Enlightened Listening for April 5

It's time to become one with the weekend by enjoying the latest offerings from the wonderful world of electronic music. This week's Enlightened Listening features a strong serving of smooth flowing, electronic ease, a dash of funky fun and a big banging remix EP to close things out. Maxd opens with some cool lofi creativity which bleeds beautifully into bitbird's 3rd Gouldian Finch compilation which houses some supremely slick creations from Knapsack, Rome in Silver, Duskus and more. Next up galen tipton taps into the energetic chiptune side bitbird used to command. The genius of GRiZ comes through with another next level album featuring the likes of Snoop Dogg, Bootsy Collins & Wiz Khalifa, among others. And speaking of next level albums, Jai Wolf would seem to have found his groove as The Cure To Loneliness is not just exceptionally crafted, but incredibly heartfelt and heartening; truly beautiful. And it doesn't get much more beautiful than Goldroom's "Yellow Flowers" which with each and every play has led my jaw to drop to the floor. Staying on the floor but with the feet this time, Myd manages to concoct one of the most intoxicating offerings of the year. Rounding out the singles, Soulwax's remix of "Work It" sparks up some stunningly twisted techno, sure to have your head spinning. Finally BIJOU has brought together one of the better remix packages of the year tapping ANGELZ, YOOKiE, Gerry Gonza and others to take on the malicious "Memories." Enjoy below!

Maxd - wys

Various Artists - Gouldian Finch 3

galen tipton - scream

GRiZ - Ride Waves

Jai Wolf - The Cure To Loneliness

Goldroom - Yellow Flowers (ft. Mereki)

Myd - Superdiscoteca

Marie Davidson - Work It (Soulwax Remix)

BIJOU - Memories (Remixes)

FIRE FESTIVAL 2019 OFFICIAL RECAP Playlist

This weekend the world was tuned in to the awe-inspiring success that was FIRE FESTIVAL 2019, the spiritual successor to last year's head-turning COALCHELLA. Boasting A.G. Cook, Arty, Hudson Mohawke, Iglooghost, Slumberjack, YOOKiE, and a whole host of others on one incredible bill, the two day extravaganza had everything. Whether you stayed locked in on one stage or took full advantage of the epic Minecraft world, the whole undertaking was an absolute wonder. As early as Saturday night, sets began to get shared to Soundcloud, many of which come complete with download and/or tracklist. While I (obviously) didn't get a chance to hear each set, a few of my favourites that you can find in SLEEPYCATT's official recap playlist are Krysh, Poolboy, and onlytom. Stream/download below.

YOOKiE - Subs (James Meyers & AWAL Remix)

Nearly two months ago I wrote about YOOKiE's track "Subs" on my friend's blog, FUXWITHIT, (post here). Today it received a brain battering remix courtesy Chicago's James Meyers and mystery man, AWAL. These two put YOOKiE's incredibly designed original production to good use, taking the already diabolical drop to a more monstrous level. In the post above, I describe "Subs" as "part Frankenstein's monster, part Ridley Scott's Alien," and while that image stands strong in this revision, it's almost more visceral in its presentation. It's as though "Subs" were the original Alien from 1979, and this is the reboot with Predator. It's more violent than its predecessor, taking the original throbbing of "Subs" and upping the intensity. It shows a warped perspective of the universe, showing utter despair and licentiousness at its core. Whether it's the egg beater-esque treatment of the synth, the maleficent manipulation of the additional vocals or the ominous strobing alarm, there is nothing in this track that isn't an assault on either the original or our humanity. The inherent evil of this remix is unavoidable, reminding me of the darkness of Rezz, who yesterday responded to my tweet wondering "does she feed off nightmares" with simply "the depth of my brain." Dive into the depths of the brains of both James Meyers and AWAL, but only if you dare. Download the track for free via Artist Engine, here. FOLLOW AWAL: FACEBOOK SOUNDCOUD TWITTER
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Black Tiger Sex Machine - Futuristic Thriller Mix Part XIV

In case you've been under a rock for the past two plus years (and even then I wouldn't be surprised if Lucasfilm some how marketed to people under rocks), they're making new Star Wars films again. There's just about nothing left that hasn't been used to market/promote these new films. From completely unrelated products like batteries or razors, to sports shows and more, Star Wars has infected the consciousness of seemingly the whole world through militaristic marketing strategies. And listen, I get it, Star Wars was and has been a massive part of people's childhoods and brings back some major nostalgia, member? And who doesn't love the endorphins from a good memory?

So whether paid promotion or loving, free promotion like Black Tiger Sex Machine has just done with their "Futuristic Thriller Mix Part XIV," we're, for good or bad, stuck with Star Wars on the brain. I was a fan, and certainly did enjoy the original three parts when I was young, then parts of the three prequels when I was a little bit older, but I've yet to see The Force Awakens and am not planning to see Rogue One. It's just not for me, but this mix, most certainly is. Black Tiger Sex Machine have delivered a delightfully dark and forceful 44 minute mix, filled with Star Wars soundbites and big time bass tunes.
The captains of Kannibalen, show off their impressive mixing skills and massive library of unreleased productions, including multiple tracks from their forthcoming All I Want For Christmas Is Bass compilation: Karluv Klub's "Love Addicted," YOOKiE's "Subs," and Fed-Up's "Up D Ladda." There's also tracks from Axel Boy "Bun Up N Tun Up," Tommy Trash & Kittens "Nasty," Bare & Riot Ten "Knockout," TWOLOUD's edit of "Front2Back," as well as their own, "Armada" and "Face Down." However, my favourite bit comes when they use Luke's conversation with Obi-Wan as a riser leading into the drop of Deadmau5's "Imaginary Friends." You could say it's perfect because Luke's actually speaking with the ghost/spectral form of his dead friend, Obi-Wan.

In the final 10 minutes or so they go full steam ahead with a number of fire unreleased tunes, capping the mix with what we can only hope are tracks set to be released in the near future. I'm not sure there are any DJs more fitting for a Star Wars themed mix, as Black Tiger Sex Machine's sounds are full of lasers and space-aged effects, imitating explosions and warp speed propulsion. Despite sounding like the dark side this trio are truly rebels, as powerful as the likes of Luke, Leia and Han. But I suppose since their all male, you could sub out Leia for Chewy. Anyway, If you want to enjoy this mix again, they've made it available for free download via hive, here.

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