9 new tracks from the long weekend

Whether you're Canadian and celebrated Thanksgiving, you're American and celebrated Columbus day, or you're neither, you may have missed some fresh new tracks from the likes of Bring The Noise, Lost Kings, and Skylar Spence among others. Classics from Nero and Porter Robinson/Madeon received bootleg remixes, but of course that's not all; I've highlighted 9 tracks that range from light and bubbly pop to dark electro bass. The first, and perhaps most disturbingly underplayed track of this weekend comes from Bring The Noise. Despite their near 15k followers on Facebook, "West Side" has only 23 plays at the time I write this. This is a travesty as it is an absolutely awesome production, dripping with dark vibes, playing with old school rap motifs while warbling bass throbs beneath, giving the impression that something immense is about to happen. It sets us up perfectly for the rest of the tracks to come. Obviously I'm a fan of Nero's "Crush On You," after having written about Animal HÖuse's remix of it last month. Now DJ duo DIV/IDE has put their own touch on the classic, relying on a piano driven lead and an awesome bass house drop. The groove is strong with this one, freely flowing, and utterly enjoyable. Changing course drastically, the next track is from one of the brightest duos in the game right now, Lost Kings. Their latest, "Phone Down" continues their tropical tilt alongside divine piano chords, and a powerful and poignant message from vocalist Emily Warren. Maybe the most alluring track in this nine pack (knowing my love for hyperactive bubbly pop tracks), comes from gupi, in the form of "Great Day." It's like if the Teletubbies took speed, went to Tommorowland, and this is the soundtrack to the montage video. "Wow, what a great day..." As deep and dark as the infinite abyss that is outer-space, where Moonzz and her track "Wonder" emanate from, this mix from DNMO ups the ante, injecting the original with rocketfuel. It refills the stasis chambers allowing the interstellar vehicle to travel further than ever imagined. Bursting at the seams, Pierce's track "What We're Looking For" is absolutely explosive. There's no way you can hear this track without feeling it's tremendous power, while brilliantly combining a number of sounds and styles. Like many of the above tracks it too can be downloaded for free. After seeing Skylar Spence at Bestival this summer, I knew I'd found someone special. The uplifting and groovy disco vibes he delivers are simply sublime. His latest, released on Carpark Records, maintains that delightfully dance-worthy energy and sentimentality. Of course Porter Robinson and Madeon's collaborative effort "Shelter" has been firmly entrenched in the minds of their thousands of fans, but save for Luca Lush's lift, there hasn't been a truly fitting remix. That is until now. soupandreas and Soflex seem to have been able to get into the mindset of the two veteran producers, reimagining "Shelter" as a more necessary reality, a hideout in an apocalyptic future. The last track in this collection of new, fresh productions comes from Ryan Hemsworth's Secret Songs collective, courtesy Rytmeklubben member, DJ Karaoke. His superb and saintly synth work soars with brilliant beauty alongside an angelic, ethereal choir. It too is available entirely free.

Lucas remixes Wiz Khalifa, Beyonce, Rihanna, Future, Jeremih and more in Fliptape EP

Seattle based producer and Secret Songs alum, Lucas just dropped a six track remix package/EP in which he puts his own spin on many of the hottest tracks of the past few years, including Beyonce's "Formation," Rihanna's "Work" and Jeremih's "Don't Tell Em." Each track is available for free download individually on Soundcloud, or you can get all of them together as a compressed folder, here. These are by no means bangers or even really club tools, they're basically just bootleg versions that take the original track in a different direction. Lucas showcases his subdued and subtle style, not being flashy but still beefing up the original. A little jazz, a little air-horn, and a little after-hours affectation give the Fliptape and all of these tracks a new life and purpose. These are the kind of tracks you can break out to impress your friends, as you chill on the dock or reminisce about the night before. Add Fliptape to your library and enjoy the rest of the summer with these tracks in your shuffle.

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DUCKY - Don't Give Up Yet EP

After two months of silence from Ryan Hemsworth's Secret Songs collective, the indie label strikes back with perhaps its best release to date. Ever ebullient Los Angeleno, Ducky delivers a delightful four track EP, that sets a new, sparkling, standard both for her productions as well as Secret Songs'. My love for Ryan Hemsworth and Secret Songs is no secret to followers of Bump In The Hump or Enlightenment For Your Ears. Still one of my favourite tracks of all time, Henrik The Artist's "Naked," was released on Secret Songs last year. However the brilliant "Naked," may have lost a little bit of its shine as Ducky's Don't Give Up Yet is seriously scintillating.  Buoyant, bouncy and fantastically freeing, each track irrupts with unfamiliarly fresh feels.

Getting off to a blistering pace, Don't Give Up Yet begins with "Bliss," a peppy, high-spirited track with supersonic synths strides, centered around punchy percussion pops and rising bass bumps. It is the ultimate opening track, immediately catching your ear, while setting the scene for the rest of the joyous journey through sound.

The second track "Heal," sees Ducky really getting into the groove with some near nightcore driving depth and happy hardcore zest. The fluttering future vibes from the synths steal the show, placing listeners in an extremely uplifting and invigorating landscape, as though having your health restored in a Pokemon Center with Nurse Joy.

Whereas both "Bliss" and "Heal" are entirely effusive and elated tracks, there's something slightly different about the third track "Don't Look Down." While it too features the bubbly characteristics of Ducky's production quality, it has a slightly darker tone; one in which doubt and fear creep in. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about it that doesn't feel complete, which I find rather intriguing. I believe it's a deliberate ploy by Ducky in not completing many of the musical phrases the way our ears intuit it to. That being said, Ducky does not leave us hanging, as I believe "Don't Look Down" to be the most well rounded track of the EP.

Closing out Don't Give Up Yet, Ducky once again showcases her ability to create a cohesive and complete EP, not just as a compilation of similar sounding tracks, but as an artistic arc of musical movement. The grand finale "Open Yourself Up and Let Her Pour Out" once again utilizes her signature sounds, but in a more peeled back, emotional nature, indicative of the track's title. Don't Give Up Yet provides the foundation for such a fiercely fresh and expository arc, that makes it a musical marvel, truly one of the best EPs of the year.

Although the vast majority of Secret Songs collection is available for free download, Ducky's Don't Give Up Yet is not, but we can understand why; she deserves to reap the benefits of crafting such a fine piece of artwork. Add it to your Spotify or buy it via iTunes.

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Valentines Day: Love According To DJs

Usually one doesn't need any excuse to release new music but, when an excuse like Valentines Day comes around a massive amount of new music seems to explode forth. This year is no different, we've received the ninth installment of Hudson Mohawke's yearly Slow Jam series. two new tracks from Geek Boy & Mord Fustang, a scratch routine from Mr Switch, a re-release from mix-master, Skratch Bastid's Valentines Day Mix for The Strombo Show, and finally Esentrik's mix for Diplo & Friends.

Hudson Mohawke is well regarded as one of the best and most well rounded artists the world of music has to offer. Whether its his original productions, his productions for Kanye West or his work with Lunice as TNGHT, HudMo is a force to be reckoned with. When given the chance to pickup one of his curated sets, you'd be stupid not to jump on it. This year he plays our heartstrings with an all UK version of his now infamous Valentines Slow Jams series, also available for free download. This isn't the first Geek Boy track on Enlightenment For Your Ears (see his cover with MYLK, here), so perhaps you're already familiar with his incredibly beautiful soaring style. This version of Lily-Jo is exactly that. Swirling, it lifts you up and embraces you in its loving arms, spinning you round in in euphoric passion. Pick it up from iTunes or add it to your Spotify playlist, and feel the love. Mord Fustang's style has changed over the years, yet the overcoming warm synths have stuck with him throughout his career. Those very synths play an extremely important role in the heavenly original, "I Will Always Miss You." He seems to achieve the title's objective, injecting an overwhelming feeling of longing, leaving you feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Valentine's DJ
St Valentine's Day can be a battleground of mixed emotions - whatever your relationship status, and whether you are enamoured with the idea of a day dedicated to l'amour or not.. it can be a very divisive occasion.And I thought, what better way to sum up the mixed feelings on the subject than with a DJ scratch routine?!Tracks: James Brown - Sunny (Featurecast Remix) / Kelis - Caught Out There
Posted by Mr Switch - World DJ Champion on Friday, 13 February 2015

In less than 40 seconds, Mr Switch succeeds in encapsulating the feelings many of us are overcome with when in love. Since love isn't always this perfect euphoric feeling, it is a process, a back and forth, and perhaps Pat Benatar was right, love is a battlefield. Maybe just a candle lit one. Much like Mr Switch, Skratch Bastid excels at illustrating the interplay and movement inherent in love. His massive library gets a rinse in this twenty minute masterpiece, as Skratch shows of his story telling and mixing prowess. Good luck listening to this without getting down - highly hypnotic.
Diplo & Friends is quickly becoming one of the most consumed radio show/podcasts around. Last year it was Ryan Hemsworth and his Secret Songs hour that took our hearts hostage on Valentines day, but this year it's Esentrik who takes that role. From opening with STFU's "We All Fall Down" to Alison Wonderland's "What Do You Mean" and his own "Love You Down" the hits are endless. But that's not all the tricks up his sleeve, he also delivers classic N'Sync, and a double dose of Janet Jackson. Hot off last night's debut, be prepared to melt upon hearing Esentrik's hot hot heat.

In case that weren't enough, I highly recommend listening to Chet Porter's latest, "tbh ily," here.

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Ryan Hemsworth & Lucas - From Grace (Henrik The Artist Remix)

With the all Canadian restriction on Radio Humber, it's so far been impossible to get one of my favourite artists, Henrik The Artist's music on Bump In The Hump. But thanks to Ryan Hemsworth's Secret Songs latest release I can finally showcase the saintly sounds of one of the hottest Norwegian acts.

While the original "From Grace" from Hemsworth and Lucas leaves a haunting hollow feeling the remix from Henrik fills the listener with energy and enthusiasm. There is no other artist that I turn to for a sure fire smile and feeling of warmth; Henrik is tremendously successful in making music that the listener can wrap around themselves, like a cozy blanket. You'll be treated to this uplifting remix (which you can pick up free), and more tracks to warm your heart tonight on Bump In The Hump.

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The Best Musical Moment of 2015

Being the last day of 2015, it gives me great pleasure to share my favourite musical moment of the year, one that has followed me through the busiest and craziest years I've experienced. The clip below is from Ryan Hemsworth's valentine day mix for Diplo & Friends. In 7 and half minutes Hemsworth plays at least 10 different tracks, mixed so perfectly it sends the feels up my spine every time I hear them.

Cut right out of his hour long mix, this snippet encapsulates the mix as a whole and does a superb job of establishing the ethos of one of Canada's most treasured commodities, the genius, Ryan Hemsworth. The serene, rising beauty of noclip's "Samantha" sets the mood for the breathtaking ride that Hemsworth has in store. His eclectic style is first established with the incoming Rae Sremmurd "Unlock The Swag" vocals combined with the more powerful and driving Cosmo's Midnight "Trapperkeeper." The back and forth/coming and going nature of his mixing creates a brilliant and dynamic fluidity that you cannot help but be overcome by.

Even his fades (with filtering) is done to perfection as he eases us into each new element; upon each dropping in, each element feels familiar as though it is where it were meant to be. The anthemic yet personal and conversational tone and nature of GFOTY's "Believe" perfectly illustrates the hilariously successful contrast of kawaii music with gangster rapping through the mix. My favourite section come from the end of "Believe" into Henrik The Artist's "Naked" combined with Cash Out's "Hold Up." It has been my default ringtone since early spring, and I can't imagine changing it anytime soon. It was my first exposure to Henrik who has quickly become one of my favourite artists.

Hemsworth's superior mixing rolls right through into INODI's "I Want U," at which point more Sauce Twinz "2 Legited 2 Quited," is seamlessly added to Murlo's "Beatless Selene." The atmospheric feels abound as Hemsworth works his musical magic over us, before ending his sample heavy mix transitioning into Dream Beach's "Missing Peace." When writing these blog posts I sometimes grow tired of listening to the same piece over and over again but I it's nearly as amazing this time nearly a year after original hearing it, and listening to it dozens of times throughout 2015.

The whole hour long mix is my favourite of the year and most certainly my go to option when I need something to get lost in for an hour; it is my musical safe-space. I hope it speaks to you in the same way it did for me, especially as a child of the late 80s/early 90s with its video game inspired sounds and throwback feels. Perhaps you'd be interested in hearing his "Just Rap Mix" that he dropped prior to his tour with Tommy Kruise. Otherwise just keep your ears open for more from Hemsworth, who just seems to have his hand in everything, including his Secret Songs 'label' where you can pick up each release for free, including Henrik The Artist's "Naked." Go forth and share the magic that is Ryan Hemsworth music.
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Selerac - For Those Involved In Hennessy

Ryan Hemsworth's Secret Songs label is slowly winning the internet, one free release at a time. The latest release is a twelve minute epic from North Carolinian, Selerac. It sounds as though it's plucked right out of a Christopher Nolan film, full of dissonance and unearthly feels. It's heavy on mood and atmosphere that transport you and your corporeal form to another plane of existence until the beat drops, at which point you become tied up in a heavenly struggle, mimicking the human condition.
Perhaps the title, "For Those Involved In Hennessy," is a clue to better understanding the meaning behind this mysterious journey. I'm not a fan of Hennessy, but something makes me think that I should give it a try and see where the track takes me while under its influence.