Apologies…

Apologies to anyone who sort of follows me, I have had another long break, this time my excuse is better, I have had AS levels (see told you).

Anyway, down to business. A couple of posts ago I mentioned some upcoming albums that I didn’t want to disappoint me, well…they have both arrived.

The first, imaginatively named Crystal Castles II – Crystal Castles

Their 1st album was incredible. This one is most definitely a movement away from it, much more ambient as opposed to the brutality of the first album. Highlights of the album are these three songs:

Doe Deer – Crystal Castles

This was the first song I heard on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show and thought, bloody hell this is going to be a very dark album. In fact this was an anomaly compared to the rest, but it is brilliant. Very distorted, very brutal, very crystal castles.

Celestica – Crystal Castles γ song

This was the first ‘new direction’ (glee!!) song I heard, and it was love at first hearing. Just let yourself float away to this song. Very trippy.

Not In Love – Crystal Castles

This one was further down the album, and something reminiscent can be heard from their first album in this song, check it out.

Overall, this album gets an 8.74/10, through a mean rating system compared to an 8.75/10 from their first album. Both Very good albums, but both different in their own ways.

The other album was:

This album was of less importance to me due to it being released just after the above album and I was obsessed with that.This gets an 8.36/10. Good but doesn’t top Crystal castles’ but it does beat it’s previous album which I give a 7.82/10.

Highlights are:

Miami – Foals

Really liked this song because of the guitar song and the melody of the chorus.

Alabaster – Foals

More downbeat and echoey than other songs but the sustained notes are very relaxing, awesome

Now, moving onto some drum and bass and dubstep (or gorestep)

I was asked to get this song for a friend and was very pleasantly surprised with it. The artist, Camo & Krooked are a predominantly DnB artist but when I listened to the first half of the song, a house beat was rattling my room, I thought OK slight movement of genre. However the song builds up a drops into a full blown DnB beat with an awesome bassline.

History Of The Future – Camo & Krooked

The next artist I found after a friend linked a youtube video of him on facebook. His dubstep is so filthy that apparently ‘Borgore Killed Dubstep’ and his genre is Gorestep. Check it out:

Act Like A Ho – Borgore

‘Girl, when we in bed act like a ho, but first do the dishes’ <- lol

Peace Out x

The Master Has Returned…

I don’t know who the master is, or what he is doing, but I have most definitely returned, from DurkaDurkaland may I add (<= measly excuse for not posting in a while)

This time, its mega to make up for all the lost time.

For starters, and the main event of the evening, may I introduce to you, Boris Daenen. Never heard of him…how about Netsky, ring any bells? For you drum’n'bass fans out there it should.

He is from Belgium and signed to Hospital Records (what a catch), and that’s pretty much all I know about him, apart from the fact that his music is awesome.

First off, this track will be coming out on the 10th April, I believe. It is the smoothest blend of bleeps and sweeping synths. This will be big.

Netsky – Memory Lane γ song

The next is a remix of Black & Blue by Miike Snow. This incorporates many of the same things that the previous song does. The original was good, this more than does it justice.

Miike Snow – Black & Blue (Netsky Remix)

Now we move onto his latest releases both released on Allsorts:

Eyes Closed/Smile

Netsky – Eyes Closed γ song (couldn’t decide)

Netsky – Smile

Starlight/Young and Foolish

Netsky – Starlight

Netsky – Young and Foolish

Now, Part 2:

Here is a collection of great electronic songs from the last couple of weeks:

Crookers recently released their first album call Tons Of Friends, which has a more than slightly risqué front cover. This is one of the best songs off of it, also listen to ‘Have Mercy’ and ‘Embrace The Martian’.

Crookers – Royal T

Found this on the web, lovely bit of ‘The Requesters’ Style piano house.

Nite Rockets – Summer Love

I love the Qemists, simple as that

Steve Aoki – In The House (Qemists Remix)

Here is a mahoosive dubstep tune for you to get your nails into

M’Black – Heartbreak (Bare Noize Remix)

Another album released recently, this one from the caricature group that is Gorillaz. They needed a lot to top Demon Days, they may have topped it you decide, I can’t, there are however 5 very good songs on it, this being one, the others are: ‘Stylo’, ‘Superfast Jellyfish’, ‘Rhinestone Eyes’ and ‘Glitter Freeze’

Gorillaz – On Melancholy Hill

Upcoming albums that better not disappoint

I recently bought the Vampire Weekend back catalogue, admitted not very big, 2 albums in fact, and they have both had a very large impact on me.

Noteworthy songs:

M79, The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance, A-Punk, Horchata, White Sky, Cousins, Diplomats Son, I Think Ur A Contra and Giving Up The Gun. Whew!

Should be regarded as definite purchases.

2 upcoming albums that I am quivering with excitement are:

The new foals album, been a while since antidotes, heard their new song on Zane Lowe’s show, sign of good things to come.

The other is the Crystal Castles album which is supposed to be coming out in april, which supposedly will be partly demos, partly new material, though no name yet or proper release date.

Great Use Of iTunes Vouchers…

For christmas I received a decent amount of itunes vouchers, and I am generally hesitant to use them, as it has been a long time since I paid for music (don’t tell anyone though! The last album I bought was probably friendly fires – disappointment). Anyway I decided to splash out and I bought ‘Sigh No More’ – Mumford & sons. I’d heard their Little lion man around but I love the continuity of the album. Each song is different but the style is obvious in every song. Plus, you have to love the banjo.

Here is their new single, this is awesome because there is a banjogasm half way through.

Mumford & Sons – The Cave

And here is a slightly more relaxed song from them:

Mumford & Sons – Timshel

And even a 3rd, I’m in a good mood:

Mumford & Sons – Winter Winds

On a completely different note, I found this on youtube, and had to share it with you. Its mix between dubstep and reggae (I guess?), however it is incredible, this will get you fired up.

Tony Anthem & Erb ‘n’ Dub – Fire Bun (Dubstep Mix) γ song

Sit Back, Relax at the beginning of 2010, or not if your at school, like me.

Got some, hopefully relaxing stuff for you today. I recently bought Miike Snow’s album released in october and was blown away. I hadn’t bought it before because I presumed all the tracks on the album would be like ‘Animal’, which is probably my 6th favourite. My favourite however is the one below. It uses piano and bleepy synths and is awe-inspiring.

in search of – miike snow (mp3)

This one I found recently on hype machine and was once again very impressed. Again its bleepy, but this time with some sweeping motion, again with piano, very similar, just its seems happier than “in search of”.

the kids don’t stand a chance (miike snow remix) – vampire weekend (mp3)

Now, I preordered Acolyte by Delphic, and was hoping for the best, and sure did I get it. I bought it today and it hasn’t been switched off. I have always been an album person, rather than single songs, as on almost every album there is at least one hidden gem. Well on Acolyte I found 4. I already knew “Doubt” and “This Momentary”, the gems I found are (from least favourite to most):

3rd. Counterpoint – Delphic

2nd. Acolyte – Delphic

2nd. Halcyon -Delphic (can’t choose between them)

and the incredible

1st. Clarion Call – Delphic (mp3) γ song

I love the minimalist feel to the beginning of this song, then it blows up into a banger of a tune at 1:30. However it is too short in my opinion, only bad thing.

I feel the only song that has let the album down is “Ephemera”, which consists of very little. Apart from that, what a great start to 2010.

Enjoy the songs.

It has been a great week in music terms this week, having heard both these albums.

P.s. I apologise about the links this time, they’re a bit of a jumble, I have had trouble accessing fileden through the school proxy. If you want to stream the songs then click the large Youtube link where it says source, apart from “Halcyon”. From now on I will be using zippyshare

Who’s ill? Doctor P will fix you…

Doctor P is a relatively unknown artist to say the least. Similar artists would be: Rusko, Cookie Monsta and possibly Caspa (at times). A summary of his style of music…filthy dubstep. This is so dirty that you will want a shower after hearing it.

The full release of this 12″ will be coming out in February, but here it is just for you now:

A. Doctor P – Sweet Shop γ song (though there are both great)

AA. Doctor P – Gargoyles

My thanks go out to Hot Biscuits for showing me the first track today.

Top Ten Of The Year

So its New Year’s Eve, and I thought I would round up my greatest songs of 2009, by god its been a good year.

10. The first song and in 10th place was on an album called ‘Scars’ by Basement Jaxx, which was released in September. I have to admit, I did not like the album at first, and i still think that there are some truly awful songs on it (cough! ‘D.I.S.traktionz’), however after I heard the song a few times on my ipod and the radio, my view changed and here it is at number 10. The track is ‘Twerk’, in collaboration with Yo Majesty, an upcoming American Hip Hop group. I especially like the main catch and the auto-tuned voices, I think they work very well. It is fair to say that it is different to most track released this year. In terms of style it is similar to Major Lazer’s EP, which I also love. I recently found out that the ‘twerk’ is a dance move…now the lyrics make sense.

Basement Jaxx – Twerk

9. In at no. 9 is the opening song to one of my most anticipated EP’s of the year, the self titled album by Sub Focus. Before I listened to this album, to me there were plainly drum ‘n’ bass, which I liked as they had their own sound. But what I loved most about this album was the electro house influences, especially in ‘Could This Be Real’. However, the reason I have chosen this one, is because it has both drum ‘n’ bass and house in it. Sub Focus did a VIP DnB remix of ‘Could This Be Real’, and when I listened to it on youtube, one of the comments said that he did it to prove that he wasn’t turning to house, it put me off that song a little. Anyway here is:

Sub Focus – Let The Story Begin

8. This one was created by my favourite french group (I haven’t really got into the whole return of French House scene), they are indeed the Dirtyphonics. They have released some crackers this year: Lottery, Quarks, The Secret and my personal fave, Vandals. I love this song because it has so much in it. It starts as a house track, after the first drop it turns into Electro House, and at the second drop it morphs into Drum ‘n’ Bass. Overall a great track, its just a shame its in 8th (by which I mean that there have been a l0t of great tracks this year). The only other thing I have to say is: ‘It started in a rave, it ended in a riot’. You’ll understand.

Dirtyphonics – Vandals

7. The original of this song was massive when it was released, although it did have a rather weird video. It was of course Ghosts ‘N’ Stuff by Deadmau5. He had a much better follow up album than his first, of which Arguru was the only good song. However, no. 7 is a remix of this done by the second most awesome dubstep artist, after no. 5, Nero. I love this song, it was by far the best remix, before the sub focus one. I love the use of the strings and what sounds like a harpsichord. Almost 7 minutes of bliss.

Deadmau5 – Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff (Nero Remix)

6. I have previously posted this song, so i will be a little more brief. Boy 8 Bit has come of age this year with some great remixes and originals, however this stands out as the best of the lot. For a more detailed reason why love it, see a previous post about Boy 8 Bit.

La Roux – Quicksand (Boy 8 Bit Remix)

5. Half way there now, and here is another song that I have already posted, in fact in my first post. So I’m afraid I will have to refer you back to another previous post.

Simian Mobile Disco – Cruel Intentions (Joker Remix)

4. Moving ever closer to the top spot now and in at no. 4, is the best remix of the year as the top 3 are all originals. I heard this remix before I heard the original and surprisingly I love both. A-Trak’s biggest project of 2009 would probably be his collaboration with AVH in Ducksauce. He managed to squeeze in time for a top notch remix. My favourite part of this song is the main catch @ 1 minute in before th singing starts. I love the fact that the sounds are the same as the original, but the rhythm is completely different.

The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)

3. This is the greatest Drum ‘n’ Bass song of the year, but house fans don’t turn away, there is plenty in this for you. The catch is the ‘catchiest’ thing you will hear for weeks after listening to it. Just listen and you will realise what I mean. I love this song.

J Majik & Wickaman – Flat Line

2. The German, Alexander Ridha, has had an astonishing year. He is also known as Boys Noize. He released his second album Power from which this track is taken. he has done rather well in my top 10 as well as you’ll find out in a minute. I love the sound of Boys Noize, from ‘& down’ to ‘Lava Lava’ and ‘Oh!’, what I particularly love about him is his sounds. My knees go weak for his hard synths (not meant to sound erotic, sorry!)

Boys Noize – Jeffer

1. So we have arrived at the big one. If you haven’t heard this already, where have you been. The first time I heard this was on Annie Mac’s Mashup in July, she played all 8 and a half minutes and I was awestruck. Here’s why:

Erol Alkan & Boys Noize – Waves

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Roll on 2010

Joe And Will Ask What Exactly?

A few weeks ago I was searching the blog world for hard electro and electro house and stumbled across these guys, and boy was I impressed.

The first song is called mongozo, an odd name and I’m pretty sure you will have seen this on other blogs but I love it.

Joe And Will Ask? – Mongozo

The next is called claymore, and again you will almost definitely seen this around.

Joe And Will Ask? – Claymore

The next is a remix of a possibly very over played song by La Roux, and I know there isn’t much point in posting this as it has been around the blogs already, but here goes anyway.

La Roux – Quicksand (Joe And Will Ask?)

Now just for you, I will post the other songs on his most recent release Mongozo!

Will And Joe Ask? – Shim

Will And Joe Ask? – Merrygo γ song

And whatever they are asking, I don’t care, its bound to be awesome.

Taking It Back To 8 Bit

I was first introduced (not in person) to Boy 8-Bit a couple of months ago on Annie Mac’s Mashup. his remix of Drumming – Florence and the Machine was playing, and in all honesty it didn’t jump right out at me straight away. But I decided to buy it anyway. I popped up a couple of times when my ipod was on shuffle and it grew on me quickly.

Drumming (Boy 8-Bit Remix) – Florence and the Machine

However, the next song by him topped it. His Mars – Fake Blood remix is definitely a better song. I was surprised because there are so many Mars remixes out there, I think I preferred this one to his drumming remix because I love the original drumming, it was very difficult to top, and it didn’t quite make. What I really liked about his mars remix was that he focused the whole song around the awesome sounding chordy bit before the main catch. Then he made that bit his own.

Mars (Boy 8-Bit Remix) – Fake Blood

Then his remixes hit the big time. Even though this next song was one of his earlier remixes (2007), it is the most recent one I have heard. This one sticks to his name the most out of all of the ones on show today, being the most 8 bit, a very enjoyable song indeed.

Innaday (Boy8-Bit Remix) – Eames

The next song is his best remix to date (in my opinion), therefore receives the ‘coveted’ γ song award. Again I heard this on Annie Mac’s Mashup, great radio show, and bought it as soon as it was released, earlier this month. It is of course his remix of Quicksand – La Roux. I love the use of odd instrumentation, such as the steel drums, and the slow attack synths. I liked the original, but I love this.

Quicksand (Boy 8-Bit Remix) – La Roux γ song

And just to finish the post with some originality, here is one of his own songs from my collection.

The Suspense Is Killing Me – Boy 8-Bit

The Pendulum Swings Again

Last Friday Annie Mac, who is a legend, played this tune on her show. I’d heard the original on a blog about a week earlier, and was surprised by that. It has been a while since I’ve heard anything new by Pendulum and I am pleased with the results.

Stay Too Long (Pendulum Remix) – Plan B

Now here’s a band which I think are very similar in style to Pendulum, but not in set up, Sub Focus.

Dirtee Cash (Sub Focus Remix) – Dizzee Rascal γ song

And finally, I bought this album when it was released and heard this on the radio recently.

Could This Be Real – Sub Focus