangest, never-would’ve-thought-would-happen-or-work-but-if-Trump-is-winning-anything-is-possible collaborations this year.

Ready?

bs2

 

Banks & Steelz is none other than Paul Banks of Interpol and RZA. Yeah, straight from the Wu-Tang, aka Prince Rakeem aka Bobby Digital (or did he drop that one?).  Now, I’m all for strange collaborations and recently wrote on here about the Claypool Lennon Delirium. Hell, Sam Working’s review of the new Blink 182 even had me check out a few songs (discovered I still can’t stomach them, but I realized this is the territory Skiba wishes he could take Alkaline these days). However, when I first heard about Banks & Steelz, I raised a very doubtful eyebrow.

Oh me of little faith.

My first exposure to their music was driving to Arcata from the Northern Nights Festival. I was still trying to input, decipher and understand what-in-the-hell had just happened the previous weekend when this track came on.

Damn.

Not only is the music on point with a mix of guitars and electronic beats–the best of both Wu and Interpol–but RZA sounds better than he has in years. After 4 minutes of having my mind blown, the XM DJ mentioned they have already dropped two previous tracks, “Giant” and “Love + War,” so I had to listen.

Holy shit, you guys.

I must admit, RZA is lyrically more on point and spitting fire on these two tracks compared to “Speedway Sonora,” but that doesn’t take away from the fact that all three tracks are bangers. Each will be featured on the forthcoming album, Anything But Words dropping August 26.

 

 

 

 

 

LABRAT – LEMON TREE

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Fresh off the producer’s board and straight to your earholes we present Labrat’s latest track, “Lemon Tree.” The 29 year old Santa Cruz producer broke into the scene six years ago with his remix of XX’s “Crystalized,” which went viral on YouTube, earning him an international audience. In 2011 he dropped his debut EP, “Test Subject,” and has continued pushing the boundaries of the EDM scene to last year’s three song EP, “Break The Cage.”

“Lemon Tree” is Labrat’s freshest and most organically local material, named after the Santa Cruz medicinal strain turned brand. The track itself is a euphoric high of reggae with dubstep break downs and electronic build-ups. Floating over and throughout are mellow vocals reminding the listener to take a breath and chill in a cloud of the citrus goodness. Trust me, homie. You’re gonna wanna hear this shit.

Hit play on this fire track and prepare for Labrat’s sets at Northern Nights, this weekend on the–you guessed it–Lemon Tree stage,  and Organic Fest (August 12-14) in Wilseyville, California. Don’t be that person who won’t have anything to talk about with your crew because you slipped.

 

 

SNAFU – “PIPETTE UP” BY HEROBUST (SNAFU REMIX)

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Fans of Drum & Bass, get ready for this one. San Francisco DJ, Snafu, recently remixed Herobust’s “Pipette Up” and it sounds like the most insane night on drugs I’ve had in a while.

While the original is more on the lean side, as in sizzurpy slow, Snafu injects the track with a dose of molly and quicker timing.

The track comes a month before his appearance at the debut, Organic Fest, in Northern California. Click on the link but make sure you get to a safe place with some comfort food before you do.

TROYBOI – “SENSEI”

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He might have trap beats, but don’t call Troyboi a “trap producer.” In an interview 2 years ago on EDM.com, the 28 year old Londoner said:

“I feel I’m still evolving, and I can’t wait to take it a step further. I couldn’t think of anything worse than being labeled as a ‘Trap Producer’ in a non-evolving genre, stuck making the same old beat pattern, same drum kit, same 808, same synths with the same old formula. I don’t believe in being a one-trick-pony; I’d rather be a five-trick-platypus.”

and over the past two years he’s pulled out more than five tricks.

troyboi

Taking inspiration from the entertainment media–along with his India, Nigerian, Chinese and Portuguese heritage, the platypus of EDM creates intricate and strange beats that flow with Middle Eastern influence for a modern world.

His latest track, “Sensei,” is three and a half minutes of uncommon sounds stirred to electronic perfection. True, the foundation lies on a trap beat, yet Troyboi builds the structure out of flutes, violins and rhythmic chanting culminating in a track that shows he still has a lot to teach the rest of the music world. Smoke some sensimilla, and listen to “Sensei” in that euphoric state of mind.