MUSIC RELEASES
Leotrix Continues to Push Boundaries on Innovative “Honesty Trax” EP: Listen
Leotrix is making 2021 his year. January saw the arrival of his ROUND III EP on Never Say Die: Black Label. Only a few months later in March, he returned for his excellent Visions of The Leo EP on Disciple. He clearly has no intention of slowing down as the Australian producer returns today with his Honesty Trax EP out via NIGHT MODE. Honesty Trax strays from what fans have come to expect from the eclectic producer. The two-sided EP is a departure from his heavier work, taking on an airy, dreamy sound that feels incredibly personal. The innovation previously found in his releases remains, as his candidly named tunes embrace a fresh recreation of his sound. Side one contains “brief grip of creation,” which shines with blissfully soaring synths and playful p...
Subtronics’ Cyclops Recordings Unveils Latest Wonky Compilation
Subtronics’s meteoric rise can be attributed to his unmistakable signature sound as well as his keen ear. Since launching his Cyclops Recordings imprint, the Philadelphia-born has successfully signed tracks from incredible budding talents as well as well-established bass music veterans. Today his label has delivered yet another compilation packed full of unstoppable artillery. Entitled Planet Cyclops, the compilation features a handful of bass music champions including TYNAN, Ace Aura, Wreckno, Jkyl & Hyde, and Chassi as well as fresh faces like eliderp, JoeB, Dr. Lobster, DDD, and many more. As fans would expect, the compilation is low-end heavy but dabbles in a handful of genres. Though Cyclops Recordings is a newer imprint, this is its strongest showing yet. TYNAN’...
Cheat Codes Arrive With a Fresh Fusion of Pop and Electronic on Debut Album “HELLRAISERS, Part 1”
Cheat Codes‘ rise to fame skyrocketed through their bubbly production and frequent pop-electronic crossovers. The trio has an all-star list of previous collaborators including Liam Payne, Trippie Redd, Black Bear, Kaskade, and so many more. Today they’ve taken their rapturous songwriting to new heights on their debut album HELLRAISERS, Part 1. HELLRAISERS, Part 1 expands upon Cheat Codes’s diverse discography, though it mostly takes after their well-established pop sound. The LP features tracks with Tinashe, Marc E. Bassy, Bryce Vine, CXLOE, Lil Xxel, Au/Ra, and AJ Mitchell. The album title stems from a nickname given to them by their late manager Michael Theanne, who passed just over a year ago. “Lean On Me” with Tinashe serves as the focal point ...
ILLENIUM, Nurko, and Valerie Broussard Craft Unrelenting Melodic Bass on “Sideways”
Melodic bass fans just received a shiny new treat from ILLENIUM, Nurko, and Valerie Broussard. The trifecta has come together on “Sideways,” an electrifying collaboration. Gentle strings welcome listeners on “Sideways,” accompanied by Valerie Broussard’s yearning vocals. Soft keys echo in the background, giving way to a swift build-up that culminates in a high energy drop. Here, in the heart of the song, fluttering, wavy synths bounce around a vibrant guitar riff. Though dance-focused, ILLENIUM’s most recent offerings, like last month’s “First Time” with iann dior, favor collected melodies over unrelenting energy. “Sideways” flips the switch with a powerful sound ready-made for the dancefloor. Balancing electrifying guitar riffs with roaring bass, it harkens to Illenium’s debut album Ashes...
Watch Elohim and Big Freedia Command the Runway in Unapologetic “Strut” Music Video
Electropop producer and singer-songwriter Elohim is back with another smashing collaboration. After releasing “Bring Me Back” with GRiZ just last month, she has now joined forces with the Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia. “Strut” features fierce lyricism and an unforgiving beat, with a message that serves up a powerful reminder to walk with confidence everywhere you go, imagining as if “it’s a runway.” The two pop luminaries bring out the best in each other here, holding nothing back and delivering a truly memorable track. The highly anticipated single dropped today alongside a music video directed by Chase O’Black. You can watch below. In addition to her renowned pop and electronic prowess, Elohim is known for her transparency with men...
LINK’s “Turbo EP” Fuses Classic Rave Sounds With Forward-Thinking Production
Last summer, famed bass music producer LAXX announced the launch of a brand new alias called LINK. Since then, LINK has released a multitude of original tracks and remixes that pay tribute to the classic rave sounds of hard house, trance, and techno, including “Age Of Love,” “I Can’t Take It,” and a remix of Habstrakt’s “Show Me.” Now, LINK has returned with more of that modern yet vintage energy on his Turbo EP. Turbo features three previously released tracks: a hard house-infused belter called “Fader,” a nod to the arena trance of auld titled “Come Together,” and the most recent cut, “I Want You,” which builds on that trance-inspired sound. Three more previously unheard songs are also included ...
Elephante Shares Pictorial Music Video for New Single “High Water”
Over the last 20 years high production value in music videos has become more and more of a prized and beloved quality. This week Elephante released his first single of 2021 titled “High Water,” and the track’s official video delivers a visual masterpiece that dynamically captures the meaning behind the song. “High Water” combines the signature characteristics of Elephante’s music: emotive vocals, dexterous electric guitar, and his warm sound design. The song also simultaneously leans towards a more indietronica sound than his previous releases. Elephante recently shared that he wrote the song during quarantine when reflecting back on his opioid addiction in his younger years. “It’s about my experience in my younger years withdrawing from opioids. The darkest moment i...
Kumarion Makes Surprise Monstercat Debut With Dynamic New Single, “Pure Action”
Even through a global pandemic, some artists simply didn’t slow things down. Stateside bass act Kumarion is one such artist, and since the release of his hybrid trap hit “Want It,” through drum & bass stompers like “Enemy,” “Instinct,” and “Wanna,” he’s solidified his dominance over the stateside drum & bass community. Now, Kumarion makes his Monstercat debut with a roaring new single called “Pure Action” to expand his empire even further. The skilled producer’s latest combines shuffling, syncopated drum breaks with a sporadic yet controlled bassline for a track that’s true to its title. The action doesn’t quit, even in the breakdown and buildup sections through the effective use of...
Rich DietZ Drop Hypnotic House Banger, “Anxiety”: Listen
Surging electronic music duo Rich DietZ are back with their latest single, the brooding house banger “Anxiety.” Known for their fun, tongue-in-cheek approach to production, the guys have gone a different route this time around. Eschewing their use of party-starting, frenetic sound design and pop culture references, Rich DietZ have delivered a timely statement about mental health through a riveting house tune. However, don’t think the switch-up doesn’t make “Anxiety” any less heavy-hitting than its raucous predecessors. The track contains all the bells and whistles of a Rich DietZ heater, highlighted by a stunning vocal that eerily slithers through deep 808s. The arrangement is in half-time here, making for a hypnotic, trap-inspired doozy of a v...
Louis the Child Drops New Single “So What” with A R I Z O N A
Hot on the heels of their massive “Euphoria” 32-date tour announcement, Louis the Child collaborated with electropop trio A R I Z O N A for their new single “So What,” marking a new era for the pair. Louis the Child have removed all previous posts from their Instagram, creating a blank canvas and a clean slate for their new “Euphoria” music, show, and feel. Out via Interscope Records, this release is accompanied by stunning album artwork painted by Los Angeles artist Sima Jo. The vibrant electropop song delivers an uplifting message to anyone who let themselves get hurt in a relationship. “So what,” croons A R I Z O N A frontman Zach Hannah, “It happens to the best of us. Girl, it’s him, it’s not you.” The invigorating beat drives the song forward with its brig...
Galantis and Hook N Sling Team Up for Euphoric Single “The Best” With Karen Harding
Having previously collaborated on the tracks “Love On Me” and “Never Felt A Love Like This,” Swedish duo Galantis and Australian dance music vet Hook N Sling are back once again with their latest single, “The Best.” With platinum-selling singer-songwriter Karen Harding providing soulful vocals, this track lives up to the euphoric feeling of their previous collaborations. In addition, vocals from the seven-year-old daughter of Galantis’ Christian Karlsson are incorporated throughout the track. Out on Virgin Records, this song embodies the feelings of youthfulness and happiness. Its buoyant tone is established from the outset with gleeful piano keys and the intoxicating vocals of Harding. The chorus is absolutely exhilarating, utilizing soaring whistles an...
Zeds Dead Release Classic Remixes and Bootlegs on Audius, Promise Weekly Releases
For well over a decade, Zeds Dead have been a mainstay in the bass music world. While they have tons of modern, high-profile releases under their belts, some fans enjoy looking back at the early days for a quick hit of nostalgia. Luckily for those who enjoy those flashbacks, a number of the Toronto duo’s unofficially released bootlegs and classic remixes have been uploaded to Audius for all to enjoy. Included in their first drop of classics is “The Twilight Zone,” “Dark Side Dub,” “1975,” and “Journey of a Lifetime.” With their production skills and the technology involved upgrading each year, it’s interesting to look back at these singles and see how far they’ve come in their careers. At the time of writing, Zeds ...
