by Mark Anderson
Senior Editor
–
It’s no secret I get down to my fair share of electronic music.
While I tend not to veer to the more commercial side of things, I have noticed that I find pop songs are a bit more palatable these days as electronica continues to exert more influence over the mainstream.
However, I still prefer my electronic music, like most things in my life really, with a little edge. Some bite, if you will. Something that takes it from everyday to extraordinary. The following tracks, sifted out of the tracks we hear from all around the world, have done just that.
RNBWS
Comin’ straight outta Kazan [Russia], “Last Journey” is the second track off RNBWS new 4-track EP, To The Border & Back. Although the album comes only with the label Techno, don’t let the nondescript hashtag throw you for a loop. RNBWS “work[s] in an experimental direction of advanced electronics.” Their single, “Last Journey”, sends my head spinnin’ every time I hear it with its poly-rhythmic beat that features dark synth sounds and plenty of percussion. Part of the Get Busy! collective, the Label/Party/Clothing line certainly lives up to their name – they’ve released a bevy of EPs lately including new albums from Yung Acid, Gorilya, and Mostapace. Bump “Last Journey” by RNBWS below…
Ricardo Oliva
Ricardo Oliva, based out of Guadalajara/Culiacán [Mexico], has me goin’ with his latest track “Anémona”. This piano-led, Future Bass-fueled, Nu-Disco/House track sounds awkward to explain because it is. Mr. Oliva is all about mixing genres, even performing with live musicians during some of his presentations. Funky jazz guitar, intriguing samples, and a killer Deep Trance bridge accompany “Anémona” to fantastic heights. I highly recommend checking out this new single from Ricardo Oliva below…
the Animist
Have you ever wanted a cute, fun track to listen to that you can also bob your head to all serio at the same time? If your answer is a resounding “Yes!” then look no further than “Bubble Tea” by the Animist. In the vein of Japanese artist Ujico, “Bubble Tea” is a Kawaii, Future Bass track featuring music box, deep low end, trap drums, and plenty of vocal, and of course, video game samples abound. Producing out of Charlotte, NC, the Animist is on a personal mission to “Grow Local Brands & Entrepreneurs to a National Scale” through his use of video production, photography, and even comedy. See that kids? Diversifying, that’s the name of the game. Check out his website for more info but not before playing “Bubble Tea” below…
Idiosync
I can’t quite recognize any of the samples in Idiosync’s latest single, “Digital Footprint”, and I guess that’s the point. As stated in his bio: “Field recordings may evoke flashbacks and associations just like a familiar smell might. Modifying these recordings, chopping [them] to pieces and blending them with each other could affect listener’s perception in the most unexpected ways.” And, indeed, they have. What essentially is a solid breaks track has plenty of noise and experimental innovations thrown in to keep things interesting. Off of his recently released Gigbits album, get down to “Digital Footprint” by Idiosync below…
MGER
An old-school House vibe pervades on MGER’s latest track, “have you seen her”. Although this song is “mainly constructed from samples around all genres, mostly old stuff,” don’t let that fool you into thinking MGER is stuck in the past. As he states on his SoundCloud, “I make tunes, some bangy, some less bangy.” I honestly enjoy the retro feel of this track far more than the polished trap or hard electronica of his previous releases. With “have you seen her”, MGER has me feeling good things are coming out of Finland. Take a listen below…
BasicSexxx
Sometimes, it’s all in your approach. As in the case of BasicSexxx and their debut single “FREAKwhensees”, this statement was sent to us along with their song: “If you are able to read this message then you have been chosen as the leader of an elite squad of Earthlings operating on the highest frequency, and we need your help to save the world.” This band knows how to get your attention. But, before you start thinking that Basicsexxx is some chiseled International DJ, they’re actually a couple of Los Angeles-based hiphop artists: Sami Seal on vocals and Rem_OD on production. “FREAKwhensees” is dystopian hiphop this is purportedly “found only in the Space Jazz cafes of Andromeda”. And, what’s more, it actually sounds that way: a spooky future style of production mixed with poetic lyricism certainly has this song sounding like nothing else on Earth. Serving as an introduction to MINT, an EP and novella, “FREAKwhensees” is a single I suggest you dive into immediately.
