Nicolas "Nico" Jaar - New EP

Hey again guys! Once again, it has been quite a while since my last post, (the one on Rustie's amazing Glass Swords) but I'm back! This was supposed to be a NERO post because I just saw them live last week and it was incredible, but since it wasn't going to include any very recent material I decided against it. So, if you haven't already, meet Nico Jaar! A f*cking genius of sorts at only 21. He just released his newest, and quite minimal EP, Don't Break My Love for free on his Soundcloud! It contains two masterfully crafted songs; masterfully crafted out of synths, warm fuzz & noise, percussion of all kinds, and fragile but exquisitely executed vocals. Just by listening to the first minute of Why Didn't You Save Me, you can tell Nico's influences come from a range of musical sources. And to be honest, I couldn't tell you what all of them are, but I can tell you that it doesn't matter to know. Just listen to Nico's songs and you'll see why. His compositions are so organic and purposeful that they seem to emerge from you speakers bit by bit as if the song is making up itself in real time. Not sure if that made much sense but whatever, you get the idea, it's good shit. I'll stop now, but be sure to check his debut album too, Space is Only Noise. Now sit back and enjoy Nico's style.

Don't Break My Love EP

NICOLAS JAAR / Don't break my love EP by Clown & Sunset

And some of his more upbeat, older, and house-ier stuff:


Nicolas Jaar Stay in love


Nicolas Jaar Mi Mujer


Cheers!

~MAR

Rustie - Glass Swords

Hey everyone! I've been totally MIA because exams have been killing me and they're still not over. But everyone needs an escape, right? Well, this is mine right here. A bit overdue, but Glasgow producer, Rustie f*cking kills it with his debut - Glass Swords. Fitchpork (Pitchfork) gave it an 8.0, saying it defines electro-pop this year. They're referring to how Rustie's sound, a blend of so many together, encapsulates our time in music at this very moment. It's all kinds of effed in the best way possible. Yes, we have mainstream electronic bullshit, but we still have underground artists slowly reaching the surface of the mainstream landscape who are constantly bringing new sounds to light. Rustie's Glass Swords reflects a strong desire to break out, but at the same time there's the desire to look back. He incorporates r&b, glitch, cheesy synths, and big bass lines all in a dubstep frame that makes for something that reminds me of the also great Hudson Mohwake (they're signed to the same Warp Records). Rustie definitely has room to grow, for his album after a third straight play or so starts to blend together in a mish-mash of psychedelic, glimmering bass music. I really can't say anything too negative about the guy though, because I'm pretty sure he's still in his teens and is miles better than a lotta the shit out there. Overall, this album is catchy as shit and is straight up feel good music that will make you feel like you can conquer the day, or at least your hangover. Below are my favorite songs of the album, hope you enjoy!

My favorite!

Rustie After Light


Rustie Surph


Rustie All Nite

One of the chillest songs on the record but still masterfully crafted:

Rustie Glass Swords

-Back with the Bass

Cheers!

~MAR

Lapalux & Zeds Dead

By now you should know my love for Brainfeeder Records knows no bounds. Lapalux is no exception. Hailing from Essex, this young man is the most recent producer to be signed to Brainfeeder. Fittingly, he matches their sound including all the usual suspects: muted beats, spaced out percussion, nonsensical voices, ethereal noises, and in general, highly experimental. A good comparison would be Shlohmo, who I posted about a while back. Lapalux's Many Faces Out of Focus came out earlier this year, as well as a host of awesome remixes. My immediate worry after listening to some of his material was "Isn't this more of the same for Brainfeeder?" However, after listening to Faces a few times I realized Lapalux rounds out the label, incorporating similar styles, and I think falling somewhere in between Flylo and Tokimonsta. And now that he is signed, I can't wait to see how he develops his style with his first official releases.

On a non-Brainfeeder note, Mad Decent's dubstep duo, Zeds Dead recently released a preview to their new EP, Rumble in the Jungle, out October 4. It goes hard, sounding like some underground shit or something you would hear at the Sunday School Grove tent at Electric Zoo. They also infuse some drum n' bass vibes and collaborate with Jamaican MC Mavado on the EP.

ZEDS DEAD- Rumble In The Jungle/ Undah Yuh Skirt Teaser by maddecent

Many Faces Out Of Focus (2011) PICT006 by Lapalux

And now for some of Lapalux's many remixes...

Tawiah Breakaway (Lapalux Remix)


Vadoinmessico Pepita Queen of the Animals (Lapalux Remix)

Why I someone hasn't thought of remixing this song before is beyond me (or maybe they have, but it sucked or I just didn't hear about it). So perfect for his style.
Gwen Stefani - Luxurious ( Lapalux's bootleg remix) by Lapalux


Cheers!


~MAR

May the Partying Continue...

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to be in New York City at the same time as the annual, Mad Decent Block Party. The line-up was filled with big names like Claude VonStroke and The Hood Internet. Obviously VonStroke was amazing, but I was really impressed by some of the smaller acts. I wasn't really familiar with Zeds Dead, a Toronto-based duo that threw both the bros and b&t people into a frenzy with the dirtiest dub. They have very few official releases out there, but you'll find some of their best tracks below. Another act that impressed me was Gang Gang Dance, an experimental, synth-laden outfit based out of New York. The group actually got their start in our hometown, Washington D.C., over ten years ago. They released a new album, Eye Contact this year. I'll let the music do the rest.


White Satin - Zeds Dead

Zeds Dead White Satin


Pyramid Song (Zeds Dead Illuminati Remix) - Radiohead

Radiohead Pyramid Song (Zeds Dead Illuminati Remix)


Doin' Time (Zeds Dead Summer Grime Remix) - Sublime

Sublime Doin Time (Zeds Dead Summer Grime Remix)

Adult Goth - Gang Gang Dance

Gang Gang Dance Adult Goth


Next up for me? IDentity Fest in DC and then Electric Zoo on Labor Day weekend, ahh summer.



Cheers!

~MAR

Greatest Hits: Experimental

This post is a little out there, hence the experimental tag. This is another installation of my greatest hits, showcasing several great tunes to unwind and expand the definition of electronic music while expanding your mind. If you're looking for big EDM hits, you won't find any here. This post is about the weird, the unrecognizable, and the music that doesn't quite fit into any one genre. It will catch your attention because you have never heard anything like it before, combining hip-hop elements with electronica, glitch with soul music, or even ambient with indie folk. Some of these artists have even defined their own unique genre, such as Nosaj Thing. Here we goo!

Going with a classic with Aphex Twin and a newer release.


I love Active Child. I admit it takes some warming up to, as it sounds like haunting church music at some points. However, you have to give the guy credit for making a harp sound right at home in an electronic tune. This is off of his forthcoming debut album, You Are All I See (coming out next month). Grab his Curtis Lane EP from 2010, simply amazing.


Baths Baths Baths! I have to thank my university for booking and introducing his wonderful ambient/experimental music to me.


I think this song speaks for itself, James Blake is a musical genius.


The one and only.


This a remix by Burial, a great one. Check out his other stuff, great 2-step music, and at times so overflowing with emotion (See UK or In McDonald's).


These last two artists are definitely more recognized for their indie and folk leanings, but these two tracks are electronic experimental heaven.

Sufjan Stevens is a lyrical and folk genius (could I use that word one more time?), but with his last album, The Age of Adz he drifted towards a more electronic perspective. This is an example, give it a chance and listen to it in full.


My favorite song from The Album Leaf, it just sounds right, love all the glitches and tweeks.


Hope you enjoy! Although, I have to say these might be even better in an altered state, just sayin'.

UPDATE: Oh dear god, I forgot to the mighty Flying Lotus on here. Don't know how I did it, but I did. I guess if you've heard of any of the above though, you probably already love Flying Lotus, if not, go here and educate yoself.

Cheers!


~MAR