New Music For Your Weekend

Fridays are always the best day of the week, both for new music releases and for live shows. This week is no different, and is perhaps the best Friday of the year, in large part thanks to the highly anticipated debut EP, New Laces, from Pusher, and hometown heroes, Loud Luxury taking the stage at UNIUN. Below you'll find some of the releases I'm dead excited about and will be playing a ton this weekend. New Laces is a true artistic masterpiece, the first three tracks "Clear," "Tell You," and "Shake Down," are all in the conversation for my track of the year. Not only do they range in styles, but they showcase three different vocalists, for which Pusher so perfectly works around their lyrics. Add to that three more tracks with an additional three vocalists and you've got album that surely marks the official 'startup' of what promises to be a phenomenal career. Make no mistake, Pusher has been on my radar ever since I heard his remix of Ryn Weaver's "OctaHate," but New Laces will propel Pusher into the ears and hearts of music fans worldwide. I for one am anxiously awaiting his next live set, fingers crossed that he headlines a Toronto show soon, so he can really show off his awesome mixing style.  From Point Point's Record Record imprint comes, DZZ's debut EP Wishes. Bright and bleepy, the three originals and additional remix from Maxo, flow from a fluorescent factory of feels. A combination of Porter Robinson sentimentality and Cashmere Cat creativity, the shower of sparkles that is the 8-bit, lullaby-esque beauty of Wishes guarantees good feelings all around.  I think it's safe to say my favourite label is Monstercat, thanks to the consistent quality they pump out, not to mention they're the home of one of my favourite artists, Stephen Walking. Of course they also enjoy producers, Conro, Tristam and Aero Chord. The latter, Aero Chord, has Monstercat's latest release, "The 90s," which is a delicious depiction of future bass. Aero Chord offers up bounding bass and the soaring soundtrack-esque synths that make that decade so delightful.A close second in the race for my favourite label is AC Slater's Night Bass. The carefully curated content they release is always awesome, and Kry Wolf's Temper certainly fits the billing. Ballsy, big and bouncy the three track EP is everything we've come to expect from the duo. Fear not the dark of Night Bass as Kry Wolf are armed with a "Flashlight" that will have you in "Wavves" of ecstasy. Toronto's own Shaun Frank is riding some kind of high lately, having released massive records with The Chainsmokers, DVBBS and Oliver Heldens. "Let You Get Away" is however a solo production, and one without frequent collaborator, Delaney Jane. But once again, Shaun Frank fills our speakers with an undeniably awesome production. The man simply knows how to produce, especially around vocals.Another Canadian that's been on a tear lately, is Vancouver's own, Vanic. His latest, "Samurai" showcases his sharp ear for production, slicing and dicing synths around Katy Tiz's vocals, proving Vanic is not just a flash in the pan talent, but a true heavy hitter that can swing with the best. There's something about this Vera production that just captures my attention. Perfect for Pelican Fly, the cool Copenhagen producer pits big bass against raucous, rapturous wild sounds that remind me of RL Grime, Toto's "Africa" and Dem Slackers' remix of "Fifty What." I for one cannot wait to hear what else Vera has in store for us with the rest of her debut EP, scheduled to be released September 23rd. NGHTMRE is fresh off his killer collab "Need You" with Dillon Francis, yet may have just dropped an even deeper, darker and more dangerous death star of sorts. The veteran presence of Zeds Dead on "Frontlines" propels NGHTMRE into another stratosphere, likely launching this track into even more DJ sets and onto even more radio stations. Why not finish with a fire free download from Winnipeg, the city with perhaps the highest number of producers, per capita. Released on Kardoso's LUXE label, CCIV & PRZM have found a number of their tracks on Bump In The Hump, and you better believe "Mindmelt" will get a spin on Radio Humber as well. Whenever these two match up, the resulting track is pure power, and "Mindmelt" is just that. The bass is big enough to cause a concussion and make your brain bleed, but in a good way.

Maxo - Plushlined

 

Musical mastermind, Maxo is certainly in the giving spirit having just dropped the first single off his new EP for free. His brand new track "Plushlined" ought to ensure the hype for full release holds through the holiday season, though the clever and polished production value of his trademark arcade bit-tune style. His productions always transport the listener into some kind of high powered, bonus level of you favourite early Nintendo or Sega game. The atmosphere and flow is so seductive you can't shake the feeling that you've evolved into some kind of superhero capable single-handedly ridding the world of evil. The opening section invokes the menu and loading screens before the adventure really begins to take off; bright and beautiful synths are supported by snappy drum licks and just the right amount of symbolic effects set the mood. With a single and subtle flourish the image is changed and we're off running, jumping over obstacles and defeating enemies. The progressions and change in musical elements, while the same overall feel is maintained drives the movement through various settings on this musical level. The greatest success in the track lies in the constant development and progression in all of the musical elements, whether it is the drums persistent movement or the eternal evolution of the synths setting up all the elements to come. The track is perhaps one of the best boss fights beats I've ever heard and can assure you, your character will fare better with Maxo orchestrating your skirmish. If you need any more Maxo music to slaughter your enemies to, let me recommend: his original "Eddy Vancover," his cover of Justin Bieber "What Do You Mean" his album Chordslayer, and his Level Music collection.

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Monday Mashed Up Mix #2

Each Monday I post a little mix of less than 30 minutes for your listening pleasure. It contains a variety of electronic music mixed and mashed up to varying degrees. The music is always first and foremost while DJing and mixing skills are meant to take a back seat. It includes some brand new stuff but also some forgotten gems and whatever it was that had entered my consciousness. I'll be hosting them on my Dropbox page for your listening and downloading pleasure, MONDAY MASHED UP MIX VOL 2. You can find the tracklisting and links for each track after the break...