This is where we feature some of the best singles that have been released this week. Let us know what you think! newsicmoos@yahoo.co.uk
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Triad - 'Spellbound'
With classical training and an affinity for analogue synths, Triad stand out from their peers who are still content with churning out identikit songs with no room for innovation. Critics who accuse DnB of lacking the imagination and innovative spark of other electronic music should be silenced by this intelligent and mature track.
The German trio combine their skills effectively to produce an array of crisp percussion and wicked sub bass, driving the song forward without ever losing the subtlety which characterises it and makes it stand out from the crowd. The sinister bassline at the end of the song is a personal highlight; a small island of madness amidst the relative calm of the song.
Having never been convinced fully by DnB (and maintaining throughout my teenage years that every song sounded the same), this track could very well turn me over to the dark side. If 'Spellbound' proves to be indicative of the raw talent and skill found amidst the ranks of DnB producers, then there's hope for us all yet! Truly stunning.
Released: 18th October 2010
Label: Engine Music
Words: Darcy Mitchell
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Peverelist & Hyetal - 'The Hum/Rrrr'
Forever consistant, next up on Bristol based imprint Punch Drunk Records is the collaboration between label head and scene veteran Perverelist and one of the rising stars of the Bristol second wave Hyetal. The release of 'The Hum' follows a dazzling run of big productions for both artists, Hyetal stamping out his sound and garnering much acclaim for his Orca 12" Phoenix, as well as his Short Stuff collaboration on Punch Drunk, earlier in the year. Likewise, Perverlist dropped the awesome 'Better Ways Of Living' to a glowing reception recently, and let's not forget the original pairing of these two with Peverlist's stunning remix of Hyetals 'Pixel Rainbow Sequence'.
As to be expected in a collaboration between two totally unique and distinct artists, each of the producer's trademark sound are very much apparent and complementary of each other. Hyetal's emotive and melodic based synths and wonky melody lines shimmer and swirl effortlessly over Perverlist's distinct tribal-synced percussion and ground shaking sub bass to amazing effect. Both interesting and inspiring, the track is full of intricate detail. Heavy kicks, stabs and snares energetically propel the track from start to finish, while a clever conga line of drums drop following a beautiful burst of dischordant synth, creating a deep hypnotic rythym. A track that will have wide ranging appeal in dupstep circles as well as attracting house and techno heads, 'The Hum' has an eerie but uplifting introspective mood to it, brought on by its melancholic melodies and bright emotive synth tones. A sound perfect for the dubstep dancefloor.
Released: 18th October 2010
Label: Punch Drunk Records
Words: Rupert Worthington
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Starsmith - 'Give Me A Break'
Starsmith has been a busy dude over the last couple of years, remixing the likes of Katy Perry to N.E.R.D, as well as producing and writing for Kylie Minogue and Ellie Goulding, to namedrop but an illustrious few. On top of that he brings us a killer of an EP. After giving many pop princesses a slick synth makeover he turns to releasing his own work 'Give Me A Break/Knuckleduster' EP.
'Give Me A Break' is a catchy and fun electro-pop song with a buzzy synth lead that will warm your little cold winter faces. The vocal is so simple a monkey could have wrote it, yet looping the short burst of lyrics is all that is needed; 'Got my education/got determination/got imagination/come on give me a break'. 'Knuckleduster' doesn't provide the same kind of reaction, but in terms of 'Give Me A Break', Starsmith is onto a winner. Keep an eye on Starsmith's work, this guy is getting big!
Released: 17th October 2010
Label: UIR Ltd
Words: Sonny Van Loef
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so, u tend to think that dnb sounds quite similar, and therefore u never possibly liked it as much as other genres. And then you show this spellbound tune, which is... seriously: you are saying all of these things, and then you link to a tune that you consider brilliant, but is blatantly normal and boring as f***?
ReplyDeleteThis triad's tune is good, the bassline's good.. but there are zillions of similar (and better) tunes than this one. It doesn't stand out of the rest of tunes, for sure. It's good, but not top. Simply listen to more dnb...
And present to me those that critizise dnb for being lacky of innovation... dnb is possibly the most ever innovative, self-redefining and immensenly varied genre outthere. Neither techno, electro, glitch-*, idm, dubstep... can say the same. dnb incorporates elements from whatever genre it wants.. and u know it. dnb is nothing but the flow. rest of genres can only dream about it. Don't consider my opinion as being biased.. I love dnb, but I love lots of other stuff. But facts are facts..
listen to the new microfunk stuff, drumfunk madness, tech/hard/neuro step.. jungle.. come on.
And I'm the first one in critizising dnb for producing 90% of shit. But the 10% is simply brilliant, and makes the rest of electronic genres simply appear poor.
Ah, great blog!