Enlightened Listening for January 22

After what I thought was an incredible haul with last week's Enlightened Listening, this week's harvest is more than three times the size! Of course, there are a few releases we've been building towards here with early singles from Bicep's Isles and Logic1000's You've Got The Whole Night To Go, but there's so much more than that! There are two Tim Reaper EPs, including his fabulous and incredibly hyped (deservingly so) Special Request remix EP. There are two other solo albums as bass legends DC Breaks and Flux Pavilion drop DCXV and .wav, respectively. In other shorter offerings, there are seven incredible EPs from the likes of Kessler, Low Poly, Apashe and Tiefschwarz. On the other side of the spectrum, Afterlife offers up an epic 25 track, nearly three-hour compilation in Unity Pt. 2. Showcasing high octane tech house, Cloverdale's rounded up a half-dozen tracks for his label Vibrancy's first compilation, Exhibits Vol. 1. Rounding things out, there's a handful of singles and remixes, including CamelPhat's take on London Grammar and Undercatt's take on Robert Mills' "Children". Stream the new music playlist below and find each individual release linked at the bottom. Have a great weekend!

Bicep - Isles

Kessler - Ambivalent

Tim Reaper - Teletext

Special Request & Tim Reaper - Special Request & Tim Reaper

S9 - Get It Right

DC Breaks -  DCXV

Low Poly - Dreamstate

Dr Meaker - Atoms

Apashe ft. Tech N9ne - Insane (Remixes)

Flux Pavilion - .wav

London Grammar - Lose Your Head (CamelPhat Remix)

BAILE - Visage

Logic1000 - You've Got The Whole Night To Go

Robert Miles - Children (Undercatt Remix)

Dennis Ferrer & Disciples - Whisper (with James Yuill)

Bob Moses - The Blame (Helsloot Remix)

Tiefschwarz - Dance Tili You Popo #1

Various Artists - Tale Of Us Presents: Unity Pt. 2

Modul Kollektiv & Gespona - Viebar

Various Artists - Vibrancy Presents: Exhibits Vol. 1

Throwback Thursday: Flux Pavilion ft. Example - Daydreamer (Jack Beats Remix)

After my iPod shuffled into some nostalgia as I made my way home last night, I figured it was time to recall the incredible power of Jack Beats' genius remix of Flux Pavilion "Daydreamer."

Keen observers will note my Throwback Thursday posts primarily take place around 2010 (give or take a few years) and this is no different. At the time this track was released I was perhaps on my biggest Jack Beats kick as they has just dropped their Donae'o collab "You Should Know" and were not far from releasing their inspired OWSLA debut Somebody To Love.

While I go back through these records I'm in awe of the duo's always impactful production whether tempered and toned down as in "Storm," absolutely bonkers in the beats of "Elevator Music," dope and dynamic as in "Labyrinth," or all of the above as in this remix. "Daydreamer" may just be the best example of Jack Beats' brilliance. Its rubber-band bassline is incredibly bouncy and plays perfectly with the crisp percussion, crackling top line and Example's vocals. They are masters of mixing these elements together, so much so that you often know exactly what's coming and when. The trick here though is that they make the ride ridiculously fun as they send the tension careening up and down like a roller-coaster. Further to this metaphor, "Daydreamer" is no rickety old wooden roller-coaster, but rather an elaborate and visceral affair sure to churn your stomach in ways you cannot give words to. The scorching synths, guttural growls and cartoonish effects are absolutely the lead of the track and you know what I'm referring to not because I've described them well but rather that they are so stunning and unique that you feel them in your very core.

Whether this is your kind of music or not, you cannot listen to "Daydreamer" and be unchanged. And isn't that the magic of not just Jack Beats, or even electronic music, but music as a whole? Once you feel it, you're forever changed, perpetually striving to relive that first, ever-so powerful feeling.FOLLOW FLUX PAVILION: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW JACK BEATS: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for October 11

This week's edition of Enlightened Listening delivers a wide range of house records, highlighted by an ingenious album from Chris Lorenzo, from which we've already heard a number of singles but whose breadth truly makes it a masterpiece (see the likes of "Memories Fade," "Here Kitty," "Take Me As I Am" and "City Traffic"). There's also a couple exceedingly cool originals from the legendary likes of Flux Pavilion and Mat Zo, the former straying from his usual dubstep fare while the latter offers up an extended DnB joint.

That takes care of the final two releases in the playlist below, while things start with a fantastic remix from Bit Funk who once again showcases sublime sound design. That is followed by the latest David Penn/Defected release and just like like his "Big Love" remix this one is certain to get rinsed out endlessly thanks to its incredibly catchy craft-work. After that comes Phantoms' remix package for "Say It," which delivers dance-friendly energy on each of the three offerings. And that's exactly what we get with Max Styler's "Echo Over Me," a beat so powerful that your body will move uncontrollably.

In another unreal onslaught of power, YYVNG's debut on Botnek's World Famous Headquarters is sure to leave your head spinning. Finally, Syn Cole's "Cool With That" has captured my attention with simple, understated craftsmanship, particularly with the little bass riffs, but even more so the way it it all meshes with Golden Age's vocals. Stream via playlist and click through to individuals releases below. Cheers!

Dance Yourself Clean ft. Lollies - Your Love (Bit Funk Remix)

David Penn - Stand Up (ft. Ramona Renea)

Phantoms ft. Anna Clendening - Say It (Remixes)

Max Styler - Echo Over Me

YYVNG - WYNEHOUSE

Chris Lorenzo - Late Checkout

Syn Cole - Cool With That (ft. Golden Age)

Flux Pavilion - I Will Stay (ft. Turin Brakes)

Mat Zo - Emotion Sickness

Enlightened Listening for July 5

A quick turnaround from the last Enlightened Listening and a quick turn into the weekend leads to this brief look at a still fantastic and varied group of tracks. ASHE opens things up with a thoughtful EP that leans further into his acoustic techno. Next up a trance turn as Edu Imbernon delivers a dope Anjunadeep cut. Gorgon City stay hot with a tribute to Chicago house in "Elizabeth Street." After that is Annie Mac's hottest record, a genius growing groove from Theo Kottis. Building even bigger still, KiNK captures our attention with a brilliant recasting of Krystal Klear's exceptional "Euphoric Dreams." MK then delivers the first remix after the release of Mark Ronson's Late Night Feelings and as usual hits it out of the park. One of the most teased and highly sought after tracks of the year follows as David Penn sends us into ecstasy with his heart-melting remix. Gears change as the playlist begins to close with Flux Pavilion showing a new side that has me hearing classic Nero. Finally I get even more nostalgic with Infected Mushroom, one of my earliest loves, and their Monstercat killer "Kababies." Stream everything via Spotify below and get individual links at the bottom. Enjoy your weekend!

ASHE - Letters To Myself

Edu Imbernon - S.Y.L.

Gorgon City - Elizabeth Street

Theo Kottis - Turning Around

Krystal Klear - Euphoric Dreams (KiNK Remix)

Mark Ronson ft. Camila Cabello - Find U Again (MK Remix)

Pete Heller's Big Love - Big Love (David Penn Remix)

Flux Pavilion - Somebody Else (ft. GLNNA)

Infected Mushroom - Kababies

Lennart Schroot - Arcade

It's not news that I'm kind of crazy for 'video game music', so when I saw Lennart Schroot's "Arcade" in my feed this morning I just had to click play. Right away I was greeted with a familiar sound, ironically that of Jack Beats and their remix of Flux Pavilion, "Daydreamer." That sparkling synth crackles the track to life, turning the lights on at the titular location. The bass then builds, beckoning you inward for pure nostalgic pleasure. Like the artwork the track is bright and warm; a welcome reprise from the doldrums of daily life, where you can toss your cares aside and enjoy an electronic escape. The drops deliver this diversion fantastically, and transports you to a technological wonderland. Ride the wave of flashing lights and beeping buttons that is "Arcade" with a free download from ToneDen here.FOLLOW LENNART SCHROOT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Flux Pavilion - Bass Cannon (Matroda Remix)

The mere mention of "Bass Cannon" ought to get your juices flowing. Flux Pavilion's 2011 production remains one of the most revered bass tracks of any kind. That's why it works so well as the first edition of Matroda's Trilogy Of Bass. Of course he's not the first to try his hand at remixing the prolific production, but his take is a tremendous, booming success. He's taken the fire five minute dubstep deathstar and flipped it into a stomping bass house blitzkrieg. The bass remains as the primary element, and in this new format continues to crack off like crazy, while being whipped up with more consistent regularity as is demanded in house. But it's not just bass on bass on bass (because bass boosted mixes aren't the be all and end all). The original's success comes in large part thanks to the tickling tones and their play in and around the bass. They are the necessary yang to the yin of the dark low end. And Matroda's done a masterful job of repackaging and re-purposing them in this new "Bass Cannon" kick. Load up your playlist and prepare for war by downloading it free via The Artist Union, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more of Matroda's Trilogy Of Bass via his socials, all linked below.FOLLOW MATRODA: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW FLUX PAVILION: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Whethan - Love Gang (ft. Charli XCX)

Ethan Snoreck, better known as Whethan, has been breaking genre boundaries ever since coming on the scene. However, there's nothing fringe about these experimental productions, a quick scroll through his soundcloud shows several tracks with multiple million plays. His latest, "Love Gang," seems a safe bet to join the slew of super successful productions that came before. Having superstar vocalist Charlie XCX lending her lyrics cannot hurt either. But working with big names is nothing new to Whethan, who's already worked with Flux Pavilion and remixed the likes of MssingNo and Zayn. But back to "Love Gang," which feels a bit like a spiritual successor to "Savage," the aforementioned Flux Pavilion collab.

Both are lead by an almost indie rock, gritty guitar. They're hyper musical, and easily enjoyable pieces of poppy electronic music. The vocals catch your ear quickly, allowing for a quality connection between the producer and already large, yet continually growing, fan base. Both "Savage" and "Love Gang" live up to their names beautifully, especially as the latter lifts listeners with its ebullient energy. I cannot help but hear this as one of the songs of the summer, sure to hear it all over the place: car stereos, radio shows, clubs and festivals alike. So as the lyrics say "put it in your pocket, like a rocket and fly." Stream "Love Gang" below, watch the lyric video here, and purchase the Whethan, Charli XCX collab here. FOLLOW WHETHAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW CHARLI XCX: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

G Jones - Pull Up

There's no other way to describe G Jones' latest track "Pull Up," as anything other than bass. With riddim, dubstep and trap influences throughout, "Pull Up" is a confluence of the all the best, bass-focused genres has to offer. It's menacing, rattling the very core of the listener, with sound design reminiscent of the best bass producers known to this world. Somehow he's channeled Flux Pavilion, Excision, Bassnectar, Rusko and RL Grime, and combined them all, in a cohesive and killer fashion.
I cannot help but envision an interstellar space battle, as ships careen through explosions, with lasers and rockets blasting all around. In fact I think it should be the soundtrack for the latest installment of Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The real magic and guiding force behind "Pull Up" is the percussion; resisting it is futile as G Jones grabs listeners by the scruff of the neck, dunking our heads in toilet bowls, brazenly bullying us with his bombastic bass throbs. From its ravey beginnings through its domineering and derelict devolution of dance sentimentalities, G Jones succeeds in delivering his vision for bass tracks of the future. "Pull Up" is the lead single from his forthcoming EP, Visions, set to be released "early 2017," for which he is also touring North America from December 30th through April 22nd. He makes a stop at Toronto's Velvet Underground February 1st, tickets at gjonesbass.com

FOLLOW G JONES: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Funkin Matt - Aero (ft. Chris Lie)

Fresh off Dim Mak, Funkin Matt heads high up into the sky before violently dropping "Aero" on our heads, throroughly concussing listeners with deep future vibes. Utilizing Chris Lie's vocals much the same way he used Mariah Carey's in his remix with Gregor Salto of the classic "You're Mine (Eternal)," Funkin Matt has clearly found his magic skeleton key, unlocking awesomeness at every turn. I personally cannot get enough of Matt's productions, whether it's the incredibly bouncy "Elastic," the whirling percussion of "America," his masterful mix of Steve Aoki & Flux Pavilion's "Get Me Outta Here," the wartoad rumbling of "Mad," or my favourite of his "Foxy," Funkin Matt's future is as bright as ever. While the iTunes link leads to a 2:57 version and the Beatport a 3:31, it is my suggestion that you get a little extra Funk, what could be wrong with that? SUPPORT FUNKIN MATT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Saturday's Shuffle Finds

One of my favourite things about music is reminiscing about, and rediscovering tracks that randomly appear on a large shuffled playlists. Today, during a 3 hour chili cooking session, my phone's shuffle played me these great tracks:
Flux Pavilion - Pogo People
The 2 Bears - Take A Look Around Mssingno - XE2 Sable - Surf Madeaux - Chakra feat. Fifi Rong Shaun Frank - Time The Glitch Mob - Beauty Of The Unhidden Heart (Chrome Sparks Remix) Jennifer Lopez - First Love (Syn Cole Remix) Charli XCX - 13reak The Rules (Sava&Razz Remix) A$AP Ferg - Fergsomnia ft. Twista alt-j - Left Hand Free (Lido Remix) Mitski - Francis Forever (Ryan Hemsworth Remix) Fairmont - Gazebo (Sebastien Leger Remix)