“Eyesdontlie” - Machinedrum

It’s not a track we’ll see Azealia will be sampling by the end of the year. Kind of subtle for Machinedrum, don’t you think? The producer who’s recently come to fame for break beat footwork is still exploring that sound, but retreating from the spotlight a little. “Eyesdontlie” is tame for a first single, but with a space-y drop midway, it’s hard not to repeat. A grower maybe, not a stunner, but definitely a new approach from the always enjoyable Travis Matthews.

New full lenghth Vapor City will be out in September via Ninja Tune

“Jetee” - Fort Romeau

Kingdoms is still my go to dance album, two years later. Which is a long time for dance music. “Jetee” sounds less menacing the more you familiarize yourself with it, similar to the famous short film it no doubt steals its name from, and like that circular movie, Romeau will have your head spinning in ecstasy. 

- Eric Kossina

Interview: Tyler Hanan [6/14/13]

Matthew Cooper, as Eluvium, is one of the most highly regarded artists in ambient music. On May 14th, Eluvium’s followup to 2010’s divisive Similes, Nightmare Ending, was released on Temporary Residence LTD; since then, it has garnered high praise the internet over and landed high spots on many mid-year best album lists. Nightmare Ending, is a lush, gorgeous double album journey. This is music to immerse and cleanse oneself in, emerging with a clear mind and a goofy half-grin.

Matthew was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions about creating the album, potentially playing it live, and his working with his wife, artist Jeannie Lynn Paske, who does the artwork for Eluvium and will be Kickstarting a book of her artwork entitled “Wisdom For Debris” later this year. Find Matthew’s answers below, and Jeannie’s art here.

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“Something About You” - Dornik

There are so many entry points. We’ve gotten used to Frank Ocean’s 80’s vibe, and The-Dream’s, and even the party synth vibe on the last Beyonce album. So Dornik fits in so well he doesn’t stand out. He’s the wallflower, watching everyone vibe, who comes after the scene to blow everyone away. You won’t find Frank  Ocean or The-Dream making a track this smooth, nor will you find your indie brethren with a voice as smooth. It’s a background track bubbling up to the surface and stealing the show.

If you have any doubts, he shares a label with Disclosure and Jessie Ware. Collab please?

- Eric Kossina

“Strandbar (disko)” - Todd Terje

If Todd Terje only release one song a year, I would still die an ecstatic man. Last year we had Inspector Norse, the year before, Ragysh, and each one became integrated into my soundtrack for the year. No doubt “Strandbar” is going to be my sound of the summer. Like a hot Miami night, Terje knows the perfect way to make you sweat. It’s perfect until the piano comes in, and then it’s better, and by the time you hit the breakdown in the end, you’ll wonder if you weren’t actually in Miami for the past 8 minutes.

- Eric Kossina

“Open Eye Signal” - Jon Hopkins

It’s been a great year for electronic music, with Daft Punk and Disclosure releasing top albums so far, but we haven’t seen much from the underground. Enter Jon Hopkins, a veteran producer who’s worked with Brian Eno and until now, enjoyed a career in the background. Unlike Eno, his ambient music was actually made for the background, until Immunity, where Hopkins explodes onto the dancefloor. “Open Eye Signal” is the sound of a producer pulling back the curtain and announcing his work to the world. It’s rave, techno, ambient, and in a similar vein to Andy Stott last year, absolutely haunting.

Immunity is out now, via Domino.

- Eric Kossina

“95 Til Infinity” - Joey Bada$$

We’re all understandably excited for inimitable, undeniable game-changer Kanye to drop the beautifully brazenly-titled Yeezus. Though Yeezus is the most important release of the summer (whether you like that fact or not), it’s hardly the only interesting rap album to drop in the next few weeks. 

While Kanye looks to the future, Brooklyn’s rapidly rising rap wunderkind Joey Bada$$ draws from the rich vein of the 90’s rap game. His Summer Knights mixtape may have been delayed until July 1st, but the quick-spitting throwback has dropped another single. Following up lauded lead single “Word is Bond,” still drips with 90’s nostalgia even as Lee Bannon imbues it with trill 20teens production. No one’s touching Kanye this summer, but there’s a lot to be said for how much Joey Bada$$ is killing it right now.

- Tyler Hanan

Show Review: Tyler Hanan [6/11/13]

Friday, June 7th, marked the middle of a metal marathon at The Pyramid Scheme of Grand Rapids, MI. Sandwiched between nights of Kylesa (whose new album Ultraviolet is deservedly raking in rave reviews) and Baroness (a show that actually sold out), the Torche, KEN mode, and Lo -Pan faced a crowd smaller than what that lineup merits and gave it a raucous little show.

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