Hello! Back again for some posting. I've been on a downloading binge lately (surprised?) and I've rediscovered my love for one particular record label: Ed Banger.
This label is managed by Pedro Winter aka Busy P, the illustrious DJ who formerly managed Daft Punk. He's also quite the producer! Worth checking out are his older tracks like Rainbow Man and Chop Suey (the latter has explicit lyrics, hide yo kids) and his newer material like To Protect and Entertain. I saw him DJ with Justice a few years ago, and he was just incredible, as were they.
Speaking of Justice, they've released on Ed Banger as well! Not familiar? That's got to change. Justice is one of the most influential electro groups of recent years, laying the groundwork for countless imitators and some innovators. Worth listening to are...all of their tracks. Especially Phantom Pt 1 and 2, DVNO, Waters Of Nazareth, D.A.N.C.E., and their most recent single Civilization.
Other key artists on the label include Mr Flash, Mr Oizo, Vicarious Bliss, BreakBot, DJ Mehdi (that's right, vocals by Chromeo), Feadz, Uffie, and more. Even Squarepusher and Cassius have a release on Ed Banger. The member I'm currently obsessed with, however, is none of these. He's the composer of today's song of the day:
SebastiAn - Embody
This guy is awesome! He's been referred to as the "darker" side of Ed Banger, which I don't quite understand. Either way, he's very talented. His older releases like Ross Ross Ross and H.A.L. are sweet, and he's finally releasing an album on May 30th! There's a second single from the album that's been released, but before I link it I'm warning you about the video: It is X-Rated and not for the faint of heart. If that doesn't bother you yet then it will, but check out Total!
Enjoy the links, and look forward to more coming up!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Song of the Day: Round 28: Get Your Synth Right
Hello! Back for another Song of the Day, and today's topic is about synths. That's right, the instruments in electronic music. More specifically, today's post is about good synths. The ones that fit perfectly, or stand out strongly on their own.
First, let's look at the bad. There are just some synths (Afrojack is a hack, for real) that make me leave nightclubs. Just because you're not playing Top 40 doesn't mean you're a good DJ. And just because you get played in clubs doesn't mean you're a good artist. Afrojack is a hack, and so is the rest of his ilk.
What do I look for in a synth? I feel it has to agree with the mood of the song. If that mood is being a clown, then look no farther than the links above. A synth can even be used to contrast with other features of the song in order to highlight certain aspects. I think that the arguably disagreeable synth in DJ Fresh's take on the Pink Panther (you'll hear it) highlights the smoothness of the rest of the track.
It doesn't always take a big synth to make a good song! London Elektricity knows this well, requiring nothing more than piano keys to lead Elektricity Will Keep You Warm. Some tracks are made by good synth selection! Mylo's track Muscle Cars has one of the best synths I've ever heard coming in at 1:22, and I challenge anyone to find something that could sound better. Some other masters of the synth include Daft Punk, Justice, Siriusmo, Underworld, and many more. The most recent mindblowing snyth I've heard is from today's song of the day:
Starkey - Playing With Fire
It comes in at 0:53. Multilayered, strong, intense but not overpowering, and so many other things. It absolutely makes this song, and is a testament to Starkey's skill as an artist. I've promoted him many times on this blog, and I'll do it again, because he is amazing. Enjoy the links, and look forward to more coming soon!
First, let's look at the bad. There are just some synths (Afrojack is a hack, for real) that make me leave nightclubs. Just because you're not playing Top 40 doesn't mean you're a good DJ. And just because you get played in clubs doesn't mean you're a good artist. Afrojack is a hack, and so is the rest of his ilk.
What do I look for in a synth? I feel it has to agree with the mood of the song. If that mood is being a clown, then look no farther than the links above. A synth can even be used to contrast with other features of the song in order to highlight certain aspects. I think that the arguably disagreeable synth in DJ Fresh's take on the Pink Panther (you'll hear it) highlights the smoothness of the rest of the track.
It doesn't always take a big synth to make a good song! London Elektricity knows this well, requiring nothing more than piano keys to lead Elektricity Will Keep You Warm. Some tracks are made by good synth selection! Mylo's track Muscle Cars has one of the best synths I've ever heard coming in at 1:22, and I challenge anyone to find something that could sound better. Some other masters of the synth include Daft Punk, Justice, Siriusmo, Underworld, and many more. The most recent mindblowing snyth I've heard is from today's song of the day:
Starkey - Playing With Fire
It comes in at 0:53. Multilayered, strong, intense but not overpowering, and so many other things. It absolutely makes this song, and is a testament to Starkey's skill as an artist. I've promoted him many times on this blog, and I'll do it again, because he is amazing. Enjoy the links, and look forward to more coming soon!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Song of the Day: Round 27...Mutek
Hello all! I'm back...again! Exams are finally over, I'm in Toronto for the week, and I've got more than enough time to get some good posting in. I'll start it off with an experimental electronic theme!
Coming up in Montreal at the beginning of June is Mutek, an experimental electronic music festival! I've never seen this sort of music performed live, so I'm pretty excited. Some of the big names at the festival include Amon Tobin, Gold Panda, Four Tet, FaltyDL, Floating Points, XI (the DJ that introduced me to dubstep years ago), and the duo and artist I'm most excited for: Modeselektor and Siriusmo.
Some of you may remember a post I made about Siriusmo (along with Grum and Anoraak) a while ago, in which many of the following links were featured. I figure I might as well repost a few for those who missed them, and add a couple! Siriusmo is a German electro artist, and one of the most talented at that. Listen in particular to how precise his sound is, with perfectly crafted synths and tight beat production. Check out Wow, Einmal In Der Woche Schreien, Allthegirls, Let Me In!, and my personal favourite (and most recent 5-star-rated track in my iTunes) Nights Off.
Modeselektor is one of the most influential groups in minimal electro. They (a duo) are label managers of Monkeytown Records, and highly talented musicians. Some of my favourite of their tracks include Black Box, The White Flash feat. Thom Yorke, Tetrispack, Ziq Zaq, 2000007 feat TTC, and Dancing Box feat. TTC. My favourite of their tracks, however is today's song of the day:
Modeselektor - Edgar
This, to me, is a beautiful piece of music. It develops and grows over the course of three minutes, plodding forward with a staggering march of a beat. Enjoy the links! I'm going to enjoy that festival.
P.S. For those who don't know, London Elektricity's album Yikes! dropped yesterday! Pick up your copy, it just might be his best album yet!
Coming up in Montreal at the beginning of June is Mutek, an experimental electronic music festival! I've never seen this sort of music performed live, so I'm pretty excited. Some of the big names at the festival include Amon Tobin, Gold Panda, Four Tet, FaltyDL, Floating Points, XI (the DJ that introduced me to dubstep years ago), and the duo and artist I'm most excited for: Modeselektor and Siriusmo.
Some of you may remember a post I made about Siriusmo (along with Grum and Anoraak) a while ago, in which many of the following links were featured. I figure I might as well repost a few for those who missed them, and add a couple! Siriusmo is a German electro artist, and one of the most talented at that. Listen in particular to how precise his sound is, with perfectly crafted synths and tight beat production. Check out Wow, Einmal In Der Woche Schreien, Allthegirls, Let Me In!, and my personal favourite (and most recent 5-star-rated track in my iTunes) Nights Off.
Modeselektor is one of the most influential groups in minimal electro. They (a duo) are label managers of Monkeytown Records, and highly talented musicians. Some of my favourite of their tracks include Black Box, The White Flash feat. Thom Yorke, Tetrispack, Ziq Zaq, 2000007 feat TTC, and Dancing Box feat. TTC. My favourite of their tracks, however is today's song of the day:
Modeselektor - Edgar
This, to me, is a beautiful piece of music. It develops and grows over the course of three minutes, plodding forward with a staggering march of a beat. Enjoy the links! I'm going to enjoy that festival.
P.S. For those who don't know, London Elektricity's album Yikes! dropped yesterday! Pick up your copy, it just might be his best album yet!
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