Public Service Broadcasting – The Other Side

Posted on by santiago

PSB

Following their 2013 full-length, Inform-Educate-Entertain, Public Service Broadcasting returned with new material this year, launching their second album in February. For those not familiar with PSB, the London duo use samples from archival footage and public information films to create guitar-driven electronica with an unusual but compelling and historical landscape.

In their new LP, The Race For Space, the astral act fly us back to the historic events between America and USSR in the quest for outer space from 1957 to 1972. The suspenseful track “The Other Side” — about Apollo 8’s orbit around the moon and their momentary loss of contact with NASA ground control — shows how the instrumentation seamlessly adapts to the spoken word to create a cinematic and inspirational tune.

PSB also recently released a remix EP of their single “Go.” Listen to LA-based producer Kauf‘s minimalist and stellar take below, and look out for PSB to be revisiting North America on tour sometime this fall.

RMX ROUNDUP: Years & Years + Gryffin / Major Lazer + Paige / Great Good Fine Ok + Shook

Posted on by poetryinanemptycokecan

gryffin

Welcome to another Remix Roundup! Kicking off this edition is Gryffin‘s brand new edit of one of our favorite Years & Years‘ tracks, “King.” Speaking about the mix, the NY producer said “I’ve been a huge fan of Years & Years for quite some time so it was a huge honor when I was asked to remix their track. On this one I wanted to preserve the emotion and fun atmosphere of the original but give it a lively, euphoric vibe.” He nailed the euphoric vibes all right — stream this stunning rendition below.

Next, Major Lazer‘s “Get Free” gets a major facelift from Paige, another NY-based producer. While the original from Major Lazer (Diplo‘s side project) starring the Dirty Projectors‘ Amber Coffman on vocals has a more laidback vibe — Paige injects the mix with a deep house groove and big bass sound, making it a dance floor pleaser for sure. Pick this one up for free over on Paige’s Soundcloud page.

Finally, Shook shakes things up with an official new edit of Great Good Fine Ok‘s “Too Much To Handle.” The original from Brooklyn duo GGFO has already been mixed a number of times, but this sparkling and summery retake by the Dutch producer is by far our favorite with its refined production and playful synth lines. As an aside, GGFO will be playing at DC’s DC9 Nightclub this week on June 4, so be sure to check them out if you’re nearby!

Seoul – Haunt / A Light

Posted on by poetryinanemptycokecan

Seoul

Canadian chillwave act Seoul are set to release their first full-length, I Become A Shade next month and have a shared a new track in advance of the debut. They first captivated us with their single “Stay With Us,” and the new one, “Haunt / A Light” is another lush, reflective electronic arrangement that has drawn sonic comparisons to Rhye. Seoul’s debut album will be released June 9 on Last Gang Records in Canada and Grand Jury in the US.

Ben Khan – 2022 Zodiac

Posted on by poetryinanemptycokecan

benkhan

Following up his debut EP 1992, the London-based, integer-loving artist Ben Khan released his new EP 1000 this week. The four-track effort is fused with his signature mix of electronic, soul, experimental, and future-pop that can’t help but escape comparisons to the fabled Jai Paul. The last song on the EP, “2022 Zodiac” is a dark, distinctive closer with abstruse samples from the 1975 thriller Picnic at Hanging Rock. Although we wish it were longer, we dig the vibe so stream below.

HONNE – Top To Toe

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HONNE

HONNE has been on the top of the blogosphere charts for some time now, but it wasn’t until we heard “Top To Toe” that we fell head over heel. The UK duo make soulful, sensuous music along the lines of Chet Faker or SOHN. Honne is a Japanese word describing a person’s true feelings or desires, which in the culture is often contrasted with tatemae — the Japanese word for public behavior — to highlight the dichotomy between the two.

In light of this, honne (本音) seems like a worthy title for the London duo’s brand of late night, swoon-inducing electro-soul. Take a listen to “Top To Toe” off their EP Coastal Love, released this month below.

RMX ROUNDUP: The Drums + RAC / Sam Feldt + EDX / José González + Dino Soccio

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José-González-Let-It-Carry-You-Dino-Soccio-Remix

Kicking off this installment of Remix Roundup is a new one from RAC‘s repertoire, a remix of The Drums “Kiss Me Again.” RAC takes the surfy original (from the Brooklyn duo’s latest album Encyclopedia) to new levels with layered synths and a drum machine, giving it an overall ’80s feel. Regarding the selection, RAC said, “The Drums have been somewhat of an obsession of mine. When the opportunity came up to do a remix, I had to do it.” Pick up a free download of this jubilant mix on Soundcloud.

Speaking of the ’80s, if you’re a product of the era with a predilection for ’90s pop, you’ll most likely recognize this next one. Veteran Swiss-based producer EDX has done a retake of Sam Feldt‘s cover of the 1993 classic, “Show Me Love” by Robin S. We loved the original summery reimagination from Dutch producer Sam Feldt, and EDX elevates the tropical house track to a dance-floor ready jam. Sam Feldt’s version will be out June 1 via Spinnin’ Records.

Last but not least, we lead you out with this hauntingly eloquent rework of José González‘ single, “Let It Carry You” from LA producer/DJ Dino Soccio. Soccio manages to retain the airy organic feel of the original (that won accolades from the man González himself), while simultaneously adding a chillwavey nu-disco backdrop. Let this resplendent edit carry you to transcendence just after the four-minute mark.

Beat Connection – Illusion

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beat_connection

Our favorite beatmakers from Seattle have shared a new single off their upcoming sophomore album, scheduled for release later this year. Beat Connection brings the funk on their latest effort “Illusion,” with an unexpected guitar riff and of course their signature shimmering synths. Stream the original below, along with an official mix from Amsterdam DJ/producer Saux — who ups the tempo for a splendid dance-floor groove.

Beat Connection will be on tour this summer supporting Django Django (including a stop in DC), so scope out the tour dates below.

Beat Connection on Tour
* with Django Django
7/16-18 – Timber! Outdoor Music Fest – Carnation, WA
7/28 – Webster Hall – New York, NY*
7/29 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC*
7/31-8/02 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
8/02 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN*
8/06 – Mayan Theater – Los Angeles, CA*
8/07 – The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA*
8/23 – MusicfestNW – Portland, OR
10/9-11 – ACL Music Festival – Austin, TX

Feki – Remember

Posted on by poetryinanemptycokecan

Feki1

Rising Australian producer Feki recently released an original single called “Remember,” which caught our ears for its smooth and soulful production. Fuse future beats with R&B grooves, plus pitch-shifted vocal samples from Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” and you have a downtempo dish done right. Stream below and pick up a free download on Soundcloud.

Pleasure Curses – Lust

Posted on by santiago

pleasurecurse

Pleasure Curses is a DC electronic duo that just released their new EP Pure / Lust on homegrown label Prince George Records. Recorded in an isolated and unfurnished house outside Chicago, the concept of the three-track EP was to “merge the cold, rigid sounds of new-wave synthesizers and drum machines with the vibrancy and energy of samba-inflected percussion.”

The lead single “Lust” is a minimal, shadowy track with a light dusting of disco. Listen below and if you’re in the ‘hood, catch Pleasure Curses opening for Tei Shi this Saturday, April 25 at DC9, and then May 22 at the Smithsonian.

Crystal Castles – Frail

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cc

Well this is an unexpected surprise. Despite the announcement that one half of Crystal Castles, Alice Glass was leaving the band last October, extant member Ethan Kath posted a new track on Soundcloud today called “Frail” — which in true CC fashion is anything but.

With a new vocalist in place on the track (whose vocal gymnastics don’t sound all that dissimilar from Glass’) named Edith, Kath proves that he hasn’t lost his flare for crafting dark and dissonant production ‘scapes. Perhaps the friction between the former duo served as a catalyst for new material? Celebrate the continuance of Crystal Castles in its new form with “Frail” below.