New Album
Listen to Dillon Francis’ Bubbly Third Album, “Happy Machine”
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...
“Nirvana Reimagined As House & Techno” Album Highlights Kurt Cobain’s Support for LGBTQ+ Causes
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...
“I Want It to Wipe The Slate Clean”: How Feed Me’s New Album Resets an Influential Career
Starting over isn’t easy, especially when you’ve cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase over the course of a long and storied career. Feed Me, however, embraces challenges head-on. The renowned electronic music producer’s latest full-length album, which arrived by way of his own Sotto Voce imprint, is his most cohesive yet. From the funky, triumphant intro of “Big Kitten” to the electro-infused sound of “If It Bounces,” Feed Me is a complete change of pace from what fans have come to expect from the UK beatsmith. The record is bold and fluid, eschewing digitized production in favor of analog instruments and synths. The expanse of instruments utilized throughout the album speaks to the acute attention of detail Feed Me had while writing ...
Saint Punk Unveils Ambitious Debut Album “Ouroboros”
With a gritty, signature style coined as “grunge house,” Saint Punk is settling for nothing less than raising hell upon the dancefloor. Born and bred in Los Angeles, Saint Punk started out his career in music within the rock world before successfully making the transition to dance music back in 2018. A dozen singles later, as well as prestigious remixes for the likes of Whethan, grandson, 3LAU, MXMS and BLVK JVCK, Saint Punk has finally unveiled his massive debut album Ouroboros. Just like the emblematic serpent of ancient Egypt and Greece, Ouroboros has no beginning or end, and introduces listeners to a world of raw human emotions that flow into themselves and form a perpetual cycle. Recommended Articles Tracks such as “Gloves” with Matt McAndrew and “Animal” alongside Whyel masterfully s...
Boys Noize Defies Odds with Antithetic Album, “+/- (Polarity)”
One of electronic music’s most esteemed producers has released his most contrasting album to date. A genre-crossing mastermind, Boys Noize tackles the intersectionality of his music head-on with his fifth studio album, +/- (pronounced “Polarity”). Described as a work that tugs at the polar tensions between the musical styles he produces, Boys Noize (real name Alex Ridha) delicately crafted a nearly hour-long LP comprised of fifteen tracks. Every cut feuds with your senses, trying to connect the similarities of each conflicting record. The fluidity of the project can be heard amongst its varying tracks; from the funky 808 beats of “Affection” featuring ABRA to the throbbing bass and hype synths found on “XYXY.” The title track, ...
Virtual Riot Mystifies With New “Simulation” Album: Listen
Virtual Riot has already conquered the world of bass music with his keen sense of musicality, diligent attention to detail, and overall skill as a sound designer. Hits like “Energy Drink” and “In My Head” consistently dominate the streaming sphere, and his highly sought-after DJ sets continue to be in high demand. Now, Virtual Riot is back with another unforgettable body of work that only further asserts his status as the king of bass music. Simulation is breathtaking in every possible way. From the start, or “Login,” listeners will find themselves awestruck, entering a digital world rich with lustrous soundscapes and relentless bass. As the AI-inspired voice guides the listener into this world, the album’s title track takes the reins with its shim...
Tony Romera’s Debut Album “Introspection” Channels Early Influences Into Multi-Genre Joyride: Listen
After giving fans a glimpse at his debut album with a slew of singles, Tony Romera has finally unveiled his highly anticipated Introspection LP via Monstercat. Spanning 16 tracks, Romera’s Introspection is a treat for longtime fans and new listeners alike. He effortlessly flows between genres, refusing to be confined by the house music that has defined him over the course of his career. The album is a reflective look at his influences up until this point, drawing inspiration from the likes of Daft Punk, 90s hip-hop, and punk music, all of which he cherished growing up. While the house music vet rarely strays from the genre he calls home, he comfortably does so throughout Introspection. “My Mind” (with Karina Ramage) embraces a slowed-down, upbeat...
Hydraulix Drops Genre-Bending, 20-Track Debut Album “Imposter Syndrome”
After years of releasing some of the most heavily supported tracks among the DJ community, Australian trap music virtuoso Hydraulix has finally dropped the curtain on his debut album, the 20-track Imposter Syndrome LP. Long revered for his approach to bass music production—in which he creates wonky trap music with a booty-shaking twist—Hydraulix looked inward to develop his debut album, the result of struggle with lockdown-induced insecurity. While largely rooted in the mind-bending bass spectrum of its label, Wakaan, the album enters pensive territory at times, dabbling in future bass and hip-hop. “GOAT” and “System Malfunction” are two undeniable Imposter Syndrome standouts in an album of many. The former, which features gritty bars f...
Armin van Buuren Teams Up With Trance Greats In 8th Album, “A State Of Trance Forever”: Listen
Earlier this year, trance music legend Armin van Buuren rang in the landmark 1,000th episode of A State of Trance, one of dance music’s most tenured radio programs of all time. While some of the celebrations have been postponed, namely van Buuren’s sold-out ASOT1000 show in Utrecht, the occasion has since yielded the “This Is What It Feels Like” producer’s eighth studio album, A State Of Trance Forever. The highly collaborative effort is a meeting of the minds when it comes to all things trance. van Buuren has teamed up with titans of the genre Paul Oakenfold, Sander van Doorn, Rank 1, and many more to craft a diverse selection of sonics, enough to satisfy every niche listener. Of course the cascading, ethereal vocal melodies of tracks like “Divino&...
Cosmic Gate Piece Together a Symphonic Collage in “MOSAIIK Chapter One” Album
Music is a reflection of the times—a snapshot of the mood of a society and a window into the soul of the enduring human spirit. When enthusiasm is high, anthemic powerhouses tend to arise, urging listeners to have fun, worry less, and party more. And when morale slips, the tones are somber and lyrics turn towards self-reflection. Inarguably, humankind is currently experiencing the latter, and musicians are listening. As producers emerge from the progressive tones of the 2010s, electronic artists have taken a liking towards deeper, techno-driven sounds. The minimalistic approach practically mirrors society’s angst amidst a global pandemic, something Cosmic Gate picked up on and created yet another shift in their musical catalog. Having recently completed their 20th anniversary to...
Leaving Laurel’s Debut Album Is a Stunning Tribute to Pierce Fulton’s Memory: Listen
Last month, Pierce Fulton‘s collaborative side project with Botnek’s Gordon Huntley, Leaving Laurel, released the first single from their self-titled debut album. Today, their full body of work—which is dedicated to Fulton’s memory—has arrived via iconic dance music imprint Anjunadeep. Through each of the album’s 11 aching tracks, Leaving Laurel expertly convey the chemistry Fulton and Huntley shared stemming from their longstanding friendship. Rich, colorful textures shine brightly on the record, layered with lush, spellbinding pads and crisp percussive elements. One of the most impressive aspects of the album is how well each of its songs flow. Each sounds like it was made to be placed after the other to tell a story as part of ...
Wave Racer Announces Long-Awaited Debut Album: Listen to the Lead Single
The debut album from electronic music virtuoso Wave Racer has been a long time coming. Considered one of the most groundbreaking future bass producers in the scene, the Australian beatsmith broke through in the mid-2010s with a bubbly, quirky sound all his own. He quickly garnered support from some of the industry’s most celebrated artists, such as Skrillex, Porter Robinson, and Flume. “I don’t think I was ready for any of [the recognition],” he said in a press release. “I’m normally very cautious with the decisions that I make… I thought I was managing the attention at the time but I wasn’t coping very healthily. I was so worried about how people were going to perceive me if I made one wrong step. It was a recipe for anxiety.”...
