XLR8R News and Features

Monty Luke Drops Movement Festival Mix for NPR

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Detroit resident Monty Luke is no stranger to XLR8R's pages (he once wrote for them, and has since been written about on them), so we're especially pleased that he's been included in the lineup at the Movement festival this year. We're also happy that the DJ/producer has shared a solid new mix ahead of that auspicious performance.

Jodeci "Freek N' You (Tokimonsta Frickinyoo Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 -0500

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, LA beatmaker Tokimonsta (pictured above) has flipped "Freek N' You," the classic slow jam first released by Jodeci back in 1995.

Cosmin TRG Preps New 12" for 50Weapons

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 -0500

Next month, Berlin-based tunesmith Cosmin TRG will release his fourth record for Modeselektor's 50Weapons imprint.

Listen to Jacques Greene's Oki-Ni Mix

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:30:00 -0500

It's not often that Montreal producer Jacques Greene offers up a new DJ mix, which makes his new entry in the Oki-Ni mix series a certifiable 'big deal,' at least in internet terms.

Policy "One Last Time (FaltyDL Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 -0500

Two of NY's finest dance-music operators are teaming up for a new release on Rush Hour, with Policy's "One Last Time" single being backed with a FaltyDL remix (as well as another reworking by Dutchman Tom Trago).

Hackman to Drop Limited Single via Ramp, Offers Free Download

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:12:54 -0500

Notable UK producer Hackman has announced he'll continue with his 2012 output and release a one-sided 10" via Ramp.

Stream the New Locked Groove EP on Turbo

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:00:00 -0500

After kicking off the year with his debut 12" for Hotflush, Belgian producer Locked Groove is going to have himself a busy summer, as the techno-leaning upstart will be dropping another record for Hotflush on June 18 and the Different Paths EP (artwork above) for Turbo Recordings on June 4. The Montreal-based imprint has been kind enough to pass along the latter to stream exclusively here on XLR8R; listen to the EP, in full, after the jump.

Eprom "Realization"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 -0500

Amsterdam's Rwina crew recently rolled out its first release of 2012, Eprom's venomous "Regis Chillbin" single, which comes backed with a high-octane Machinedrum remix. The Portland-based beatmaker also has a full-length on the way later this summer, Metahuman, also dropping via Rwina. Ahead of that, here we have "Realization," a neon-spiked, non-release track that demonstrates Eprom's production prowess. The song oscillates like a slow-building third-eye experience, streaming vibrant arpeggios and detuned synth textures in a whirlwind of melody that revolves around a steady, juke-stepping beat. The tune constructs its rhythms and progressions with fluidity; it's only when aspects are dropped out at various breakdowns that we become aware of their individual impact, all prior to being lifted rambunctiously into the next phase of the song. Apart from his releases, Eprom will also be keeping busy on the road in the months ahead; his upcoming US tour schedule has been posted after the jump.

Loudspeaker Riddim

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:00:00 -0500

When it comes to unlikely stories, it's hard to top the notion that Dre Skull would somehow become a top dancehall producer. That's not meant as a slight to the Brooklyn-based beatmaker, but he's certainly taken a long, strange trip since he first surfaced in the mid '00s with a series of dance cuts that largely pulled from electro, B-more, and hip-hop. Most notably, he's founded his own Mixpak label and gradually worked his way into the world of dancehall, frequently traveling to Jamaica and collaborating with the likes of Sizzla, Vybz Kartel, and others. His latest offering, Loudspeaker Riddim, features vocal contributions from Beenie Man, Natalie Storm, Machel Montano, and Popcaan. It might also be the best thing he's ever done.

Untold Set to Release Second EP in Series

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Jack Dunning (a.k.a. Untold) is preparing to release the second installment in his Change in a Dynamic Environment series.

Downtown Party Network "The Machine Man (Best Kept Remix)"

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:00:00 -0500

Disco-pop is one of many flavors the Lithuanian duo of Downtown Party Network specializes in, and with a new EP out on Best Kept Secret, the pair has allowed the label to incorporate some Detroit techno and even trance-like elements into their vibrant sound. The Linn-drum setup behind the beat on "The Machine Man (Best Kept Remix)" proclaims its allegiance to summertime '80s vibes while a Motor City-influenced bass synth rolls out some deliciously funky accompaniments.

Illum Sphere Remixed

XLR8R Magazine — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:00:00 -0500

Manchester's Illum Sphere probably doesn't need an EP of remixes just yet. Over the past three years, he's released a handful of EPs via Fat City, but with the exception of a enthusiastic co-sign from Ikonika, who inevitably turns up here, he doesn't have the kind of catalog or visibility that usually occasions a remix record. In addition, his production style is deliberately minor, part of an intercontinental set that mines Brainfeeder's precious ore of weeded-out head-bob beats and transparent 8-bit synths.

Carl Craig, Actress, Nina Kraviz, and More to Play Decibel 2012

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Seattle's largest electronic-music gathering, the decade-old Decibel Festival, has announced the first half of its 2012 lineup, including Carl Craig, Actress, John Talabot, Nina Kraviz, and Matthew Dear.

Subp Yao "Chjords"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:00:00 -0500

While synthesizer chords certainly have their place in this track from the Netherlands' Subp Yao, the song's most obvious characteristic is a booming rumble of a bass, which sounds heavy and throaty on computer speakers and just might test a club's structural integrity while blasting out of an oversized soundsystem. Pitched-up and heavily processed vocal snippets are scattered throughout the piece, as are off-kilter percussion sounds that shuffle about in a frenzied manner. "Chjords" is taken from Subp Yao's latest full-length, Smoke Up, Drink Up, which was released earlier this month through Saturate and can be downloaded in its entirety free of charge at Bandcamp. Subp Yao also released a remix album earlier this month, 1000 Remixes, which is available for free download here. The tracklisting and artwork for both of those releases can be found after the jump.

DJ Harvey Returns as Locussolus

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 -0500

Last year, legendary party starter DJ Harvey offered up the first full-length of his storied career, under the name Locussolus. Released via Uruguayan imprint International Feel, the album largely consisted of previously released singles and edits. Nevertheless, it seems that the moniker was more than a goof or a one-off experiment, as it's been revived by Harvey for an upcoming single.

LOL Boys to Release Mix Album for Unknown to the Unknown

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:30:00 -0500

This week, party-starting DJ/production duo LOL Boys dropped a mix album for UK imprint Unknown to the Unknown (a label we very much love), the second installment of an ongoing series that started with an offering from DJ Q.

Bok Bok "Dance Report"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:00:00 -0500

In the late '00s, Buraka Som Sistema introduced much of the world to the energetic Angolan sounds of kuduro (which translates literally as "hard ass"), most notably with the release of its seminal album Black Diamond in 2008. Since then, the Portuguese outfit has put plenty of its own spin on the genre, and has actively encouraged other producers to cross-pollinate diverse types of dance music such as baile funk, tropical bass, cumbia, and of course house, bass, and techno. Through its Enchufada imprint, the group has also released six mini compilations called Hard Ass Sessions, in which BSS recruited producers such as Douster, Dubbel Dutch, Brenmar, and Kingdom to try their hand at the kuduro sound. Next week, the best of the various Hard Ass Sessions will be available as one 21-track compilation that will also feature a mix from founding BSS member J-WOW and a previously unheard tune from Slap in the Bass. Bok Bok's "Dance Report," which originally appeared on Hard Ass Sessions Volume II, is a hard-edged bit of kuduro-inspired bass/electro that will be featured on both the CD and digital versions of the comp. Take a look at the artwork for the Hard Ass Compilation, above, and check out the full tracklisting after the jump.

Hessle Audio Readies EP from Bandshell

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:30:00 -0500

The impeccable Hessle Audio imprint has announced its next release, a four-track effort from UK beatmaker Bandshell.

Hardhouse Banton to Return with New EP

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:00:00 -0500

Back in 2008, Hardhouse Banton was the toast of the UK scene. His track "Sirens" was an anthem in the burgeoning UK funky scene, and the London producer seemed poised to seize a position as one of its leaders. For whatever reason, that never really happened, as his releases slowed to a trickle and Hardhouse Banton gradually became one of those artists people referred to in the context of "whatever happened to that guy?" Apparently, that attitude was a bit premature, as Hardhouse Banton will soon be returning to the fold with a brand-new EP.

Video Premiere: Auntie Flo "I Want To Blow Your Mind"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 -0500

With his new mini-album, Future Rhythm Machine, out now via Huntleys and Palmers, Glaswegian producer Auntie Flo has debuted this video for "I Want To Blow Your Mind feat. Esa."

Temples "II"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 -0500

Ecstasy Records, the Portland-based imprint run by party-starting house outfit Miracles Club, has just released the label's first full-length record, a seven-song LP from Temples (a.k.a. Avalon Kalin, pictured above). The track titles are nothing more than ascending Roman numerals, with the entire work having been dubbed I-VII. Here, we have "II," a floating bit of spacey four-to-the-floor with polyrhythmic percussion and a complex arrangement crafted with what sounds like a xylophone. I-VII was released on Monday, and is available on either limited-run vinyl or digitally with two bonus tracks. After the jump, you can take a look at the record's artwork and view the subtly trippy video for the song "III."

Dusty Sundays EP

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:00 -0500

Somehow, the fledgling Amadeus imprint is already on its fourth release since its launch earlier this year, and despite this rapid-fire output, the label has managed to keep its aims rather focused, showcasing burgeoning artists from the deep and more cerebral side of house music. In that vein, Chaos In the CBD—a pair of brothers from New Zealand—has delivered Amadeus' latest effort, an EP with three lengthy originals and a remix from rising Londoner (and recent XLR8R podcast contributor) Jack Dixon.

Onra to Drop EP via Fool's Gold; Stream New Track

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Parisian beatmaker Onra has a new EP in the works for Brooklyn's Fool's Gold label, a five-song record called Deep in the Night.

Nitemoves "Challenger"

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:00 -0500

Oakland-based musician Rory O'Connor (a.k.a. Nitemoves) began composing his debut solo effort while serving as the touring drummer for recording artists Tycho and Com Truise. His nine-track LP, titled Longlines, was released earlier this week through Moodgadget, and it's a wide-ranging, synth-heavy effort that touches on easy-going pop, experimental cacophony, and various points in between. As one might expect from a record written largely while travelling in the backseat of a touring vehicle, the songs are drenched in introspection and wanderlust, taking cues and inspiration from various locales while harnessing a feeling of isolation. "Challenger," the second cut from the album, is a straightforward bit of nostalgia-inducing pop that stacks layers of synths over manipulated vocal snippets before melting away into the next track on Longlines. After the jump, take a look at the LP's artwork and full tracklisting.

Lied to Be Loved

XLR8R Magazine — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:00:00 -0500

The history of production duo Instra:mental starts with some well-received drum & bass singles at the start of the millenium, and includes a fallow period of six years prior to their reemergence in 2007. Since then, Alex Green and Damon Kirkham have had a lot to say, both together (with last year's Resolution 653 album) and apart (the former as Boddika and the latter as Jon Convex, among other guises). Their collaboration mirrors the tectonic evolution of UK dance music, and their timing—knowing when to hold back and when to burst forth—has granted them an uncommon longevity.

Madegg "Kamera"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 -0500

"Kamera" brings a strangely cuddly end to Japanese beatmaker Madegg's upcoming Teach EP. Hoots, clinks, and the twangs of an acoustic guitar bob in and out of the stoney haze like an off-kilter choir of emoji singing over a half-time beat. The 11-track record is slated to drop on May 28 via Flau (check the artwork and tracklist after the jump), and will be followed by a full-length album from 19-year-old producer in July. As if to underscore the ephemeral nature of Madegg's sound, Flau will also be offering t-shirts embossed with download codes to people who purchase his debut LP.

Hippos in Tanks to Release New Nguzunguzu EP

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:47:13 -0500

Unveiled just today, Warm Pulse is the forthcoming new EP by LA bass experimentalists Nguzunguzu, the duo's first record of 2012.

Shed Releases Another New EP

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:07:49 -0500

Following a period of relative quiet after the release of his excellent 2010 album The Traveller, Shed (a.k.a. René Pawlowitz) has been rather busy in 2012. His third LP, The Killer, is set to appear in July via 50 Weapons, and the man recently dropped a new EP, A 100, as The Traveller. Now, the Berlin-based artist has unexpectedly released another 12", this time using two of his other aliases.

Stream Becoming Real's New Mini-Album

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:30:00 -0500

UK producer Becoming Real has just dropped a new mini-LP, Solar Dreams / Neon Decay, and has offered up a stream of the entire thing online.

Octo Octa "Deep Hurt"

XLR8R Magazine — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:00 -0500

There's a major caveat to consider ahead of our enjoyment of this new tune by Brooklyn producer Octo Octa: The dude samples Aaliyah throughout "Deep Hurt." At this point in the acapella-jacking game, anything recorded by the deceased, iconic singer has been re-appropriated so many times that you're treading on some very well-worn ground if you even borrow one hard-to-pin-down phrase from her stellar output.