“Mesmerised” is the latest John Hughes-era tipping single, from Sydney producer Jordan F, featuring the gorgeous voice of Canadian singer/songwriter Dana Jean Phoenix and it’s washed over us quite wonderfully on this warm Friday afternoon. The first taste of Jordan F’s impending sophomore LP, Timelines, “Mesmerised” keeps the Australian artist’s evocative synth sounds and infectious retro-meldies fully intact. A pulsating retro-wave beat drives “Mesmerised” while Dana Jean Phoenix’s delicate refrain has us drawing up comparison’s to College & Desire, while appreciating the full scope of Jordan F’s rangey production. Together, the pair have created a warm, atmospheric slice of synth-pop that is beyond easy to be swept up in and a perfect song to prime us for what will most likely be a rambunctious weekend. Stream “Mesmerised” above.
With TomorrowWorld slowly creeping up on the collective dance community, we reached out to a few of our favorite performing artists to commission a playlist for our listeners, their fans, and all of the festival attendees who are counting down the days till September 25th.
To kick this series off, we roped in Bixel Boys to pull together a selection of tasty tunes. Everyone dance fan out there should have this LA-based DJ/Producer/fashion duo on their radar at this point. With a slew of top notch remixes, impressive originals, and the seemingly everywhere #FREELIFE brand, it’s hard to go more than a week without being reminded of this multi-faceted, extremely talented duo.
Before you press play on this artfully crafted “classics and throwbacks” playlist from the Bixel Boys, please do these two things:
1. Put their set time in your lineup schedule (Mythical Frames stage on Saturday, September 26th from 7:15PM-8:45PM).
2. Pick up tickets for the Gathering, which is a Thursday night party for those camping at TomorrowWorld. While it doesn’t feature the Bixel Boys, we’re pretty damn sure you’ll want to pre-game here before the full festival gets kicked into gear.
Last month, Arthur Ashin, the New York avant-pop, -R&B and -soul experimentalist who records as Autre Ne Veut, announced the follow up to his excellent 2013 opus, Anxiety, with Age of Transparency (pre-order digitally here and on vinyl here). So far we’ve had the chance to hear “World War Pt. 2” and watch its soul creeping video counterpart; and today we’ve been given the second dose from the forthcoming LP in the form of “Panic Room”. Autre Ne Veut’s latest tune remains within his genre-skirting, experimentalist niche, but may also be Ashin’s most sonically textured endeavor yet. Dizzying synth lines spark back and forth over a two-step drum pattern, a flitting flute sample and scuzzy electronic percussion which all coalesce like a dream to bring Ashin’s unique, soaring vocals to the forefront; especially on its layered and harmonized chorus.
We’ve taken it a step further and also included the brand, beautiful new video for the acapella version of “Panic Room” directed by Allie Avital, which features Ashin singing in front of a panel of judges (his manager, sister, and Pitchfork writer Ian Cohen); “reflecting the anxieties (we can all relate to) of being an artist in the public sphere”. We’re perked up and ready to catch Autre Ne Veut on his latest U.S. tour in October, and in the throws of our fandom urge our readers to be on the lookout for our special interview with Ashin in the next few weeks. Until then, enjoy “Panic Room” above, watch the music video and check out the complete U.S. tour dates for ANV below.
U.S. Tour Dates:
Thu Oct 01 – NYC, NY – Rough Trade Fri Oct 09 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour Sat Oct 10 – San Francisco, CA – Social Hall SF Mon Oct 12 – Portland, OR – Star Theater Tue Oct 13 – Seattle, WA – Barboza Fri Oct 16 – Denver, CO – Lost Lake Sun Oct 18 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Tue – Oct 20 – Toronto, ON – The Hoxton Wed Oct 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle Thu Oct 22 – Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs Fri Oct 23 – Washington, CD – U Street Music Hall Mon Oct 26 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
When we first consume new material, there’s endless subjectivity that impacts our reaction from personal taste to current mood but, regardless of reason, every week there’s always one or two tracks that get the repeat treatment. Such has been the case with our latest premiere, a remix that we’ve only gotten more excited to share after a couple days of constant listening.
Walking Shapes‘ “Feel Good” was easily one of the catchiest tunes on their acclaimed debut album, Take Come On, proving true to its name–a fantastically cheery indie electronic jam. As part of a 3-track remix EP for the song, the Brooklyn quintet enlisted an unlikely up ‘n comer out of Leeds, Jonas LR, to take on the addicting tune.
The resulting re-imagination takes the song from a summery day to a hazy warehouse party. Jonas LR pairs the original’s near-falsetto vocals with a distinct UK Garage-tinted backdrop creating a few moments during the intro in which lead-singer Nathaniel Hoho’s voice resembles that of Zhu. As the track progresses, though, the listener is continually pulled in by an evolving sound scape that takes advantage of the track’s electronic melodies all the while completely changing the context that surround them. Quick, stuttering percussion and various 8-bit sounds bring a playfulness that, despite the complete make over, in some ways matches the original.
Even though it possesses elements of various emerging styles, this one proves enticing largely because it’s not quite like anything we’ve heard before. If you’re dig this as much as us, definitely check out Jonas LR’s Soundcloud page where he’s already got a few gems posted. The “Feel Good” remixes EP is out now–you can grab a copy here. Also, make sure to check out Walking Shapes at one of their upcoming tour dates with Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes, listed below. Continue reading →
“Break Through the Silence”, the collaboration between Martin Garrix, Matisse & Sadko was a progressive house track that wasn’t anything crazy, but it was pretty good. When put in trap form by T-Mass and LZRD, things changed. It’s jumped up a few notches to something extraordinary that you want to throw on repeat over and over again. The ninjas have the honor of premiering such a quality remix to you all, which we know you will enjoy. Whether you’re just kicking it with some headphones, DJing a party or you’re at a party, T-Mass and LZRD deliver a track that will come through every time. “Break Through The Silence” is being given out as a free download, so head to this link and grab the single for yourself.
We had the pleasure of catching the riveting, quirky, and wildly entertaining Brick + Mortar when they made their way to Denver this summer. Set on the main stage at The Underground Music Showcase, they quickly won over a crowd during a set in the early evening. And, of course, one of the fan favorites was their hit tune, “Hollow Tune.”
Released nearly a year ago, “Hollow Tune” starts off with an ample amount of whimsy, only to head into a procession of booming percussion, soaring melodies, and incredibly uplifting lyrics. Sang with a powerful vocal prowess, each and every word latches quickly, making it a tune you can’t quickly shake.
Lyrics like those deserve quite the visual representation, and thanks to the Denver-based Blurred Pictures, they most certainly do now. Riffing off of the powerful line “You’re not alone,” Blurred and the band crafted a story line revolving around a gay veteran, who has returned home from war, and a tough-to-watch hate crime. The end result is raw, real, and powerful.
Take a look at what Brick + Mortar had to say about their collective vision for the video, then watch below.
We make music for people who believe in equality and acceptance for everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or belief. This song was written about love to say: ‘You’re not alone, I’m not alone,’ to the one you love. Love is love period. – via Out
If like me, you’re dispirited by the closing of festival season, this Berlin-based indie-folk artist will ease the transition from summer to back to school, university or work. Having released his brilliant EP ‘White Threads’ last year, Jackson Dyer has maintained and matured his magnificence within the new single ‘Steal Away’.
Instantly amerced by the warm depth of an ambient electric guitar, Dyer’s soulful vocals entice us to lose ourselves within this beautifully simplistic piece. ‘Steal away’ proceeds to run away with momentum as he invites the drums to help accelerate his voice, only elevating the song further. The Australian’s light vocals balance delicately upon the accompaniment, singing fondly of eloquent childhood memories along the west-coast of Australia. He later introduces the violin to bring this song to a gratifying peak of liberation, before stripping it all back to the bare essentials for the final lyrics.
Easily one of my favourite songs at the moment, ‘Steal Away’ liberates us as an audience and we quite literally steal away from our surroundings, and escape through this calming track. He sings almost desperately of home-sickness and yearning for the ocean, whilst feeling trapped amidst the concrete of Berlin city. It’s a piece that begs us to sway with his breathy voice, as the drums consistently play a perfectly laid back beat behind.
Check out the link below for potential tour dates, live videos and more music.
