Tag Archives: House

[House] Punctual – Fix

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 21, 2016

Punctual
Fix

Following a debut single that we still haven’t been able to shake, Bristol production duo Punctual return today with the accompanying B-Side. At nearly 10 minutes, “Fix” solidifies the promise heard on “Eva,” expanding on their gorgeously expressive take on house music. A simple piano chord progression kicks off the track and persists through out changing form with the building elements around it. Just as you start getting lost in the atmosphere, the percussion filters in around the 2 minute mark providing an irresistible groove.

While the first 4 minutes would make a strong track on their own, it’s the second half that sets Punctual apart. As the percussion is stripped back, vocals emerge that recall classic house music in a bridge that beautifully builds back into the song’s addicting repetition. Punctual feel like a breathe of fresh air in the crowd of fad-influenced electronic producers–standing out without sacrificing accessibility or simplicity. We’re excited to see what they come up next but the “Eva”/”Fix” EP should hold us over for quite some time–you can grab it here.

[Techno/House] Wehbba – Trust

Posted by Jordan Coburn - October 18, 2016

Wehbba
Trust

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Brazilian-based producer Wehbba released his new bundle of singles with Stay Right this month. There’s one track in particular that especially stands out among the rest, and that’s the track “Trust.” Wehbba has been producing techno and techno/house fusion works that have made our ears perk up in the recent years. His tracks, like most techno, have a drive to them that would hook anyone who listens. But with his new track “Trust,” the level of pull is so much more real.

The tune begins with a little guitar sample that’s reminiscent of something old Sonny boy of Skrillex would have produced as an intro back in his Bangarang days, and we were very curious to see where the track would go. It sounded far from a techno track in the beginning actually. But then, the vocal sample begins to slowly crescendo in until its peak drops a techno/house bass beat that comes in like a tsunami that totally wipes away the vocals for the next few measures, leaving you drowning in a techno wonderland. If you were at a festival on the outskirts of a crowd, contemplating going and getting a bucket of crab fries at that delicious stand, this drop would make any techno lover about-face and walk on beat right back to the center of the crowd like a champion.

And that, friends, is where we leave you. In the middle of the techno pit with Wehbba.

[Festival Review] CRSSD Epic Weekend Recap

Posted by TMN Staff - October 7, 2016

(PC: Felicia Garcia / CRSSD Fest)

San Diego’s Waterfront Park hosted its fourth CRSSD Fest this weekend, a place that’s become home to lovers of electronic music across the entire Southern Californian region. Maintaining a similar aesthetic to the previous CRSSD festivals at the park, the scene was filled with feelings of a tropical escape, an escape that differs only so slightly from that of the city the event is held in, but it’s the difference that gives patrons a feeling that they’ve left home and arrived at a new one. The lineup, as always, was stacked with legends and exciting up and comers alike. TMN had the opportunity to check out the show, and we’ve got a full run-down below.

The fest kicked off its first day with huge names like MK, Justin Martin, Miike Snow, Cashmere Cat, and Bonobo. As per usual, Dirtybird showed up in big numbers, and Justin Martin’s set and Shiba San’s set were ones to remember. There’s always something so special about the Dirtybird crowd. Knowing that all of your lives were probably touched at one point by Shiba’s track “OKAY” is a strong bond that not many other labels can achieve, and Shiba’s set was filled with all the depth and bass one would imagine. Justin Martin’s headlining set drew crowds that were worthy of his talent, and the set was an hour and a half of pure bliss. And while Justin Martin was taking everyone on a journey at one side of the festival, house music legend Marc Kinchen (aka MK) was giving everyone an education on the other side of the fest. Pioneering house music with tracks like “Always” from the 90s, MK has his finger on the pulse of house music now more than ever. We were ecstatic to see him headlining, getting all of the glory that he deserves.

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[Deep House] Jade Blue – How To See

Posted by Jordan Coburn - February 26, 2016

Jade Blue
How To See [Premiere]

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London-based electronic producer Jade Blue has recently released her single with Black Butter Records, “How To See,” and it’s really putting her on the map here for us at TMN. Jade just knows exactly what to do to create an instant hit. We can’t wait until we hear this dropped at a show and get to be the cool kids that furiously dance all up in the space.

This track makes it apparent that Jade has a great grasp on both tech and deep house, and her transition from one to the other is pretty flawless here. She’s got a great way of creating depth in the track with a variety of synths and panning in all ends of the spectrum. One moment you’ll be hearing cosmic zooms, and the other you’ll find yourself in a bass drop so good it hurts. Her work has got us feeling like we’re at a show in the likes of a Dirtybird BBQ, but with a little more glitch in her style. We’re happy to give her many props for this track.

[Minimal House] Anenon – Once

Posted by Jordan Coburn - February 12, 2016

Anenon
Once

Soundcloud

A friend of the LA-based super label Friends of Friends, Anenon, has released a new track this week that’s got our ears perked. Anenon released two singles this week, one of them being “Once.” As the name would not suggest we found it incredibly difficult to listen to this song a single time.

It’s integrative and so satisfying to listen to. The first thing you hear when the track starts is some free jazz drumming—namely fluttering symbols. In fact we think the percussion is what really makes this track. The artistry in the speed and articulation of the pads and the live symbols (or at least live-sounding) blur the lines between drum sampling and live drumming. Pair that with the Leon Vynehall sounding synths that slide you to and fro and you’ve got a masterful electronic release.

[Experimental] Arca – Urchin

Posted by Jordan Coburn - January 5, 2016

arca
Urchin

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As we sit here writing this post and listen to Arca’s newest track release, “Urchin”, we’re sort of frightened. For us this isn’t a new feeling when listening to the London-based gender neutral producer’s music in the night, but it is one that we welcome. Arca reminds us that there is beauty in ambiguity and darkness—the feelings many of their tracks leave us with.

After a critically acclaimed EP release with Mutant, we were really happy to see that they’d released another track so soon. After listening to “Urchin” we understand why this one came separately from the epic EP, however. This track embodies an industrially ambient density unlike any of their tracks from the unleashed Mutant, and that was made apparent upon the first listen. Retaining their quintessential qualities of stop-motion aesthetic synths, Arca creates an unprecedented low-end depth in this new track. Please keep releasing like wildfire. We can’t get enough.

Bit Funk – Off The Ground [TMN VIDEO PREMIERE]

Posted by Jordan Coburn - November 18, 2015

Bit Funk
Off The Ground (ft Shae Jacobs)

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We are proud to present a first look at Brooklyn-based Bit Funk‘s music video for his newest single “Off The Ground.” here at TMN this morning.

Call him El Nino– this track is making huge waves in a very short amount of time. The tune has already hit #2 on HypeM and has close to one million plays since its release. The motivating clap track that’s present at the start of the song along with Shae Jacobs’s R&B-driven vocals are a retro electro combo that builds until it drops. The modern electronic sound rushes in with a deep house beat and the commencement of vocal loops, reminding us that this is indeed a club hit. At this point everyone in the crowd is going to be straight boogie-ing. I know we were our first listen. This track’s smooth and well on its way to becoming a dance floor regular.

For some added boogie inspiration, make sure to check out the music video, as well.