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Download: Desto "Makowrap (VIP Mix)"
Label: Rwina

For its first release of 2012, Amsterdam record hub Rwina will be dropping a four-track EP by Finnish producer Desto. The artist's last outing with Rwina resulted in last year's Makowrap EP, whose title track spawned this VIP mix. "Makowrap (VIP Mix)" is full of confident swagger; it's bass-heavy and driving, but accomplishes this without relying on overblown production or hyper-aggressive, in-your-face posturing. The tune features crisp beats, a catchy synthesizer melody, and a subtly effective bassline. Desto's forthcoming EP, No Sleep, will be released in late February/early March, but the artwork and tracklisting is available after the jump.  Read more » 

Average: 8 (5 votes)
 
 

Download: EEZIR "Blacktop Lane"

First Listen
Label: Futra

"Blacktop Lane" is the second track from the upcoming Lonelifter EP by Los Angeles producer EEZIR, which will serve as the debut release for both the producer and Futra, a new label based in LA. The track is defined by a lone, aggressive acid line, but is kissed with the shuffle and atmospherics associated with SoCal's current electronic-music scene. Hanson's house-leaning and acidic take on bass music brings to mind the productions of an artist like Blawan, but is perhaps a little less restless than the Brit's work. Check out the tracklist for the Lonelifter EP (which drops in March) after the jump.  Read more » 

Average: 8.3 (8 votes)
 
 

Download: Sean Byrd "Woke Up Missing You"

First Listen
Label: Plastic Sound Supply

Over the past decade, Sean Byrd has composed music for television and film, while also releasing a handful of minimal and deep-house records. The producer is now preparing a full length, titled Always Was, for a March 19 release on the Denver-based Plastic Sound Supply label. "Woke Up Missing You," the fifth track from that upcoming release, is an ambient whorl that also features some subtle drum-and-bass rhythms. Imagine that the Discovery Channel commissioned Byrd to score a miniseries called Underwater Techno Mummies; this piece of emotive, dramatic material could have easily been part of the soundtrack. 

Average: 8.7 (27 votes)
 
 

Download: Shlohmo "wen uuu (Teebs Remix)"

This warm, crackling remix of "wen uuu" from Vacation EP doesn't appear on the forthcoming release, but is nonetheless a great production from Southern California beatmaker Teebs. Utilizing portions of the original beat and a few sparse vocal samples, Mtendere Mandowa makes this track his own by floating lush synth pads and wavering guitar strums over the top of its bubbly core. Look for more remixes from Nicolas Jaar, Salva, Groundislava, and more when the Vacation EP drops on February 14. 

Average: 8.5 (40 votes)
 
 

Download: Anenon "Acquiescence"

First Listen
Label: Non Projects

Southern California music hub Non Projects has a couple new, um, projects in the works from one of its most promising artists and label boss, Anenon. "Acquiescene" is taken from a five-track EP of the same name, which is apparently a "companion piece" to producer Brian Simon's forthcoming Inner Hue LP. What strikes us first and foremost about the track is its outright musicality; there are so many ideas and elements—jazz, classical music, ambient, hip-hop, and more dancefloor-oriented electronics—interwoven throughout the five and a half minutes Simon crafted. (Incidentally, he made this one while at Red Bull Music Academy 2011 in Madrid, and it will also appear on RBMA's forthcoming Various Assets compilation.) We'd guess there's plenty more of that to come when Anenon's new EP and LP drop on March 27 and May 1, respectively. 

Average: 8.9 (56 votes)
 
 

Download: Cliff Dweller "Perch Verdad (Ricky Eat Acid Remix)"
Label: Rebel

This dreamy slice of laid-back instrumental pop comes via LA-based visual and recording artist Cliff Dweller (a.k.a. Ari Balouzian), who has released the tune on his new Perch Verdad EP (artwork above). Like the rest of the short EP, the piano-based song is made up largely of recorded bits of actual instruments, including bass guitar, plucked and bowed violin, and woodwinds, along with some vocalized percussion. On his remix, Baltimore's Ricky Eat Acid leaves the tune's ethereal feel intact, stripping down some elements while adding counter-melodious pings and a crisper beat. Rebel is offering the entire EP for free download here.  

Average: 7.6 (25 votes)
 
 

Download: DS1 "Red Rain"
Label: Slit Jockey

This purple piece of bass from UK producer DS1 deploys a volley of synth licks over skittering hi-hats and plodding bass chords. "Red Rain" appears on DS1's recent Emotions, Colours, and Spacefood EP, out now on Slit Jockey, which contains two other originals and four remixes, including a Starkey remix of this track. The artwork for the release is above, and the tracklisting can be found after the jump.  Read more » 

Average: 7.2 (18 votes)
 
 

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