New Music
NERO’s Joseph Ray Drops Solo Techno Single, “300 Below”: Listen
Though most know Joseph Ray for his incredible contributions as a founding member of NERO, he launched a solo project in 2017 that focuses on techno and house music. His releases have landed on Odd One Out as well as Anjunadeep, among others. His latest release, “300 Below,” arrives by way of Atlantic’s Big Beat Records imprint. “300 Below” stays the course Joseph Ray set in 2017, expanding further into the vision of his solo endeavor. Clocking in at just over eight minutes, the fabled producer has cooked up a blistering techno journey. Opening with ambient, ethereal sounds, the tune quickly develops a thumping bassline and a vast array of various sonic elements. “300 Below” is also accompanied by a visualizer created by Strang...
LŪN Drops Haunting Midtempo Single,”y2k2k”
Early last month the electronic music scene was officially introduced to a mysterious new artist named LŪN. Although she didn’t uncloak her anonymity, we did get a clear indication of her artistic talents through the fiery electronic single “bitches.” She didn’t wait long to unveil her next offering, the haunting midtempo track “y2k2k.” “y2k2k” starts off with an eerie arpeggiating synth as a quiet whisper beckons in the background. The beat slowly builds into a devious midtempo drop that spikes up the intensity with a ferocious panache. LŪN crafts her soundscapes with the expertise of a vet, transitioning seamlessly from a space of control into one of beautiful mania. Check out LŪN’s “y2k2k” below. Alth...
AmyElle Throws Down Fierce Tech House Single “Feel The Heat”
While 2020 was a time of stagnation for many, DJ and producer AmyElle used it as the year she would make a name for herself on the house music circuit. She’s channeled this momentum into her second single of 2021, a fiery tech house anthem titled “Feel The Heat.” “Feel The Heat” features a combination of both modern and retro production stylings. AmyElle draws influence from 90s house anthems with the track’s infectious vocal hook but keeps the beat structure current with brawny bass stabs. It has all the workings to dominate at both the underground clubs as well as on the festival circuit, which looks to be on the mend as we approach the summer months. “Feel The Heat” is set to be one of the young gun’s biggest releases yet, earni...
HUCCI Returns With Scorching OG Trap Single, “Jericho”
HUCCI has long been lauded as one of the most innovative and influential trap artists since first entering the scene 10 years ago. Over the course of his career, he’s solidified his legacy with unforgettable tunes like “Ball So Hard” and “The Fall.” Today, the fabled producer has returned with his first track of 2021, “Jericho.” “Jericho” is a natural evolution of HUCCI’s sound, expanding on his already well-developed skill set. The intro begins slowly, as an ambient array of samples leads listeners through a short build-up. Suddenly, a flurry of grinding synths and resonating basses takes center stage before he wraps the track with a laid-back outro featuring his signature producer tag. Though HUCCI’s releases ar...
Kilamanzego Taps Whereisalex, Capshun, More for Eclectic “Anxiety” Remix Package
To wrap up 2020, Philadelphia-based producer Kilamanzego released her song “Anxiety,” a tune inspired by the brutal uncertainty of the global pandemic. Only a few months later, she’s now tapped Torr, Capshun, Cumulus Frisbee, RamonPang, and Whereisalex to remix the single. Kilamanzego elaborated on the inspiration for “Anxiety” in a statement, noting that it derived from “feeling mentally all over the place with the frenzied state of the pandemic” and that she “just wanted to scream and let it all out through song.” The track expertly conveys this message, approaching listeners unpredictably through various sonic elements. Each of the artists enlisted to provide a remix of the single add their signature touch, crea...
Pinkshift Release Debut EP Saccharine
Self-described “Baltimore shit-stirrers” Pinkshift have released their debut EP Saccharine and it’s exactly the angsty, melodic-punk listeners have been anticipating. The EP features four previously released singles, “On Thin Ice,” “Toro,” “Rainwalk,” and their most popular tune, “I’m Gonna Tell My Therapist On You.” In conjunction with Saccharine’s release, Pinkshift shared a re-recorded version of “Mars,” a song released as a demo in 2019. “I’m Gonna Tell My Therapist On You,” an undeniably catchy tune, went viral upon its release in late July, a few short months after the band’s first tour as a four-piece was canceled due to the pandemic. In an interview with SPIN last year, lead singer Ashrita Kumar recalls a conversation with her guitarist, Paul Vall...
St. Vincent Releases New Track from Daddy’s Home, ‘The Melting of the Sun’
Ahead of her appearance on Saturday Night Live this weekend, St. Vincent released a second track from her upcoming album, Daddy’s Home. “The Melting of the Sun” — which happens to be the fifth song on the album — continues the retro grimy NYC vibe put forth by “Pay Your Way in Pain” just under a month ago, and it certainly seems like Annie Clark will be going with a full vintages sound for the new release. The lyrics also take a deep dive into Clark’s inspirations both in and out of the music world, ranging from Pink Floyd to Joni Mitchell to Marilyn Monroe. Check out the new track below. [embedded content] To complete the retro feel of Daddy’s Home, the album is available to pre-order in a variety of classic formats in addition to the standard vinyl/digital/CD offerings, su...
Watch The Voidz’s Mets-Inspired Video for ‘The Eternal Tao 2.0′
If you’re reading this on April 1, then you know what today is. Yes, it’s April Fool’s Day, but this is no joke: it’s Major League Baseball’s Opening Day! If you’ve gotten this far, you know that SPIN published our extensive list of musicians predicting the baseball season, which included none other than the long-suffering Mets fan Julian Casablancas of the Strokes/Voidz. The Mets were supposed to open up their season in D.C. at Nationals Park today but due to a COVID outbreak on the Nationals, the game was postponed to Saturday at minimum. Typical Mets luck you might say, however, here’s some good news for you. Casablancas and the Voidz showcased their support for the team from Queens by releasing a new song in their honor on what should have been Opening Day. Titled “The Eternal Tao...
Courtney Barnett Offers Her Take on Sharon Van Etten’s ‘Don’t Do It’
Courtney Barnett partnered with Vagabon to cover Sharon Van Etten’s track “Don’t Do It.” The song comes from the forthcoming anniversary edition of Van Etten’s 2010 album, Epic, titled epic Ten. Van Etten calls Barnett “an important musical influence,” since 2014, noting that “from the first time we met, I felt I made an immediate friend. She added in a social media post, “I admire Courtney’s writing style in that she has such a unique and intimate narrative approach while being personal and funny, without giving too much away,” Van Etten said. “I feel connected to her music and perspective, while always wanting to learn more – and as a friend, she has offered me guidance and advice while also being an ear when I have been in a rut or when I am in need of a new approach to look a...
Danny Elfman Releases Remix of ‘Kick Me’ With Death Grips Drummer
Legendary composer and Oingo Boingo frontman Danny Elfman seems to have diverted from his plan to release a new track on the 11th of every month in 2021. Unless you don’t count remixes. Or unless he meant that he would release a new song every 11th while also surprising people with the occasional track between them. Regardless of how he intends to proceed with his monthly plan, Elfman just dropped a remix of “Kick Me” (originally released on March 11) created with Death Grips drummer Zach Hill. “I was a big fan of Death Grips and Zach Hill’s work, and so appreciative to have him jump in with his creative energy,” Elfman said in a statement. Check out the new remix below. [embedded content] Before the two versions of “Kick Me,” Elfman was busy working on brand new tracks like “Sorry” and “H...
“Like a Journey Back In Time”: Claptone on Reimagining a Unidisc Classic to Celebrate the Evolution of Dance Music
Established in 1977, Unidisc Music has grown exponentially over the years to become one of Canada’s largest independent record labels. With a lifespan over four decades long, their extensive catalog has been immersed in pop culture through the years, even appearing in iconic television shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sex and the City, and Grey’s Anatomy, among others. To celebrate the evolution of dance music, Unidisc has enlisted some of the world’s most renowned electronic music artists to produce exceptional remixes of the label’s music. This endeavor, called the “Reimagining Campaign,” was created by Francis Cucuzzella—son of founder George Cucuzzella—as a way to modernize some of the imprint’s timeless classics. Francis’...
Dinosaur Jr. Perform in the Snow in ‘Garden’ Video
Dinosaur Jr. has shared the single “Garden” which follows “I Ran Away,” both from the previously announced release of Sweep It Into Space, which arrives via Jagjaguwar on April 23. Sweep It Into Space was recorded at Amherst’s Biquiteen and features Kurt Vile, who co-produced the album. Lou Barlow writes and sings two of the album’s dozen tunes In the “Garden” video, shot in Western Massachusetts, Barlow, guitarist J Mascis and drummer Murph are in the snow, “playing” their instruments with gloves on. (Technically, Murph is air drumming.) The clip was directed by Lou and Adelle Barlow, with illustrations by tour manager John Moloney and animation by Chloe Hemingway. Of the song and video, Barlow said in a statement: “Everyone seemed to want a disruption in the orde...
