Names of 2014

Hi



It's this time of the year again, this time where you look back and remember your best memories!

I decided it was time to post about the new names of 2014, the ones that already made it big times as much as the ones to remember for 2015 because you'll defintely hear again about them.

Erson Rybod

First one that comes to my mind is Erson Rybod. What do we know about Erson Rybod? Pretty much nothing, and that's what he is all about. Behind this really well done skin mask hides Louisahhh!!!'s protégé, who so far only released a 10 seconds long messy sound and one of my favorite set this year on Rinse fm. He started being active on instagram earlier this month, always wearing his mask, always doing strange stuff and very often hanging around with Louisahhh!!! so it's kind of safe to say that something is in the works, probably to be released on Bromance Records.

I had the chance to see him dj last month, as he opened for Gesaffelstein at Le Zenith and it was a strong set, no doubt about it. I love musicians who are not only musicians but who work on their appearance, their universe and the overall feeling you get when you see and or hear them, Erson mastered that.

Here is his impressive Rinse fm set, tracklist in the comments section, as usual.

Extreme Precautions

Next one is not really a new name but a new alias, Mondkopf's. Extreme Precautions is his new side project.

Over the years, Mondkopf's style grew from minimal electronica to super oppressive and dark techno, and it was clear that his style will continue to go further into that genre when he released Hadès last February. The question was, would it still be music, or would it just be something filled with terrifying sounds? Well it's a bit of both and it is done with the talent he's known to have.

He released his first untitled album, filled with untitled songs that you can buy on Bandcamp.



Untitled 6

Ateph Elidja

Let's stay in the techno field, the genre I listened to the most this year --more on that in an upcoming post-- with Ateph Elidja.

Ateph Elidja is not new around, he used to release songs under the name Rhaft before, but it was so different it is safe to say that he was born again under this new name. I had the chance to run into him and chat for a few minutes at the end of a show at Le Showcase where the whole Bromance and Zone family was playing, beside being good at what he does, he is very humble and nice, which is always a plus.

Signed on Bromance Records, he dropped mesmerizing techno songs and remixes this year. I cannot picture 2015 without at least 2 EPs from this man. I was most impressed with his original songs, you recognize his style and atmosphere instantly, something between alarm sounds, deep notes and twists.

ZHU

Now, ZHU.

ZHU came out of nowhere in the beginning of 2014, and is now nominated for the Best Dance Recording Grammy award alongside Basement Jaxx, Disclosure or Duke Dumont. His biggest song is the one you probably already heard a couple (of hundred) times, Faded. That song reminds me of tracks such as Bulletproof from Laroux, as in EVERYONE remixed it including The Magician, Lido, ODESZA... most certainly because of how catchy the vocal part of that song is.

Lido

I did mention Lido above, and he's in the list too, what a coincidence, right?

Lido is a young and crazy productive producer from Norway. With his 4 notes signature he always includes in his song, he managed to release some of the most impressive remixes this year and a great EP, I Love You Too, that got remixed by artists such as Para One or Hoodboi.

For some reason, his style strikes me as very japanese electro-ish on songs such as Money, while sometimes it's definitely trap infused. No matter what you call it, it's good, and that's what matters in the end.

s h a m a n a

s h a m a n a produces mostly ambient trap, and uses things you would not really think about when it comes to it. You'll hear samples from Sonic the hedgehog, Mario or vocals by the Destiny's Child etc...

While some of his productions can sometimes feel a bit uninspired to me, overall the quality of each of his productions is great. I'm not a huge fan of ambient trap, but he does it very well.

Spectre//Sound

Last but not least Spectre//Sound, from Senzu Collective, where artists such as our friend Alecks Awklr releases countless quality productions.







Enjoy!
-@LRNT_

[Review] Para One - Passion

Hey.

So, on tuesday I received this...



First thing first, Marble does not mess with people who buy their stuff. That translucid vinyl is simply gorgeous, they also include a CD edition of the album in the package which is a very nice touch. Hats off.

1. Ice Cold

A very gloomy, dark and smart way to open because this has absolutely nothing in common with what will follow.

2. Para One - Wake Me Up


Wake Me Up is, as stated, an awakening. It gives us the tone the album will have.

3. Para One - Every Little Thing (feat. Irfane and Teki Latex)


Alright so let's say the things as they are : Irfane + Teki Latex = WIN. A pretty
imple instrumental part but para one knows that there's no need to overdo things as long as you do them right, and it fits the vocals perfecly.

4. Para One - Vibrations followed by Poisoned Apples (Interlude)


Para explained that he wanted to do a track like he used to listen to in the 90's, some good hip hop and then an interlude with an awesome beat that makes you think "why the hell didn't they use it in the song ?!", he also stated that the said interlude at the end is in fact something he made quite a long time ago.
The whole thing works pretty well because the interlude is definitely great, perfect balance of smooth bass, piano and hip hop influence, makes you wish it would have lasted longer.

5. Para One - When The Night (feat. Jaw)


The song's begining is probably not the best thing on the album, but after that rather boring intro, you'll discovere a savant mix of funk and electro. For some reason I feel like there's a strong SebastiAn influence in here, maybe not, but at least it has a few similarities to me. Little fact I remember from an interview, this song samples Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus also sampled by Missy Elliott - Gossip Folks so if something sounds similar, it's because it is actually.



6. Para One - Sigmund


Animal Style (Mr Oizo remix)? That's the first thing that came to my mind, so I checked the track's name, turns out it obviously isn't. So, what about the track, except that it sounds as crazy as a good Mr Oizo song ? Well that's already a pretty good compliment I guess.

7. Love Ave

Already posted about this one, I can barely describe how much I find this song great, it has every little aspect of Para One I like, this is just ridiculous.

8. Para One - You


This track has a lot in common with the tracks he released alongside Bobmo and Surkin (aka Marble Players). It feels kind of like what Marble Players would be without Bobmo nor Surkin while not being Para One. I don't make sense? Yeah I know.

9. Albatros

The track that was missing on the album, something that will let your mind fly away for a few minutes


10. Lean On Me



That is the song that will define Passion for a lot of people I think. It captures the essence of Para One, precise beat, cheerful melody, smart vocal tweaking. One of, if not the, "feel good song" of the year. Oh and he also directed the music video.

11. Para One - The Talking Drums


No matter how hard you try, you can't put every bad memory in a closet, a few will eventually escape. That's what this song is, a few dark sounds that fled from their Ice Cold prison, only to give us a pretty melancholic song filled with oppressing pieces of noise.

12. Empire

What a great way to end this album, I don't know why, but I can only picture this song as the ending scene of a movie where you're not sure what's going to happen to the characters once the screen turns black.

==

So, what IS Passion ? Passion is the perfect mix of old and new, regular and weird, dark and joyful, silence and loudness. Every track is here for a reason, every little beat has been refined to make each sound on the album as meaningful as possible.

For those of you who want to know more.





Enjoy!
-Here

Waiting for Monday

Hey there

Busy weekend ahead but I had to find time to share these.

I feel like I NEED to start with this track from Para One's new album, coming out on Monday.

Para One · Para One - Love Ave

Next one is simply mesmerizing... Frank Ocean!





From Club Cheval's first EP on Bromance, Now U Realize, far from the kind of track they are used to produce, they went for a song that's meant to be played in clubs, and they did it incredibly well, one of the best song of the month.

BromanceRecords · Club Cheval - Now U Realize

It's been a while since we last heard of Dupatronic, their new song just came out yesterday on soundcloud, if you did not hear it, you're maybe now following our facebook page, and that's not really cool of you ! In the meantime, here is J Paul Getto's remix.

J Paul Getto · Dupatronic - Just With You (J Paul Getto Remix)

And let me finish with a great music video for Azealia Bank's Liquorice...

Azealia Banks "Liquorice" from Jason Hamilton on Vimeo.

Bonus: Azealia Bank produced by Hudson Mohawke & Nick Hook in case you did not hear it yet.



Off to my busy weekend, seeya!
-Here

USA Club Mixes

Hey there It's time I talk about the album I can't stop listening at the moment, Surkin - USA Club Mixes. This album is a gathering of clubby remixes and live edits of tracks from his album USA, the simple sight of the tracklist makes you know it's gonna be great. Let's detail these tracks now.



Canblaster, one of the members of Club Cheval, starts the album with a 5 minutes mix of every track from USA, great mix structure, I like the fact that they started the album with this, it feels liks it's a reminder of track you're going to hear.



Quattro was one of my fav from USA, and Feadz can make great things as much as seriously weird things so I was excited and worried at the same time. Well, after a few seconds I totally stopped worrying, Feadz KILLS it right here, the progression is so great I can't decide if I prefer this version or the original...

03 Surkin – Love Shot (Djedjotronic & Noob Remix)

A duo that is used to work together, they slowed down a bit the very fast and oldschool track that Love Shot is, clearly not the best thing they could have done with the track in my opinion. It works, it's a great and very different remix, the alteration they did on the voice is pretty neat, but not what I was expecting from Noob & Djedjotrnic.



It's no secret that Rustie is a crowd killer, last three concerts I went to I heard his stuff during DJ sets and no one could resist it. Let's sum up this track in three words, Clap, Clap and Clap. The clapping in this remix added to the hip hop style Rustie has makes a mind blowing club mix of what already was one of the best tracks from USA.

05 Surkin – Gold island (Bok Bok & L-vis 1990 Remix)

Bok Bok isn't someone I'm familiar with, heard of the guy but that's about it, in this collab with L-Vis 1990 they went for a very minimalistic approach of Gold Island, very similar to what L-Vis usually makes, so it's really a matter of taste, I for one think this track isn't bad but lacks of a little something that would make it a major song on the album. The track feels too long for the lack of evolution.



Club Cheval (Canlbaster, Myd, Panteros666 and Sam Tiba ) outdid therselves on this one, the synth and the voices are a perfect match. They blend a lot of different aspects of electro in this remix, and it works very well, the original was really calm, this is the complete opposite, things happen every 3 seconds.



First live mix on the album, for one of the most "Surkinesque" track on the original one. This live mix is emblematic of what Surkin is live, a man full of energy, whose hands and head never stop moving, always adding something to the track he plays. The only downside here is that it's far too short, not even 4 minutes sadly...

08 Surkin – Harry feat. Bobmo (Strip Steve Remix)

Stip Steve is one of the best thing that happened to Boys Noize records. This remix is emblematic of the artists I like at Boys Noize, very dark and progressive club music. It has nothing in common with the original Harry, a good alternative.

09 Surkin – Silver island (Para One Remix)

The track I'm always dying to hear, the Para One remix, especially when it's a remix of Silver Island. Well sadly, as much as I like Para One, this remix was disapointing in a few ways, I would have expected something in the way of Nevrosis, he went for a remix that's more the kind of thing you like to hear in the lounge, not bad but not mind blowing either.

10 Surkin – End Morning (Das Glow Remix)

Das Glow releases another "creepy" remix as usual. Distorted voices in the back, weird noises almost all the time and agonizing synth, if you like his style, you're in for a treet.



Broskinski aka the guy that remixes everything is obviously here, playing a lot with the vocals as he always does then going for his very recognizable style on the synths and drums. That's one of my favs on the album the progression of the track is just brilliant.

12 Surkin – Never Let Go feat. Kevin irving (A-Trak Remix)

Another man that remixes a lot of things, A-Trak made something really cool here, definitely something I'm sure I'll hear a lot this year. His objective was obviously to make something you'll hear in clubs more than the original track that wouldn't fit very well, he succeded.

13 Surkin – Silver Springs Anthem (Bobmo Remix)

Really not that much to say about Bobmo's remix, I find it very average, it's not bad in any way, but it doesn't bring anything to the album which is a shame when you see what he did with Surking on the two original tracks he worked on.



The other live mix almost sounds like a brand new track, it's so different from the original one. This sounds like the prefect way to finish a live sadly I didn't see Surkin live since the release of USA so I don't know if that's how he uses it, might as well be an opener. Anyway, point is, that track gives great justice to Surkin's live skills, he's an amazing entertainer, go to one of his gig if you have the chance.



Jackson gives us here an organic/wonky/orchestral reprise of White Knight Two, this man lives in another world, a world where he makes anything he wants, such as 10 minutes long remixes that will blow your mind or crazy things to what is probably the greatest track Surkin ever released. It was a very bold move, but what a GREAT move, hats off Jackson.

To sum up, even though the album has a few tracks that aren't amazing, the whole thing is just great, a must buy. 9/10

Enjoy!
-Here

September Review : Defiant Order

September Review : Rustie - Glass Swords

September Review : Modeselektor - Monkeytown

Alright, first out of three album reviews I'll be doing over this weekend.

Birdy Nam Nam's Defiant Order.



One of the album I've been really waiting for, and the resultat is not disappointing.

For those who don't know BNN, they are four DJs, DMC world championship winner 2002. They each scratch on a turntable, each DJ having a part of the song to create, the result is impressive and eargasmic.

Their first album (Birdy Nam Nam) was funky and jazzy scratching masterpiece, the second one (Manual for Successful Rioting) was more clubby, with tracks produces by Justice or Yuksek.

Now comes their fird album.

It is produced by ony of my favorite producer, Para One, so I'm expecting a lot obviously.

I think there is two kind of songs in this album, BNN songs and Para One influenced songs.
The only downside I can see here, is that on most of the songs, you don't actually feel like you're listening to a BNN track, I'm not talking about oldschool BNN style, it's far gone now, but even the Manual for Successful Rioting style seems to be missing sometimes, I actually had to check if I wasn't on shuffle.



The album begins with a typical BNN song, you can recognize it in a few seconds.

OWSLA · Birdy Nam Nam - Jaded Future

Those two other tracks share that Birdy Nam Nam's awesomeness, Defiant Order is by far one of my favorite track from them the whole song is simply caviar.

Birdy Nam Nam Official · Birdy Nam Nam - Defiant Order

OWSLA · Birdy Nam Nam - Goin' In

Now let's take a look at "the other side" of the album, the strongly Para One influenced tracks, to keep this battle fair, I'll only put three songs, but let's say that on the out of the 11 tracks on the album, at least 6 could have been in here.

OWSLA · Birdy Nam Nam - Parache

OWSLA · Birdy Nam Nam - (The Golden Era Of) El Cobra Discoteca

OWSLA · Birdy Nam Nam - Black Bird Cloud

To sum up the album, I would say that it's not exactly what I was expecting. But that does not mean that it's bad, not at all.

I LOVE those distorded synths, the progression of most of the tracks is as good as usual, it's a real pleasure to listen to the whole album, you don't feel like there are "fill up songs" except for one maybe, Cadillac Dream, that is a bit repetitive on the vocal side and too chill, it kinda kills the mood.

Overall, great album, the Birdy Nam Nam and Para One combination worked like a charm, but again, you really need to enjoy Para One's style to enjoy this album in my opinion.

Enjoy!
-Here

Marble Players and a MagicTape

Hi, very quick post once again, still at work...

The Magician's back again with a lovely MagicTape, featuring his new remix of Scenic - Another Sky.

The Magician · Magic Tape 13

Tracklist in the comment section !

And something else new, a remix of Rimer London - Put Your Gun Away by Marble Players (Surkin, Bobmo and Para One)

Rimer London · Put Your Gun Away (Marble Players Remix) [feat. Cata.Pirata]

Enjoy your rainy summer !
-Here

Gaming tracks

Oh hai there.

June's been a pretty busy month for me, but now I'm back at work, so I might have more time to do posts :)

I'm not sure tho, my schedule is pretty tight between troubleshouting / changing motherboards (seriously, how do people SMASH usb ports so often, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM ?) at IBM and nerd raging at aimbotters on APB...

So this post will be related to the geekiest side of my days.

The key to feel freakin godlike on any game is obviously having electro (or metal, I used to listen to that before too, nothing beats a good old Slipknot or Disturbed... oh memories...).

What do I recommend ?

If you enjoy trance, well, trance ! Aly & Fila, Saint Rush, Dash Berlin, that kind of stuff.

More a dubstep kind of guy ? Skream is the man, imo. Also Feed Me or oldschool Rusko (I'm talking before O.M.G.).

And if like me, you enjoy everything, here is a little selection of bangers with the progression that will make you feel better and better while the track progresses until you reach the "OMG NOONE IS AS GOOD AS ME".

The first track is gonna be a bit weird coming from me, because it's a remix of Lady Gaga. Weird, right ?

Porter Robinson achieved one more time so simply make one of the deadliest remix of the year, he's simply that good. The chopped "I'm. On. The. Edg'." just does it for me.

ladygaga · The Edge Of Glory (Porter Robinson Remix)

Next is an old Switch & Sinden remix of Santogold. Simply one of my lucky songs :p

Sinden · Santigold - You'll Find A Way (Switch And Sinden Remix)

The mendatory Noisia.



Killing synth, nervous progression, what more could you ask for ?

Animal Machine - Persona (Para One Remix)

Didn't know that one, discovered it in the Electro Beat radio of APB (which is actually really decent for a video game integrated playlist), loved it ever since.

Audio Bullys · Gimme That Punk (Radio Edit)

And I'll end with two of my favorite trance tracks ever, so you're warned, if you don't like trance, you might not enjoy those two.





Enjoy!
-Here

Para Onism

Hi there

I Have a few free minutes, and I'm in a "Para One mood" so here are some songs related to it !

First, Birdy Nam Nam's newest track, from their forthcoming LP (it will be released September 19th). The song was produced by Para One.

Birdy Nam Nam Official · Birdy Nam Nam - Defiant Order

Slice & Soda is in fact San Serac + Para One.

Para One · Slice & Soda (Para One & San Serac) - Year Of The Dragon

He also works with Bobmo and Surkin under the name Marble Players, they also creadted the label Marble Records, more about that in the interview at the end of the post.

Para One · Marble Players (Surkin, Para One, Bobmo) - Marble Anthem

One of my favorite solo original prod from him.





And two remixes, including one featuring his friend the french MC/producer Teki Latex.

Para One · Canblaster - Clockworks (Para One & Teki Latex remix)

Animal Machine - Persona (Para One remix)

Also, here is a recent interview, made by Etienne Perrin, you can watch other nice interviews on his website Imetrages



You'll hear from Marble records again very soon.

Enjoy!
-Here

Let The Children Techno

Hi everyone.

I finally found time to give LTCT a decent listen, not as good as I expected but it has got some very good tracks.



1. Mr Oizo – Let The Children Techno

Sadly, the first track is a big disappointment, Oizo did way better... But it's "just" the intro.

2. Busy P – Procrastinator

I never expect much from Busy P. Not incredible, but decent despite the lack of progression and repetitive lyrics.

3. Duke Dumont - Hipgnosis

Duke Dumont · Duke Dumont - Hipgnosis

I N S A N E .

4. Siriusmo - Idiot


Impressive track from Siriusmo, as usual I might say.

5. Para One & Tacteel - Infinity Riser (Remix Of Bernard Fevre’s Dali)

Para One · Para One & Tacteel - Infinity Riser (Remix of Bernard Fevre's Dali)

Para One AND Tacteel ? I was really excited to listen to that one. It's by far one of the best tracks on the compilation.

6. Breakbot - Shades Of Black

Breakbot · Breakbot - Shades Of Black

Alright, you'll fall in love after 5 seconds. Breakbot, you groovy funky genius.

7. SebastiAn – Enio

The worst track I've ever heard from SebastiAn, very bad. That song is so weak, I checked twice to see if it was really his. Sounds like Justice trying to do a song for a bad movie where nothing happens. Let's hope his album (hahahahahahaha.) will be better.

8. Mattie Safer – Is That Your Girl ? (Ft Telli From Ninjasonik)

No idea who the hell that is, but... N O.

9. Gesaffelstein – The Voice

Decent track, a bit too boring sadly, but I can understand what people would like in it. Simply not my type of music I guess.

10. Cassius - Shark Simple (L-VIS 1990 & The Neon Dreams remix)

CASSIUS · Cassius - Shark Simple (L-VIS 1990 & The Neon Dreams Remix)

L-Vis 1990 strikes back, amazing remix, gotta love those loud drums. Song of the month, at least.

11. Djedjotronic – The Invisible Landscape Different from Djedjotronic's usual style, but not bad at all.

12. Discodeine – Grace

Another average track.

13. Feadz – Far From Home (Ft Claude Violante)

Very catchy, I wasn't expecting that from Feadz, especially after The T.U.F.F. EP, that's not really the Feadz I like, but it's not bad at all.

14. Brodinski & Tony Senghore – Anagogue

I got bored after 3 mins (the track's 7:36 mins long) of bip bip bip, distorted sounds and weird voices.

15. Bobmo - Control


Craaaazy tune. That's not a constructive comment ? Yeah but still.

16. Zombie Nation – Relax

The 90's are over, but not in Zombie Nation's studio I guess. Like Brodinski's track, that's just not my type of music I guess.

17. Riton - One Night Stand

Riton · Riton - One Night Stand

Riton's killing it one more time. Those drums are definitely gonna make your ears smile.

18. Skream - Boat Party


I wasn't sure about Skream, not that dubstep's being overplayed at the moment but... you get it, I was worrying about the WUBWUBWUBWUBs. Great news, Skream still knows how to produce music without that shitty noise. Lovely tune, epic synths, I don't need anything more.

19. DJ Mehdi - TragicoMehdi

Ed Banger records · DJ MEHDI "Tragicomehdi"

DJ Mehdi at his best. There's something that reminds me of Fatboy Slim in the way he uses the vocals. I don't know if I can say that Mehdi's trying to go bit beat, but if he is, he's gifted. OH and, the trumpet... !

20. Flying Lotus – Caravan Of Delight
One word : booooooring.

That's it for that bitter sweet compilation, it was worth the wait, but disappointing on some levels.



I couldn't not post about Mondkopf, because I just love the guy and he released an amazing remix. So dark, so good... I might have the chance to see him again in March, if any of you see him playing next to your town, go for it, he is incredible.

Mashed Paper Klub - Troy (Mondkopf Remix) (Track no longer available)

Enjoy ! -Here