If you aren’t watching Squid Game by now, what are you doing? The runaway Netflix hit-slash-complete mindfuck has gripped the world since its debut, shocking viewers with its dystopian storyline and deranged imagery. And it’s shattering records for the streaming giant. The show has completely dominated pop culture. Memes are running roughshod through social media. Squid Game-inspired TikTok challenges are already sending boneheaded Gen Zers to the hospital. The characters’ signature green-and-white jumpsuits are selling like hotcakes on Amazon. Just wait until Halloween this year. The program’s chilling theme, dubbed “Pink Soldiers,” is a siren song. Whenever the haunting track plays, you know something unsettling is about the happen. Here are ...
Of The Trees has unveiled his latest single “Windhorse,” marking the visceral bass storyteller’s first chapter of his forthcoming EP, Tale of Elegos, due out October 27th. Spun in a natural and hypnotic ethos, Tale Of Elegos will showcase a collection of five tracks of ambient, downtempo electronic records. In addition to “Windhorse” collaborator Sophie Marks, the EP will feature Kala and Mary Coso, expanding the Denver-based beatsmith’s unique sound. Opening with elements of biomusic like rustling leaves and chirping bird samples, a gentle flute melody chimes in and eventually builds into a tribal beat drop, where fuzzy basslines underscore Marks’ sultry lyrics. Rhythmic percussion and warm, distorted synths ebb and flow throughout before the arrangement fades into a coda inspi...
Have a day, Dillon Francis. In celebration of his 34th birthday, the beloved dance music producer and jokester has dropped his third album, Happy Machine. In terms of its sound, the record is a far cry from Francis’ rowdy 2014 debut, Money Sucks, Friends Rule. But that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Spanning eight tracks, Happy Machine is a song-cycle of bubbly house music. It’s a warm hug after a lonely pandemic, and a clear attempt by Francis to subvert his fan-favorite sound in favor of one that showcases his growth. And isn’t that what we should all be doing after a period of isolation? IDGAFOS/Mad Decent Recommended Articles The highly collaborative album features joint tracks with Shift K3Y and Marc E. Bassy, Bow Anderson, Liza Owen, and 2...
Do your thoughts at night keep you awake? Delivering a new single called “Last Thought,” Sonny Fodera has enlisted Brazilian superstar producer Vintage Culture and Canadian songstress MKLA to drop a hypnotic house thumper for the lovesick. “Last Thought” marks the third track from Fodera’s upcoming Wide Awake album. The first glimpse into what’s to come from the 14-track collection was gifted back in July with the assertive single “Nah.” At that time, there was no indication of an album in the works. Just last month Fodera announced the tracklist and release date of Wide Awake, accompanied by the album’s second single “Angel.” Reconnecting with Vintage Culture, the est...
Steve Aoki has revealed a brand new side project, a techno music alias dubbed Ninja Attack. The move should come as no surprise. Underground house and techno music have seen a resurgence in the mainstream as of late, and if there’s anyone to capitalize on the trend, it’s Aoki. The dance music veteran’s reputation has long been predicated on his detachment from genre boundaries. Ninja Attack’s debut is called “Aurora.” The track is dark and minimal in nature, and while it surely won’t impress the traditionalist diehards of the techno community, it’s a solid foray into the genre. Aoki was smart to keep the production subdued here, so as to not completely alienate his fanbase. The kick drums smack with an industrial thud, but the sound desi...
Ivy Lab is in a lane of their own. When it comes to mixing hip-hop and bass music, no one does it quite like the London-based electronic duo. Last week, they went even further outside the lines with a brand new, forward-thinking EP titled Press Play, released on Dirtybird‘s White Label series. The EP is an evolution of Ivy Lab’s signature sounds, from their early days producing drum & bass to their more obscure, experimental sound. Press Play dives deep into their roots of producing obscure, cinematic, and unsettling electronic hip-hop. Eerie and kinetic, the record opens with its titular track, a sultry trap cut, before “BBQ,” a glitched-out halftime banger. Artwork for Ivy Lab’s “Press Play” EP. Recommended Articles The th...
Previously, imagining what Nirvana would sound like as a dance music act was only a pie-in-the-sky thought, but today producers Jonathan Hay, Cain McKnight, and 41X have made the concept a reality. Their collaborative album, Nirvana Reimagined As House & Techno is not only a musical tribute to Kurt Cobain’s musical legacy, but also a tribute to his social and cultural impact. The inspiration for this seemingly outlandish idea is rooted in the artists’ desire to highlight Cobain’s fervent advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Given the vital role the queer community played in facilitating the rise of dance music culture, the producers felt that reimagining the musical world of Nirvana in an electronic music context would be an engaging way to highlight this infrequentl...
18-year-old electronic music producer Flavio has unveiled “Filthy Flying Cat,” a stunning glitch hop tune as quirky as it is electrifying. At first listen, it’s tough to believe that Flavio is still a teenager. Despite its idiosyncratic title, “Filthy Flying Cat” is rich and textured, oozing with jazz elements and nuerofunk swag. It’s a polished, refined release that points to the maturity of a novel yet innately gifted producer. Fans of Kill Paris or Slynk will really gravitate to the sound here, which layers lush synths with soaring leads to offer up a funky banger. He really dials up the energy in the final drop, where he eschews his melodic tendencies and instead opts for a frenetic drum & bass arrangement to bring the track home in adrenal...
Rich DietZ are back—but this time with an exciting new look. Known for their unique twist on house music, the duo have eschewed their signature sound, teaming up with dubstep producer Poya for a brand new banger called “Empire.” “Empire” is a slight departure, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. The thunderous single is as authoritative as its title suggests, a post-summer trap anthem that moonlights as a celebration of the long-awaited return of music festivals. The track’s mirthful lyrics invite listeners to simply let loose—and to break necks, of course. After a typically head-bopping hip-hop section, wherein Rich DietZ spit hedonistic verses over a smooth beat, “Empire” builds into something more menacing. Ev...
Third time’s the charm for rising bass producer Extra Terra, who has unveiled a brand new, blistering album called ZION. ZION kicks off with “Inside The Simulation,” ensnaring fans into Extra Terra’s sonic web with an instrumental siren song that could soundtrack the intro to a Matrix movie. Its cinematic sound design and eerie bass serve to transport listeners into a science fiction-themed latticework. The fabled dystopian film series was clearly a motif that Extra Terra pulled inspiration from. The following two tracks, “Morpheus” and “Agent Smith,” are menacing midtempo bangers dedicated to Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving’s iconic characters from the Matrixseries. Artwork for Extra Terra’s “ZION...
The electronic music community is constantly evolving with new sounds every week, as artists become more innovative with their compositions. EDM.com’s weekly “Playlist Picks” series highlights the top releases in the genre, helping uncover the latest tracks that will soon dominate the dance music scene. EDM.com Top Hits Anywhere With You – Afrojack, Lucas & Steve & Dubvision Let Me In – REZZ & fknsyd Last Thought (feat. MKLA) – Sonny Fodera & Vintage Culture Festival Hits 2021 Pondicherry – DJ Snake & Malaa Recommended Articles Eyes On You – HUGEL & Quarterhead Verdansk – Skepsis Electronic Avenue Go On Then, Love – Said The Sky & The Maine Don’t Worry My Love – Kaivon Dopamine – Eleph...
House and techno are the bedrock of electronic music. From the deep, dark trenches of barebones techno to the entrancing soundscapes of piano-laden melodic house, EDM.com’s monthly series The House Brew explores new releases from time-tested genres. Skywalk – Gorgon City Gorgon City premiered the aptly titled progressive house track “Skywalk” during their live performance for Cercle in Croatia at the breathtaking Biokovo Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass platform at the edge of a cliff that’s 1228 meters above sea level. Perfectly capturing the essence of its namesake, “Skywalk” brims with lush instrumentation and blissful vocal chops. “Merovingian” – Polar Inc. Gentle keys give way to an infectious, plucking bass on “Merovingian.” Polar Inc. keeps the focus o...