Deorro - Elevation EP

I was never a big fan of Deorro but after I heard Black and his awesome remix of that very shitty Laidback Luke tune Pogo, I knew that there would be interesting things coming from the bloke. 

I was very excited to see that his EP Elevation was going to be released on the 23rd of April. It has definitely been a release that I have been waiting for. And it has not disappointed.

I must say that the opening track Stronger is probably the weakest track off the EP. It definitely wasn't a good start but I forced myself to keep on listening and it was well worth it. The track just doesn't do it for me, it becomes really boring after awhile and it is way too long in my honest opinion. The melody is also not one that is catchy, I found myself forgetting what the track actually sounded like after the first listen. 

But let's go on to the good stuff. The rest of the EP is simply sublime. Red Lips feat. Pasha has such a feel good and fun intro melody that I could not help but fall in love with it. With those naughty vocal samples, I could not stop myself from bobbing my head to the infectious beat. 

The drop is also an interesting one, I like it when producers have weird and interesting drops. Gone are the days when you need to make your drop sound like an Atom or Ode To Oi rip off, let's leave the rip offs to PSY and Will.I.Am shall we?

The third track on the EP is Cayendo feat Tess Marie. Now, I am not Spanish so I have no fucking idea what that means. I could probably google it but that defeats the point. The point of the matter is that I don't care what the fuck it means or what Tess Marie is singing about. I just dig the awesome sounds that are coming out of my speakers. That is how awesome this song is. It is an instant club banger and it makes you want to move around with your eyes closed. The drop is another reason why I love this track so much, it infuses dirty dutch elements with some fierce electro synths. Now in my books this is an instant winner. Couldn't ask for a more in your face combination.

Elevated feat. Erick Gold is the fourth track on the EP. This is probably the heaviest track on the EP. When the vocal sample comes in with "it's going down tonight", I knew that this is going to be a real treat. The drop was so fierce that I had to momentarily turn down the volume of my speakers because the floor and the windows were starting to vibrate from the bass of my sub woofer. Now that is what I call dropping the bass ladies and gents, when something like that happens then you know this is a gem. What I really dig about this track is that it end off on such a chilled note, it brings about this really rounded effect to the song, this is an element that most tracks lack. 

Hype is the final track on the EP. What a way to end an awesome EP hey. I would say that Hype is Deorro's way of saying, "I know this EP is awesome and I am just hyping you up for the next one." "Bring the motherfucking hype" can almost be seen as laying down the gauntlet for his future releases. This is definitely one of the stand out tracks. Such an infectious melody and it will definitely be a favourite amongst house DJs for its great beat and dirty dutch- esque drop.

Deorro has definitely impressed me with this EP. It's innovative and extremely well produced with very catchy tracks. It is definitely a good bye for any EDM enthusiast. 

This EP was released off Dim Mak Records.

To buy the EP check out Beatport.

For more information on Deorro check out Soundcloud, Twitter and Facebook.

Life Magic - Highway Dawn EP

I am always up for promoting local talent and the next artist has definitely a bright future ahead of him. 

Guy MacKinnon-Little or rather Life Magic is relatively unknown. Wait, let me rephrase that - I know absolutely jack shit about him. Don't even know what the lad looks like but I do know that he is a fucking talented musician. I guess that's all that matters in the end. 

So I was casually waddling about Twitter, going on my random stream of consciousness rant when I get this notification from my home girl SIDESHOW. She tells me I must check out this link, by that time, I was sitting in a boring ass meeting, Wi-Fi wasn't working and I was itching to take a listen. My curiosity always gets the better of me, I guess that's why I'm journalist. 

So anyway, when the meeting ended, I quickly jogged over to the nearest cafe and abused the internet.

Let me tell you, this EP was worth the jog. Initially I wasn't expecting much but I was still curious to check it out. 

The EP starts off with the title track Highway Dawn which in my opinion is a mixture of trap, electro and some ambient sounds. The drums only start to kick in like 1 minute into the track, usually songs like that would bore me because usually the intro melody isn't strong enough to grab me. 

This is not the case with Highway Dawn. It has this very spacey feel to it which I find quite enigmatic and beautiful. When the drums and the drop come in, I was sold because it just sounds so damn smooth. 

The next and last track off the EP is Pool Fun. When that intro melody starts, it made me feel like I was lying on the ground in an enchanted forest. When that sub bass, the drums and the punchy synths gradually fill your ears I knew this would be my favourite track off the EP. 

I was quite disappointed that it was only a two track release because I wanted to hear more tracks from the lad. I'm sure that this Cape Town bloke will provide more enchanting music for us in the future.

The best way I can describe this EP is - This is some awesome dolphin music that is perfect for those days when you just want to lose yourself and smoke weed.

Check out his Soundcloud, Twitter and Facebook for more info. 

This EP is released off naasMusic Electronic and is a free download. 

Liar - Alpha EP

This EP has had a lasting effect on me.

I have never been into the whole trap genre but when it is described as being post trap infused with future garage and minimalist elements? Well then I will sit up and pay attention.

So I checked out this Romanian artist on Soundcloud. Never heard of this bloke before but by God he is talented. It has been awhile since I have listened to an EP that is so well produced and so interesting, it is really something new. Making use of weird elements that do not normally go together and combining them to create such awesome music. 

The first track - Tequila Mockingbird - is probably the best track off the album. The title in itself is so brilliant that it caught my attention immediately. The track features North American producer and DJ Druid Cloak. The track has all the elements of a banger, choral sections, melancholic vocals, a heavy bass drop and that poignant minimalist feeling and tempo to it. As soon as i listened to this track with my headphones, the drop and the heavy bass just blew my head off. 

Alpha is the title and the next track on the EP. This is quite an interesting track. Interesting in the sense that it uses Ciara's Get Up vocal snippet as the main vocal breakdown. This really works well with the hip hop feel. This track actually reminds me of a post moomba track infused with trap elements. I love these weird combinations, keeps things interesting. 

Honey Trap is the third track off the EP. To be totally honest, it isn't my favourite track but it does have some great aspects to it. I really love the drums in this track, its heavy and goes so well with the industrial minimalist feel of the rest of the track. Combine with the a typical trap drop, it makes for a pretty catchy song. But this is also the reason why it doesn't sit well with me, I have heard too many trap songs that use this effect and it has become quite boring to me. But take nothing away from the song, it is extremely well produced and will be a firm favourite with Trap enthusiasts. 

The EP also boasts with remixes from future-garage heavyweight ViLLΛGE and also Fuckowfski.

To buy the EP visit the Origami Sound site. 

For more information on Liar check out - Soundcloud, Twitter and Facebook

Kicks n Licks - The Expedition

Kicks n Licks are probably one of my favourite bass acts at the moment.

What I like about this San Diego duo is that they have such a clear sound and they don't try to do too many things at once. Less is more with these guys and I always respect that.

Their self released EP The Expedition has been one of my top plays for the week. More props to them for making this beauty a free download because it is definitely loaded with quality tracks. 

I really liked the fact that they have a variety of bass tracks on their EP. You will find dubstep, drum and bass and even a trap track on the EP. It definitely shows their flexibility as producers. The EP will show their Hip Hop roots come through into a well crafted bass EP. It is always great when producers combine other genres into their work.

While listening to the EP I must say that the their sound reminded me a little a bit of Adventure Club with the melodic synth work. 

The feel good drum and bass banger After Hours and the hard hitting title track The Expedition are definitely the best tracks off the EP in my opinion. Even the trap influenced Hit Em' With The Horns surprised me with its well crafted, punchy sound. 

This EP will satisfy any bass lover, it has something for everybody. Definitely worth checking out.

You can download the EP for free off their website.

Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal

I have decided to move away from the EDM scene for the moment and focus on this gem of an album. 

I have gone back to my metal roots with Bring Me The Horizon's new album Sempiternal. Now I know you are probably having a fanny wobble with hearing the term "metal" but let me tell you, this album is simply exceptional.

In the last couple of years I have had this love - hate relationship with the metal genre. With previous releases just not being on par and bands just not trying anything new, I frankly got sick of all the albums that were being released. But 2013 has started off with a real bang, with new releases by heavyweights Killswitch Engage and expected new albums from Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Behemoth, Satyricon, Children of Bodom and even Slayer! It is bound to be quite an exciting year in the metal scene. 

Let's get down and dirty with Sempiternal. I only got into the whole BMTH vibe with their album Suicide Season, I was also one of those people that thought the band was utter shit without giving them a chance. I took a leap of faith with Suicide Season and I haven't looked back since. 

BMTH is definitely a band that just gets better and better with every release. It is every evident that as they get older, their sound matures. In juxtaposition with their earlier albums like Count Your Blessings, it sounds like two different bands. The BMTH on Count Your Blessings was all over the place, really focusing on the teen infused Deathcore scene. The BMTH discography should really be seen as the band's evolution as musicians. 

The thing that really impressed me and has always impressed me is the lyrical finesse that the band has. They could be seen as one of the voices for their generation. The ability to write lyrics that are catchy yet poignant is a an art that very few musicians have mastered.

The other element that really attracted me to the new album is the incorporation of more electronic elements. In my honest opinion it fits the band's style perfectly because it provides a well balanced and harmonious contrast to the heavy guitar riffs, technical drum work and the harsh vocal work. Jordan Fish has definitely been the missing link. 

I believe that the electronic aspect works so well for BMTH because their guitar work does not depend on its technicality and guitar solos like many other bands. The fact that there is no such pressure it opens a space for another instrument to create the rounding, background effect. The keyboard doesn't detract from the other instruments but it is also not overpowered by the drums and guitar. BMTH have got it right to create a perfect balance between ambience and metal. 

I really can't fault this album. This was one of the very few albums that I have listened to from start to finish without skipping any songs. BMTH have definitely set the bar for 2013 releases. Metal bands need to take note because this album is definitely in a class of its own.

Best tracks off the album in my opinion - Can you feel my heart, Sleepwalking, Shadow Moses, Crooked Young and The House of Wolves. 

Album is released off RCA Records

Check out the official Bring Me The Horizon website for more information on the band.

James Egbert & Schoolboy - Silver Lining EP

I am a big fan of these lads, both of them are masters of their craft and they are some of the few producers that always tries something new. 

I knew the day that these two would combine their talents it would be a release of intergalactic proportions. And boy was I right.

Silver Lining consists out of 3 tracks; the electro house banger and aptly named intro track All Systems Go, The glitch hop offering Hero Down and the dubstep anthem Stardust featuring talented Taylr Renee. 

There is no other way to describe All Systems Go but as an epic journey infused with orchestral glory. This is the phrase that came to mind when I was listening to it for the first time. That orchestral breakdown just kicks me in the face every time I listen to the track. Combine that with an epic vocal sample and an insane drop - well you got a winner. This is definitely a track that will be a banger in the clubs.

Hero Down serves as a great calm down for the EP. It slows down the pace from All Systems Go and has this great glitchy sound to it with a very catchy melody. What really stood out in this track were the piano breakdowns. It is very well crafted and doesn't detach from the overall feel of the song. 

Stardust ends the EP with a bang. There is nothing better than ending an EP with an anthemic dubstep track. I love the vocals in this track, the lyrics are cleverly written and fits in with the space theme that is a constant on the EP. With the background chorus shadowing the main vocals it just gives it this uplifting feel, like Zedd's Clarity effect. I love the why that the vocals go so well with the drop, this definitely is something that is not easy to do and they used the vocal loop to perfection. 

I really enjoyed this EP and the production quality is amazing. I recommend James Egbert and Schoolboy for really producing an EP that succeeds in its musicality. 

Definitely worth every penny.

This EP was released off Infrared Music

The EP is available on Beatport.

Check them out on Soundcloud / Soundcloud, Twitter / Twitter, Facebook / Facebook