Love love love this track! WOLFGANG GARTNER never ceases to amaze me.
“All’s fair in love and war” – a cliché, perhaps, but one with a deep, underlying meaning, and an interesting choice for the title of this great track. “All’s fair in love and war” — meaning that love, like war, brings out both the best and the worst in people; it’s a battle of the heart and soul – a battle that cannot be controlled or contained.
“Love & War” was released yesterday on on Ultra Music. (CLICK HERE to buy it on Beatport.) I’m not sure what battles of the heart Gartner went through to bestow this panacea upon the EDM community, but I would say he won his war.
Gosia Mrugala is a Toronto-based blogger and reviewer. You can read her blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter HERE.
Collaborations in music today are so commonplace that almost nothing comes as a surprise anymore. If Garth Brooks teamed up with Wolfgang Gartner, I’m not sure I’d even even bat an eyelash. And to me, anyway, that’s a positive. Bringing together vastly different sounds and genres in unlikely combinations can leading to something unique. The results may be awful, interesting, strange, enticing or immaculate — and sometimes all of the above.
EDM really seems to lead the way when it comes to collaborations. Maybe it’s the big role that festivals play in the genre. These gatherings are about more than just celebrating the music: they give artists a chance for artists to catch up, listen and share their new sounds.
All of which brings us to the mysterious new duo known as Dog Blood.
Rumour has it that Dog Blood is actually a collaboration between heavy hitters Skrillex and Boys Noize. I’m inclined to believe it. Why? Well, their debut release “Next Order” comes to us via OWSLA and Boysnoize Records — so that’s, you know, a little bit of a hint. Many of my industry friends and fellow bloggers are certainly convinced it’s them. And frankly, this teaser sounds exactly the way you’d expect a Skrillex/Boys Noizes superhero team-up to sound.
Now, say what you want about Skrillex (and many people do). But the superiority of Boys Noize is not up for debate. He reinvents himself, disappears, and then reinvents himself again — the perfect artist’s template, in my mind. This project sounds tight, so let’s hope we hear more. Lots more.
I can still remember the feeling I got when I first heard “Put Your Hands Up For Detroit.” I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed by Fedde Le Grand – and on the brand new track “Sparks” we see him come together with another talented Dutch DJ, Nicky Romero, to deliver the quintessential club banger. Look out for this one: it’s sure to get your ears ringing and your body moving. Prediction: “Sparks” is going to be one of those progressive house tracks that defines the summer of 2012!
Dunno about you, but this weekend feels like Christmas to me. The dance music season is in full swing, and Canada is playing host to the best parties in the world! Can you feel it?
This is our weekend. There’s Bassmentality — sorry a Super Bassmentality happening in Ottawa, along with the Escapade fest. As for Toronto … well, you may have heard about a little something called the Digital Dreams festival. Homie! Iz going down. I said, can you feel it?
In this spirit of celebration, I’ve put together an extra-special “Sweets” — not so difficult, when you consider that this has been one of the better weeks of 2012 in terms of new music. Special praise for The Knocks, Zeds Dead and, of course, Dillon Francis. CAN YOU FEEL IT?
THE SWEETS
I love Ryan Enzed. If ever there was producer who deserved to be famous worldwide — as in right this minute — it’s this guy.
Dillon Francis tweeted, while making this track, that it was creepy and awesome at the same time. Been waiting a while for a fresh Dillon track with quality — and man, is it good to have him back!
I couldn’t possibly wait for Friday’s” Sweets of the Week’” to share this one. DC and Hooks — better known as Zeds Dead — are back in the lab brewing up some remix shit. This time they’ve taken a personal favorite of mine, “The Fight Of My Life” from Colin Munroe and Lil Wayne arch-enemy Pusha T, and slathered it with grime sauce till it sizzles.
Right, I know I’m being corny as f*ck — but this track is massive. How massive? So massive I’m doing a post just for the f*cking two-minute preview. That’s how massive.
So this week I focused on the UEFA EURO 2012, a tournament many say is harder to win than the World Cup. A good chance to take a look at some of the powerhouse nations in the EDM game and see just how many A-list artists they’ve got on the roster.
With all that said, though, it bears pointing out that North American is making a pretty convincing bid for EDM supremacy, too. This week, in fact, we have one of the year’s biggest fests taking place down in Vegas. Electric Daisy Carnival is finally here — and this year’s looks to be one for the ages. The set lists are incredible, and too numerous to list here, so I’ll just pass on the images I’ve been drooling over for the past two months. If can’t make it, don’t worry — I’ll have you covered next week with info all the best sets.
Until then, some sweets to turn your weekend into a Vegas vacation. Let’s get to it!
SWEETS
From one side of the country to the other: Felix Cartal lends his touch to Autoerotique‘s “Roll the Drums.” An absolute banger.
Disclosure‘s “Control” gets absolutely glorified in the hands of producer Joe Goddard. From the 2:50 mark onward this track gets out of haaaaaaaaaaaaaaand! My personal favourite of the week.
Brodinski teams up once again with Louisahhh! and the outcome is the same. Funky, creative and swagged out, this track begs the question: when do we get the Borsahhh! album?
A little tardy with this one, but whenever you come across a new Pleasurekraft track you wait until the full version is released. We were teased with a preview a few weeks back, but it didn’t do the tune justice. It’s truly out of this world — particularly once it hits the four minute mark. (PS, Pleasurekraft are in Toronto tomorrrrrrrrrow night at SPACE IBIZA at Sound Academy. BE THERE!!!!!!!!!)
Speaking of previews, Tits & Clits have given us a glimpse of their latest track — and this one can’t wait. It’s a remix of Demon Superior‘s “Creepy Little Doll.” Something about T&C in the studio: they know how to pick just the right chord for every part of a remix. This will be a definite download when the full track becomes available; until then, this two-minute snippet should hold you.
If you like the idea of mixing swing music with electro, and if you like Parov Stellar, then you’re going to looooooooooooooveSound Nomaden, who has taken over my iPod.
Mau5trap is well represented this week with the latest from Moguai: a remix of a track he released back in February. He must of heard something in the past four months that he wanted to incorporate, because this version is miles away from the original. Both are good — but this one’s better.
One of my favourite acts, T.E.E.D., remixed by none other than Miguel Campbell. Huge!
New music from the man who repped the Oranje in this weeks bpm:tv Euro Cup of EDM! Nicky Romero teams up with ZROQ to bring you a track that’s certain to be a festival anthem all summer long.
A week ain’t a week unless it’s sweet. With the sun a-shining, the last thing you want to do is spend a couple of hours in front of your laptop searching for new tunez. That’s what I’m here for! (You’re welcome.) I got you covered: sit back, press play, and enjoy the soundz of summer. bpm:tv presents … your May Two-Four Sweets of the Week!
I admit it: Justin Bieber‘s “Boyfriend” is one of those songs I find myself humming in the shower or singing along with in the car. At this point, some readers of this blog have already closed their browsers and moved on. For those of you who decided to give me the benefit of a doubt and stick around: the Swedish duo Dada Life has taken the original and turned it on its head, making it over into something you can sing aloud freely with your windows wide open. Once you’ve heard this, the original becomes obsolete.
Heavy, Heavy, HEAVY! Sound Remedy is out of this world right now. This time they take on a personal favourite in Lisa Mitchell‘s “Neopolitan Dreams” and … ahhh, screw it: just press play!
When I went to Webster Hall in New York to see Annie Mac, Savoy was the opening act. Now, it can’t be easy to open for a DJ whose set features all the most in-demand tracks. It leaves you with the leftovers. Happily for Savoy (and for the audience that night), “leftovers” meant their own originals. Since then, whenever I hear the name Savoy I sit up and pay attention. This time around they link up with Heather Bright, throwing in a little dubby-wubby to get you scooting over to Beatport to cop this tune.
You know that moment when you walk into club in the middle of summer, and everyone is already screaming and sweating? That moment when your heart starts beating faster and a grin steals uncontrollably across your face? Usually in that moment it’s a DJ Dan track playing in the background. The legend is back, with a new tune that will put you right back in that moment.
AudioPorn Records gives us a preview of a new EP from Xilent. It’s heavily produced, but not overdone. If you like Kill the Noize, you’ll want to pick this up. Take a good listen to all four tracks.
Last, since next week is Pryda week, I’m assigning some homework: listen closely to these classic tracks from the master. Whether as Cirez D, Eric Prydz or Pryda, one fact remains consistent: this dude puts in the work. Enjoy some faves, and feel free to suggest your own in the comments below!
“With Me”
“Viro”
“Not Going Home (Remix)” – I kept the rip ’cause it just sounds alive. Gotta love Pete dropping a world exclusive.
“On Off”
And if you missed it his new one … “Allein”
VISUAL SWEET
Bassnectar fans will love this one. His new album which we reviewed a few weeks back, is causing a stir with a wide cross-section of “good music” fans across the world. From heavy metal fans to ravers to jungle junkies, the response is the same: This sh*t is crazy. Here, he takes the Prodigy-like “Ugly” and adds appropriate visuals.
If, like us, you’re a devotee of banging, progressive house, then you ought to be primed for two-time Grammy nominee MORGAN PAGE‘s new album In The Air, the follow-up to his 2010 long-player Believe. And, in the absurdly unlikely event that you’re not already primed … well, you will be once you’ve checked out the killer video for his single “Body Work,” featuring the estimable Tegan and Sara.
So: pretty awesome, right? Kind of makes you want to hear the whole album? Well, guess what: you’ll be able to do right here at bpmtv.com. Starting on Monday April 2, we’ll be hosting our first-ever online listening party, courtesy of Nettwerk. Drop by our home page any time during that week, click on the Morgan Page banner, and stream the entire album. Post a comment and let us know what you think.
Here’s a short sampler that’ll give you a taste of what to expect. See you April 2!
There are certain artists who know how to make the most of it every time they step into the studio. When you consider that the “studio” often consists of a laptop in a hotel room somewhere, it’s even more amazing just how rich and dynamic these tracks end up sounding. Exhibit A: Felix Cartal.
It’s a dramatic statement, but I’ll stand by it: there is no one in the world right now creating better big room house bangers than this Vancouver-based artist. March 27 is the release date for his new album Different Faces, and it’s a work many electro heads and EDM fanatics have been waiting years to hear.
First off, let’s break down Cartal’s catalogue. This is the artist who’s given us stadium bangers such as “Drugs,” “The Joker” and “The Riddler,” not to mention cult classics like “Montreal Dreams,” and two personal favourites of mine: “Skeleton” and “Drone.” With a track record like that, you can see why he’s held in such high regard, not just by his boss Steve Aoki, but by everyone in the EDM game. His tracks are usually the first to played, the first to be remixed, and first to be loved by millions. So when I sat down to listen to Different Faces, I expected a lot.
What I got was a slap in the face accompanied by a raised eyebrow that said, “What the f**k did you think I was gonna do?”
What did I think? When “Don’t Turn On The Lights” came out in December, I’ll confess it didn’t give me the electric shakes I usually feel when I listen to Felix Cartal. I think I was worried that the album would be rushed and overly calculated to make sales. Slap again. “What the f**k did you think I was gonna do?” Of course not. Felix dropped pure class with this one: a summer anthem playlist and a tutorial for other producers on how to make bangers. It’s as close to The Source magazine’s famous 5 mic rating as you’re ever going to get, and so intense that it sucks the oxygen right out of your lungs. It’s that good.
Every track has its own personality. The tunes with vocals are radio-ready (as in, “ready to take over the radio”), and the instrumentals are every DJ’s dream. This is going to be the hit of WMC in Miami, and a definite top 10 finisher in on a lot of year-end best albums lists. It’s inspiring, too, to see the best EDM coming out of Canada again.
I’d love to go into every track in detail, but let’s give it all some time to sink in. For now, here are my preliminary faves — sure to change by the end of the week. Only to change again. Did I mention how good this album is? It’s good.
For EDM junkies, March is kind of a wet dream. All of our favorite artists seem to be leaking new tracks that you can expect to hear during their sets at Ultra Music Festival and throughout the Winter Music Conference. Every day seems to offer up enough new material to fill a “Sweets of the Week” post. From Deadmau5 to Dillon Francis to an entire mixtape from Skrillex‘s OWSLA label, it’s like being a sugar fiend with a fresh bag of Gummi Worms.
I won’t go into detail about all of these tracks; we’ll save that for Friday. But I do want to highlight one specific track — ’cause Boys Noize and Erol Alkan are at it again! The twin kings of techno are back on their combination game, and haven’t lost a step. Based on the preview, their two new tracks, “Roland Rat” and “Brain Storm,” may actually be even better than “Lemonade” or “Avalanche,” if that’s possible. These two acts have some sort of telepathic connection, and it works so so well. Another treat from the mad geniuses at BNR.
Gosia Mrugala is a Toronto-based blogger and reviewer. You can read her blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter HERE.
