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Justin Jay and Claude VonStroke release Whitelabel ‘Oh’ EP

By
Metodi Gogovski
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It was a late night conversation about the past and future of dance music that elicited a surprise left field collaboration from Justin Jay and Claude VonStroke. Justin’s mission was simple: push VonStroke to the fringes. Being no stranger to disruption, Claude loved the idea of challenging creative expectations. The result is five intricate and leftfield landscapes, featuring a staggering remix from Pearson Sound.

‘Oh‘ is a record ripe with complexities and grounded in a feeling of West Coast cool. It’s a coming together of styles, with influences from UK jungle, Detroit electro, Chicago juke, and the deconstructed hip hop that shaped much of the early Dirtybird sound. The tracks differ radically but are strung together with a sense of excitement embedded in their polyrhythmic drum patterns and dynamic arrangement.

Hessle Audio‘s Pearson Sound brings a delicate touch to his remix of the title track, a firm nod from an underground icon who shaped his own signature sound across the pond.

Claude‘s ears and experience framed the direction and cohesion of the project. Sixteen years at the helm of Dirtybird A&R has given him an undeniable sense of what works, regardless of genre or style. Claude‘s love of eccentricity, affection for oddball sounds, and attention to detail are what propelled Dirtybird out of the bedroom into the forefront of the underground club scene. Since 2005, he has continued to explore the fringes, with his latest album Freaks and Beaks, his Barclay Crenshaw project, and his continually diverse Campout curation.

The EP also acts as a continuation of the recent productions helping to redefine Justin Jay‘s eclectic direction. Fast paced and experimental tunes have dotted Justin Jay‘s DJ sets and release calendar for some time, including a recent wide-reaching triumph on rule breaking Bristol imprint Shall Not Fade and a forthcoming EP on London’s Childs Play. He is an artist dead set on opening the minds of American dance fans with a sense of approachability in tow.

‘Oh‘ is pressed on a simple whitelabel disc, shedding expectations and starting open season at a label that’s always been about breaking the mold and not taking themselves too seriously.

Listen to the tracks here.

Monolink releases sophomore album ‘Under Darkening Skies’

By
Marco Di
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When we sense impending waves of change, it usually presents itself as a weariness towards the unknown, hope for the start of something new, and the possibility of personal and societal evolution – leaving us anxious and altogether unprepared.

For Monolink, the tides are indeed turning, and he stands tall, welcoming change like an old friend. His musical journey has always been reflective, and his second LP Under Darkening Skies, released on Embassy One, Ultra, and Sweat It Out Records, is another stepping stone towards the full manifestation of his artistic self.

Monolink (Steffen Linck) produces honest and thought-provoking music that oozes with emotion, while his lyrics tell relatable stories of the heart. With a background in folk guitar, he remains rooted in the understanding of music as an ancient form of storytelling, lyrics, and notes marrying to take the listener on a sonic journey through worlds and across genres. Therefore, Monolink‘s characteristic blend of indie-folk songwriting and pulsing melodic techno encourages listeners to trust his musical curiosity. He invites them to join him as they explore kaleidoscopic shades of electronic music past and present.

Monolink adds — “Under Darkening Skies is an album that’s connecting different dots in my life, representing phases or moments I went through. I wanted to go back to writing actual songs again instead of adding vocals to a beat, which gave me the freedom to express more musical facets of myself. Eventually, it became the most diverse record I have made so far, influenced by a time of global social and economic uncertainty at an ever-increasing tempo of change. Like a dark cloud approaching.”

Prior to the unanticipated global shutdown of 2020, Monolink had been touring for three years without a moment’s pause. With a year of live performances put on hold including a run at Coachella 2020, Monolink was finally still, given time to reflect and find authenticity above all the noise. Under Darkening Skies is the culmination of that stillness coupled with Monolink’s tale of realignment. Alongside these themes of self-preservation and personal awakening, he weaves in nature-laden metaphors that juxtapose the inconsequentiality of human life when faced with the weight and power of the natural world.

Steffen‘s voice cries out to this effect in ‘Reflections‘ while taking on the realities of a mind’s journey in isolation aimed to resonate deeply with impending crowds around the world:

“Everything I see is a reflection of my ego
Everything I hear is an illusion in my head
In a forest of realities I’m alone in my treehouse
That is who I am, and who am I to judge”

First and foremost a live performer, Monolink is renowned for his ability to convey raw songwriting emotion and turn crowds of thousands into intimate gatherings. Such artistry has allowed him to perform on iconic stages at Burning Man, Tomorrowland, Melt, Montreux Jazz, and more.

His debut LP Amniotic, released in 2018, achieved over 100 million combined streams with remixes from Artbat, Patrice Bäumel, Tale of Us, Nicole Moudaber and more dominating the charts around the world. His genre-blending techniques and this unwavering industry support have amassed him a diverse audience from around the world, refreshed by the direction he is taking in an effort to abandon the traditional boundaries of dance music.

Already recognized as a titan of melodic techno, Monolink presents Under Darkening Skies as a means to transport the listener deeper into the building blocks of his musical anatomy. He envelops us in the warmth of his lyrics as the brewing storm edges nearer, urging us to let go of our egos, and trusting the support of his musical guidance.

Listen to the tracks below.

Carl Cox reworks Geraldine Hunt cult classic ‘Can’t Fake The Feeling’

By
Andry Bosk
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Carl Cox

Legendary DJ and producer Carl Cox has paid homage to Geraldine Hunt’s cult classic ‘Can’t Fake The Feeling’ with his interpretation of the original, out 11th June on iconic Canadian imprint Unidisc.

A celebration of the track’s musicianship and legacy, Carl Cox delivers a pitched-up, refined rework of ‘Can’t Fake The Feeling‘ that further accentuates the infectious dancefloor energy of the original. Carl Cox‘s delicate and subtle remix is an ode to the original which was released in 1980 and topped the US Dance chart for seven weeks, also peaking at #58 on the US Soul chart and #44 on the UK Singles chart.

To celebrate 40 years since the label was inaugurated, Unidisc is utilising its extensive and plentiful supply of dance music classics to create an exceptional collection of remixes from an all-star cast of today’s dance music talent.

It was kick-started with the Claptone remix of the Trans-X classic ‘Living On Video‘, Jacques Greene‘s take on the Lime favourite ‘Babe We’re Gonna Love Tonight‘ and Alan Fitzpatrick‘s club-ready rework of ‘Let The Music Play‘ by Shannon, with Purple Disco Machine among the artists still to contribute to this exciting anniversary project.

Over its four-decade-long lifetime, Unidisc has constantly evolved and shifted with the times – formed in 1977 it quickly became one of Canada’s largest independent record labels, building a reputation around its Italo disco and Hi-NRG output from artists such as Lime, France Joli, and Geraldine Hunt. Unidisc went on to spawn a national movement that was a precursor to the arrival of global stars like Richie Hawtin, John Aquaviva and Mistress Barbara.

A musical ambassador and a veteran of acid house, a champion of techno, a dance music pioneer, label owner, king of Ibiza – you name it, Carl Cox has been there and done it, never losing sight of his passions – playing music, breaking tunes and celebrating life.

Perhaps the most celebrated electronic artist on the planet, he has received thirteen DJ Awards, three International Dance Music Awards, three DJ Mag Awards and one NME Award – while showing no signs of slowing down.

The fourth show-stopping remix release in a row, Unidisc acquire the service of a bonafide dance music legend with typically dazzling results.

Listen to the track here.

ELYAZ has just dropped a powerful new single “The Place Where We Belong” [VIDEO]

By
Metodi Gogovski
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Multi-talented DJ and producer Mauro Elias Morone aka ELYAZ has just dropped a powerful new single titled “The Place Where We Belong”, a slick follow-up to previous productions, “Wildlands” and “Break the Distance”.

ELYAZ is a musician, singer and music producer from Italy, who at a very young age began his musical journey and embraced the guitar. By choosing his own path to success rather than the one already carved out by others, ELYAZ secured himself a signature sound that’s known and loved across the world. Morone has always lent a unique sensibility and feeling to his compositions and arrangements, which all comes from a burning musical passion inside.

Earning high numbers on the most famous music platforms, ELYAZ presents his tracks mainly as a DJ. His projects explore concepts and tell evocative stories, taking the listener to faraway places. With his drive and ambition there are no more boundaries.

ELYAZ does not disappoint with the arrival of his long-anticipated release “The Place Where We Belong” accompanied by a breathtaking music video just for your audio-visual experience!

The pages of an old book tell the tale of a lost sea dog on a quest to find a faraway emotion. A hidden treasure map and along-forgotten spyglass will guide him on a journey to rediscover the strength and beauty of a lost love. At the foot of a waterfall, a mysterious woman comes forth with a pyramid in her hands bringing a message held among the memories of an ancient library.

Watch the video below!

♫ Stream/Download: https://ELYAZ.co/TPWWB
Follow ELYAZ:

Armin van Buuren and Sander van Doorn have teamed up to release ‘Jonson’s Play’

By
Andry Bosk
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World-renowned trance stalwarts Sander van Doorn and Armin van Buuren have teamed up to release ‘Jonson’s Play’, a highly-anticipated collaboration that will set this summer’s dancefloors ablaze with infectious energy.

The monumental single from both Dutch talents directly follows the Sander van Doorn remix of Above & Beyond and Armin van Buuren‘s 2019 hit ‘Show Me Love‘, released at the tail end of this April. Out now on Armin’s very-own Armada Music, ‘Jonson’s Play‘ is available to listen to across all streaming platforms.

The hard-hitting, anthemic endeavor begins with a pulsating kickdrum, quickly accompanied by a rising tension that is audibly rife with a palpably raw sonic intensity. A rhythmic beat is introduced into the space and effortlessly aids in creating a wholly energetic buildup, complete with several following forcible bass drops.

Packing quite a punch, the propelling tone eventually picks up its pace, and is paired alongside atmospherically entrancing production elements. In all, the track’s masterful synth manipulation and signature trance sensibilities blend perfectly with its subtle, propulsive techno flair.

Larger-than-life from start-to-finish, the latest to come from Sander van Doorn and Armin van Buuren is a groundbreaking masterpiece that has all the qualities of a certified high-octane rinser.

Listen to the track below.

Eli & Fur present ethereal vocal warmth with ‘Carbon’

By
Marco Di
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Eli & Fur

Eli & Fur delve profoundly into their songwriting roots with ‘Carbon’ – the latest single derived from their dual-part conceptual album ‘Found In The Wild.’ Split down the middle into two distinct halves – ‘Found’ and ‘In The Wild’ – the album shows both sides of them as artists and songwriters which are contrasting yet complementary, grounded in their pop production background but with a dark electronic bite.

Taken from the preliminary half of the project which is aptly titled ‘Found’, ‘Carbon’ is an enchanting rediscovery of the duo’s lyrical intricacy. Delicately automated arpeggiators ladder gently through the composition with rising fervency as the shimmer of synth pads cut through the high-end with undeniable elegance.

‘This track existed before the pandemic. The song was there already, as it was written in LA the previous year. A lot of our tracks just start with us in the studio playing chords and coming up with a traditional song structure: verse, bridge, chorus. We often pull some of that away and let the production speak for the non-vocal parts, but we felt this one needed to be fully fleshed out.

We added that darkness in the production—the arp, the crunchy bass—and it gave it another level of emotion. It’s deep, but it’s hooky in the vocal, and we like to try and get that balance with all of our tracks,’ Eli & Fur says.

The girls’ trademark electronic textures interweave sophisticatedly with their songwriting prowess, a skill which began at just 18 years old when the duo met at school. Eli & Fur spent their days at pop production factory Xenomania, a UK powerhouse renowned for producing hit after hit, writing songs for Girls Aloud, Katy Perry, and Pet Shop Boys, and producing their own more ethereal, emotive material at night. ‘Carbon’ explores Eli & Fur’s many talents and their deft skills as songwriters, vocalists and producers are on display in abundance.

‘Carbon’ is available to stream now with the full ‘Found In The Wild’ album available June 25th via Anjunadeep.

Listen to the track below.

Oliver Heldens and MorganJ join forces on banging new track ‘Ma Luv’

By
Metodi Gogovski
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Oliver Heldens

You can always rely on Oliver Heldens to keep the big tracks coming through thick and thin. Not content with putting out a whopping 26 originals and remixes in the past year, he’s back with another hefty new slice of full-throttle dance music, mixing genres effortlessly in the process. After the releases of ‘Never Look Back’ and ‘Zapdos’, he is now sharing his futuristic house sound on ‘Ma Luv’, featuring talented Italian DJ/producer MorganJ.

This new single adds to Heldens’ collection of club-ready tracks. ‘Ma Luv’ wastes no time in getting down to business, with a classic Detroit techno stab riff hammering away under MorganJ’s raspy vocal tones. Those stabs are an indication of things to come, as we’re slammed into a thumping kick drum and rumbling techno bassline drop — a super sparse and atmospheric soundscape.

The track picks up with the stabs bolstered by blasts of ravey hoover synths and the pitter-patter of a swinging hi-hat rhythm. The teasing breakdown lets the vocal soar and after a beefy snare roll crescendo, we’re thrust back into the rolling groove. It’s meaty stuff, and its raw sound shows how far his music has come in the last few years.

Heldens recently announced his biggest London show to date at the majestic Printworks venue, taking place on September 25, with pre-sale access available by signing up here. He also revealed that he’ll be playing a headline show at Melkweg in Amsterdam on October 13 for ADE.

Listen to the track below!

Julian Wassermann returns to Renaissance with ‘People’ EP

By
Alex Gelevski
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Julian Wassermann

Arguably one of the hardest working men in dance music today, Julian Wassermann returns to Renaissance with a sophomore EP that confirms his talent and versatility…

‘People EP’ is four distinct cuts, spread across six mixes, that takes in both melodic and more traditional peak time techno and electronica/breaks. So, extremely varied on the one hand, yet, as is the way with Julian, when considered as a whole, he manages to impart his amazing production skills and make the EP hang together. Put another way, it makes complete dancefloor sense in the truest sense of the word.

‘Resonator’ kicks things off with a serious bang as he explains, “It’s my version of peak time techno. It’s quite simple in its arrangement, but has a menacing, modulated lead that grows in intensity. I can’t wait to play this one out in the coming months…”

Things then take a more soothing turn with title track ‘People’, which is the first of two vocal electronica offerings. “I love breakbeat songs with emotions and playful melodies,” Julian continues, “from a creative point of view, I’ve really enjoyed the time lockdown has given me to explore wider genres I may not necessarily have delved into had clubs and gigging continued as normal.”

The EP concludes by flip-flopping between techno and breaks yet again with ‘Radio Problems’, an MH&T track that’s very much a continuation of ‘Komet’ from his debut Renaissance EP with its fusion of contemporary beats and retro sounding synths; and ‘Fallen Stars’, which is a more reflective electronica piece that draws down on its deep, haunting vocal.

Lastly, we need to point out the song-phobic need not worry as Julian kindly offers both as dubs too, “I’ve included dub mixes for DJs because I often prefer that myself when playing out,” he admits.

Listen to the tracks below.

UEFA EURO 2020 to Kick Off with Virtual Performance of Martin Garrix’s “We Are The People

By
Andry Bosk
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Martin Garrix, Bono and The Edge will take centre stage at the UEFA EURO 2020 opening match in the Olimpico in Rome with a virtual performance that will use cutting-edge technology to bring fans closer to the competition’s curtain-raiser on 11 June.

The collaboration of the U2 rock legends and one of the world’s biggest DJs/producers on the Official Song of UEFA EURO 2020 has extended to a digital recreation of the Olimpico which will see the three artists come together as never before for a celebratory performance of We Are The People. The song will be played as part of the opening ceremony moments before kick-off of the tournament’s first match between Italy and Turkey.

“The sense of anticipation for UEFA EURO 2020 has really intensified as participating national teams announce their squads and our host venues finalise preparations,” said UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein.

“The opening ceremony in the Olimpico in Rome will be a fitting preamble to the tournament, and I am pleased that the collaboration between three great artists, Martin Garrix, Bono and The Edge, has also produced a virtual performance that will enable fans across Europe and the world to feel closer to the tournament.

We Are The People encapsulates the celebration of togetherness and festivity at the heart of UEFA EURO 2020, and I am sure fans will be thrilled by the virtual performance whether they are watching at home or online.”

The performance, themed around a real-life live stadium gig, will weave the song’s lyrics of hope and positivity, together with powerful imagery brought to life by technology, including the pitch being transformed into a blue-white flame, energy fields created from millions of light particles and Bono projected on to the stage delivering a powerful yet intimate vocal performance that will resonate with the millions watching from home.

It was filmed in state-of-the-art motion-control studios in London, and at the Olimpico in Rome, to recreate the stadium environment in 3D.

Football fans can get tournament ready with the official UEFA EURO 2020 playlist, curated by Garrix and featuring song selections by top players. The official playlist is available on all major music streaming platforms.

WhoMadeWho release eye-catching live performance from Næstved, Denmark

By
Alex Gelevski
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Following their striking livestream for Lightening In A Bottle’s 24-hour digital festival just a couple of weeks ago, experimental Danish electronic pop trio WhoMadeWho now unveil the full 60-minute performance, free for fans to enjoy over on their official YouTube channel.

Teaming up with local Danish architects and designers, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) – who were brought on board to bring their iconic SKUM Pavillion structure to the coastal cliffs of Denmark’s Næstved region – the Scandinavian trio pulled out all the stops to deliver another dazzling hour-long stream, sound-tracked by a selection of the band’s dynamic musical catalogue; past, present and future.

Taken from the Danish word for ‘foam’, the ‘SKUM’ Pavillion is a huge 20m long bubble-like structure powered by two wind-turbines, and was first erected at the globally renowned Roskilde festival, back in 2016.

Speaking about the recent performance, WhoMadeWho commented:

“This live concert film was a special experience for us – in particular for Barfod who grew up in the Danish countryside, 500 meters from the field it was filmed at. The initial location actually got cancelled, and with no place to film, Tomas called his family who still live in the area. We also underestimated SKUM and it’s sheer size. Apparently it needed more effort to place a half ton and 20 meter long structure than we had anticipated. And of course, 60 min before recording it began to rain…”

The Næstved livestream follows the critically acclaimed release of WhoMadeWho’s latest hit single, Mermaids, which dropped on Embassy One at the beginning of May. The first original single to be taken from their upcoming seventh studio album, due in early 2022, Mermaids will also be getting an official remix from Italian tastemaker and Life and Death label boss, DJ Tennis, on Friday, July 2.

Stay tuned to artist and label socials below to stay in the loop.

Watch the video below.

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