Tag: Euphoric Styles

SoundSnobz – CTRL

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Ok, I’m going to admit it. I’m not really what you would call an EDM fan. Born and raised in Rock ‘N Roll, I graduated to punk, jazz, soul, outlaw country and metal. Basically every damn thing I could get my hands onto besides electronic music.

Then, the gods that be decided to get a good chuckle and I scored a job writing for Euphoric.net. Now I’m nipple-deep in bass, trap, house, and other electronic music I’m actually starting to ENJOY the damn stuff. Oh irony, you tricky fox.

Recently, I was shown UK producer Troyboi, and discovered just how artistic this genre can be. I jumped on the chance to work the Euphoric Press Tent at Northern Nights this last July curious not only for the adventure, but to check out Troyboi’s set. And he did not disappoint. His electrifying energy and unique style shocked even the most critical parts of my brain into admitting I was witnessing something pure, original and new. But again, I’m late to the party.

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“CTRL” the latest release from SoundSnobz–Troyboi’s collaboration project with IceKream–was released yesterday on Elysian Records and fits nicely in the band’s discography. “CTRL” continues the duo’s innovative style while keeping the track firmly anchored with an infectious beat. While they aren’t reinventing the wheel with this one, it still ventures into experimental territory at times, keeping the song fresh and alive.

Is this this sign of more, new SoundSnobz tunes to come? Stay tuned!

LABRAT – CALIFORNIA CONDOR

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For those who have been paying attention in a euphoric manner, Santa Cruz DJ and Producer, LabRat, isn’t a new name. The 25 year old Bass engineer has been rocking the scene since 2010, when he released his remix of the XX’s “Crystalized” to great acclaim. Since then, he has crafted his own unique style of dubstep and EDM, blowing up the Bay Area and festival scene.

Yesterday he dropped his latest track, “California Condor,” a three and a half minute flight through his trippy brain on  MalLabel Music. Unlike the track’s namesake, the Bass scene is in no way close to being labeled “critically endangered,” especially if Labrat has anything to say about it.

“California Condor” soars through the musical genre, with pockets of  high-pitched electronic glitchiness guiding the track through an open space of heavy bass. There are no low valleys here, just peaks of happiness to gaze down upon while the instrumentals. So get comfy, place your tray tables and seats in the upright position, and brace yourself for a sonic adventure through the mind’s sky.

 

 

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.”

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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.

 

OH BEARS! – DRUGS AND BLASPHEMY (SELF-MEDICATE)

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Ok, folk music is not really Euphoric’s forte. However, local artists are. So when Santa Cruz folk duo, Oh, Bears! dropped their newest recording on Soundcloud I pounced on it like Yogi on a picnic basket.

For the past couple of years, Kyle Nosler (guitar/lead vocals) and Dan Lamothe (stand-up bass. You might also recognize him as the bassist for local punk outfit, Stellar Corpses) have rocked the local circuit as Oh, Bears! Steeped in dusty road stories, their music is more country folk than anything, but the energy and ethics of punk is undeniably there.

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“Drugs and Blasphemy (Self-Medicate)” is a perfect example. Anyone familiar with their live show will immediately recognize the tune, as it’s been a fan favorite for some time. It begins with a rich melody carried by self-conscious lyrics of someone in the throws of addiction and the fast, rock ‘n roll lifestyle. The somber opening quickly crescendo’s into a fast-paced, whirlwind chorus fueled by whiskey and chemicals. As the audiences head spins further and further down the musical self-medication, Lamothe and Nosler abruptly halted the tornado for the next verse. Trust me, when they play this live, even people who hate dancing find our feet moving without rhyme or reason.

Keep on the lookout for the next time they play and I’ll stay on top of the recordings for your euphoric listening. Crossing my fingers this will be the first of many new recordings to come in the near future.

 

YUNG YOGI – NO LOVE (PRODUCED BY GETTER)

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Last year vocalist, Gus Farias–ex-singer for Los Angeles metalcore outfit, Volumes,–shocked the underground music world when he dropped his solo, hip hop EP, The Saiyan Saga, under the name Yung Yogi. The six track release surprisingly had some jams, particularly “James Brown,” with his gangsta beat and accompanying video featuring weed, Hennessy and–what appears to be–flintlock, pirate pistols.

His latest track just dropped and we’re scooping it up. Produced by the one and only Getter, “No Love” is a short, one minute and fifteen second song that’s on point with lyrics and music. “Bitch, I told you I don’t want no love” he screams halfway through the track and you know what? I believe him.Who says you need 3 minutes to get your point across? Definitely not Yung Yogi.

Whether the minute song is a fun side project, or a glimpse of things to come on a new EP, Yogi isn’t giving any info. But he certainly has our attention. Stay tuned, Euphoric readers.

 

 

 

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.

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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.

 

DJ TRIPP – STRANGER HEATHENS

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What’s better than two awesome things coming together to create perfection? Peanut Butter and Jelly. Whiskey and Coke. Gatorade and hangovers. Ok, maybe that last one works but not in the context I meant. Whatever. Here’s another thing to add to the list of amazing combinations: Stranger Things and Twenty-One Pilots brought to us by the Bay Area’s own, DJ Tripp.

For those who never came back from that last acid trip over the festival season, Stranger Things is the take-off hit Netflix series. Set in the 1980’s the show follows a group of one-day-will-rule-the-tech-world middle school nerds who are trying to find their friend, Will, after he mysteriously disappears. Along with his friends, Will’s mother–played by Winona Ryder–is the only other person who also believes he is alive and joins the hunt. The series chases the viewer into a forest of twists and turns as a strange girl named Eleven shows up followed by Men in Black figures.

Oh, and did I mention the monster from a parallel universe that eats people? Yeah, there’s that too.

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Keeping with the kitsch 80’s theme, the soundtrack to Stranger Things is a tasty soup of hits from the decade and original synth music.

DJ Tripp–who is the resident DJ for 80’s and 90’s night at the Blue Lagoon in Santa Cruz every Thursday and Friday night and DJs Bootie at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco every Saturday–has quite the ear for music. While listening to the latest Twenty-One Pilots song, “Heathens”–written for the Suicide Squad soundtrack–he noticed it sounded eerily similar to the theme music for the Netflix cult hit. When he realized they were even in the same key, he set to work and created this fun remix.

I’ve been blasting it all morning while trying to figure out just wtf happened to Barbara.

 

 

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.