I'm currently sitting in front of the computer, attempting to study for an exam I have tomorrow. To give me a reason to procrastinate, here's a few songs:
Heard this song a long while back, and wasn't all that impressed, maybe it was the original by DJ Fresh? Either way, I was wrong, and this song is awesome.
Avicii's song "Penguin" has a really nice piano riff that repeated throughout the song. Apparently too good, to the point where radio artist Leona Lewis may or may not have taken notice. I mean, you check it out and give me your opinion:
Madeon is getting a lot of cred in 2011. He's a 17-year old French producer with already an official remix of Raise Your Weapon, as well as Pendulum's The Island. He seems to be following somewhat in line with Mord Fustang and a lot of the newer artists putting out that sort of "glitch-pop-electro". Pendulum - The Island (Madeon Remix) by Madeon
He just posted up this live mashup of a bunch of songs he's digging, including Starry Eyed, Around the World, Viva La Vida, what sounds like Ratatat's Wildcat growl, and more. This isn't like those shitty mashups between Ghosts N Stuff, Like a G6 and some random Lil' Wayne you find nonstop on Hypem, its actually catchy and well done.
And finally, there's a little song going around both XM, and your local pop radio station alike, it's called "Save the World Tonight" by Swedish House Mafia. To be honest, the song seems like the mainstream music industry's next step towards incorporating the EDM sound and scene into something profitable and more widely accepted. So no, I am not advocating you listen to this song, I am rather advocating you listen to Zedd's remix of it. It still has the catchy Coldplay sounding vocals and such, but is just now way cooler. Thanks for the swag Zedd. Save The World (Zedd Remix) by Absynth_mx
Happy Belated 4th of July fellow Techno lovers. Last weekend was a glorious weekend, mostly due to a little festival in Rothbury, Michigan, called Electric Forest. For 4 days hippies and ravers alike jammed out to some great electronic, as well as jam bands (specifically Cheese, for 3 days and 6 sets). Anyways, I took a bunch of videos, they're all on YouTube, on the Litany Approved Channel (HERE), but here are some reviews as well as highlights for your viewing pleasure, in chronological order:
Day #1
There was an absolutely massive lightning storm on the first night of Rothbury. Excision was playing around 11:00, but got held up for a half hour while the weather cleared up. Video doesn't do the storm justice. His set was exactly what you'd expect from Excision, heavy dub that never lets up.
Kaskade followed him up on the Ranch Arena (mainstage), good solid set from Ryan as well.
Day #2
Second day Tiesto was the main electronic headliners, who would usually play about a half hour after String Cheese Incident finished up their 2nd set of the night, at around 12:15. I had never seen Tiesto live, and was fucking stoked. Obviously tons of club bangers. Opened with "Pressure" and then dropped Avicii's "Levels".
My favorite set of the weekend went to Feed Me. He seemed really into it, interacting with the crowd and such. Not to mention it was just such a diverse set, sometimes crazy ass dub, other times poppy electro. Can't wait to see him again.
Day #3
The 3rd day was definitly the most stacked as far as the number of DJs to catch. Bassnectar, Zedd, Porter Robinson, Skrillex, 12th Planet and more. I wish they would have spaced it out, by the time 3:30 in the morning came around, and Skrillex had finished his set, and 12th Planet's was about to begin, I was so beat I decided to skip 12th Planet's set and go crash. In retrospect that was a huge mistake, apparently 12th Planet really threw down and Skrillex showed up for a mini guest set. Favorite sets of the day went to Bassnectar and Zedd. Bassnectar absolutely destroyed it (watch for the glow stick explosions, they're pretty cool), and Zedd was just classic electro house, and the indoor stage (Wagon Wheel) wasn't too crowded for his set. Honestly, Sonny was kind of a let down, he kept cutting the music out and trying to do a crowd sing a long, but it just wasn't working. Combine that with pretty sloppy transitions and a lot of rap, and it just didn't live up to what I've come to expect from Sonny live.
Zedd @ Wagon Wheel
Porter Robinson @ Wagon Wheel
Bassnectar @ Ranch Arena
Skrillex @ Tripolee
Day #4
Not too much in the way of Electronic acts on the last day, mostly just Cheese's final set, Pretty Lights and Eoto. Sadly Derrick went on super late, and his set ended after Eoto's had ended, even though schedule wise you shoulda been able to catch both.
Solid fucking festival, had a shit ton of fun, can't wait for next year.
Sorry this post is a but late, I was out of touch with reality and society at Electric Forest. Speaking of which look for a review of Rothbury soon. Anyways...
Figured every month I'd post up the top 5 songs I've been feeling most this month. They may be released this month, or they may not. They may have been previously posted, they may not. Basically the cream of the crop, the "if you're only going to listen to 5 songs this month" shit. So without further ado...
I never had heard of Helicopter Showdown until a few months ago, when I heard this song. I checked out a few other songs from his repetoire, and there's just nothing that sticks like this one. The sounds are catchy, the breaks and reprieves are inventive too. Its just a great song that goes hard while still being unique and not getting on your nerves.
The way I see it, dubstep seems to fall along two lines. First, are the artists who are going for pure shock value, the biggest drops, the bassiest noises possible. The second seem to want to push the creative limits a bit more, make something more musical, maybe even poetic. The Pacifica EP from Spor definitly falls into the latter category. Pacifica's Vocal Mix is dubby, yet somber, and trippy.
3. Pacifica (Kito & Reija Lee Vocal Mix) - Spor (Experimental Dub) Spor - Pacifica (Kito & Reija Lee Vocal Remix) by Kito.
I know what you're thinking. Top 5...and 2 of them are the same song? There's no real defense except to tell you to listen to them both. While the first vocal mix is far more "traditionally dubstep", the second keeps a dubstep beat, but ditches the standard sounds for a more experimental, almost trance vibe. The two songs are definitely entities of their own, in my humble opinion.
4. Promises - Skrillex & Nero - (Dubstep) Nero - Promises (Skrillex Remix) by Lipstoniix
Pretty much a dubstep dominated top 5 this month., though this one I'm almost a fan of the vocals moreso than the dub. So props to Nero for this one, and of course Skrillex for the remix. Can't wait to catch Skrillex again at Electric Forest, and Nero at Identity Fest. About time Michigan started getting some good acts.
