LISTEN UP :: Hmmm. Kinda Sounds Like Some Purp.

Thanks to Soundcloud and super-blog Mad Decent, I bring you...an exclusive remix of the Deerhunter track entitled Helicopter.

As some of you may know, Deerhunter, who goes by the name Bradford in the "real world", is Diplo's cousin. Diplo and Canadian-born producer Lunice, collabed to rework Helicopter, a track off Deerhunter's latest album, Halcyon Digest.

I had yet to hear of Lunice before today. Wait wait wait...not true! While I have "heard" Lunice's music, I had not "heard of" him (by name). Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I didn't know what to expect. It's not like I thought the track would suck...I mean, with Diplo and Deerhunter both in the mix, how could it? That being said, I still didn't know what to expect.

I don't know if I've told you this before, but... I LOVE  ♥ SURPRISES!

And I knew, as soon as the drippy, droppy, dribbly beat kicked it, that this track would only keep getting better the longer I listened to it.

Halcyon Digest on :: iTunes / Amazon / Beggers Store

LISTEN UP :: Bassnectar + Datsik = YESSS YESSSSS.

I'm sure most of you have already downloaded, or at least heard, the track that is a product of  adding together the sounds from two  Dubstep superpowers, BASSNECTAR and DATSIK, entitled "YES." I found myself listening to it again this morning, on repeat, as if I had never heard it before. Ahhh I truly love the feeling of falling in love all over again, whether it is with a boy or a song. So here is a free download of the track that was lucky enough to get, at least for a moment, a second chance at love with me.

 

Bassnectar + Datsik = YES

Image source: Soundcloud

LISTEN UP :: "I Love You So" Gets A Dubstep Facelift.

SKREAM brings fans some straight bass fire again with his remix of the track "I Love You So" by Cassius. The blog, The Music Ninja described this track by saying,

"If drum and bass ever went out style, this would be the song to bring it back with a Dubstep facelift."

If that doesn't get you hyped up for this free download, I don't know what will. The track got it's first spin during Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 New Years Eve broadcast. Enjoy!

CASSIUS :: I LOVE YOU SO (SKREAM RMX)

Source: Ear Plugs Not Included & The Music Ninja

LISTEN UP :: MIA Remixed.

M.I.A :: INTERNET CONNECTION (HUORATRON RUM AID RMX)

Source: Earmilk & Pitchfork

LISTEN UP :: Y'all Need to Move.

Figure & Will Bailey :: MOVE (DRUMSTEP MIX)

LISTEN UP :: New Mindelixir / Undertow.

Mindelixir :: UNDERTOW

Sources: Soundcloud, Mindelixir & Trinumeral

LISTEN UP :: Kanye & Jay H.A.M. It Up.

Kanye West and Jay-Z unleashed “H.A.M.,” on their fans on Tuesday. The highly anticipated track is the first major hip-hop release of the new year, and the first single from their super hyped-up collab album “Watch the Throne," which is due out March 1, 2011.

After sifting through, what seemed like a million reviews of the “H.A.M.” single, I stumbled upon, "Kanye, Jay-Z ‘H.A.M’ it up," written by Martin Caballero and published by the Boston Herald [BH] on Wednesday. This review was most effective because of Caballero's ability to say so much, in so few words. The following is an excerpt from the article. If you would like to read the original, there is a link to it at the bottom of this post.

"Individually, Kanye West and Jay-Z are charter members of hip-hop’s elite. As a duo, they need a throne for two.

With Tuesday’s release of “H.A.M.,”...Jay and Kanye crush any lingering doubts that success may have tempered their grand musical ambitions - or massive egos.

While West was enjoying critical acclaim (and reputation rehab) with his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” Jay added author to his resume with his semi-autobiographical book “Decoded,” a New York Times [NYT] bestseller.

But their recent individual successes will likely be dwarfed by “Watch the Throne,” which was first announced by West via Twitter in August. Big-name collaboration albums never seem to match the lofty expectations - as Jay well knows from his two spectacular “Best of Both Worlds” failures with R. Kelly - but if any pair has the confidence to break the mold, it’s these two.

Case in point: Originally planned as a five-track EP, the project was expanded to be a full-length joint, with Jay throwing around words such as “fantastic” and “another level of recording” to describe the album in a recent interview with MTV.

“H.A.M.,” which was leaked via Facebook just after midnight Tuesday, gives weight to Jay’s words. The track, created by 19-year-old Virginia producer Lex Luger, lives up to its title: loud, aggressive and “hard as a (expletive).” Dripping with the expected sense of grandiose decadence, the beat invites Kanye’s ego to run rampant over the Southern-esque double-time bounce: “It was all good just a week ago/(expletive) feel they selves, then ‘Watch the Throne’ drops/they kill themselves.”

By the time the chorus hits, the backing swells to a symphony of crashing drums and wailing choir.

For his part, Jay takes his usual shots at the few doubters still remaining (“I play chicken with a Mack truck, y’all (expletives) would’ve been moved” is the best verbal jab he lands). As a whole, “H.A.M.” is a natural extension of Kanye’s “Twisted Fantasy” sound: dark, weird, bombastic and unapologetically indulgent - and just what you’d expect from two kings on their thrones."

The YouTube links are getting pulled down. Listen to the track at RapRadar

Sources: Martin Caballero (BostonHerald.com) & RapRadar

LISTEN UP :: Nit Grit / Malfunction.

.:: FREE DOWNLOAD ::.

Nit Grit :: MALFUNCTION

Source: Afro Monk

LISTEN UP :: Obsessed with Ellie.

When I first heard Ellie Goulding's cover of Elton John’s “Your Song”, I immediately fell head over heels for her music. And now, after hearing a Dubstep remix of Ellie's Elton John cover, I know my appreciation for her music will grow and grow as time progresses. Did I mention she's cute as hell? Yuppp...she is, she is. Which makes it all that much easier to fall in love with Ellie and the amazing music she makes.

 

.:: ORIGINAL TRACKS ::.

Under The Sheets  /  Starry Eyed  /  Black & Gold  /  Guns + Horses  /  Wish I Stayed  /  The Wolves 


.:: COVERS ::.

 Your Song (Elton John Cover)  / Sleepyhead (Starsmith RMX Ft. Ellie Goulding)


.:: DUBSTEP REMIXES ::.

 Black and Gold (Slick Werk Dubstep RMX)  /  Lights (Eyes Dubstep RMX)

Your Song (Slick Werk Dubstep RMX)  /   Starry Eyed (Jakwob Dubstep RMX)

.:: MISC REMIXES ::.
  
Starry Eyed (Russ Chimes RMX)

Starry Eyed (Penguin Prison Ft. Theophilus London)

Under The Sheets (Baby Monster RMX)

 Under The Sheets (Friends Electric Mix)

 Under The Sheets (Kids at the Bar RMX)

Under The Sheets (Pariah RMX)

Under The Sheets (She Is Danger RMX)

Under The Sheets (The Knocks RMX)

Download Source: Vacay Wave
Image Source: life.in.art

LISTEN UP :: Freddy Todd / Winter Soulstice.

Freddy Todd released a FREE EP via Bandcamp to celebrate the Winter Solstice. This EP is a 3 track teaser; a glimpse of the major release Freddy will unleash for the public on January 14th.

.:: FREE DOWNLOAD ::.

Freddy Todd ::  WINTER SOULSTICE

Freddy Todd ::  IT'S SO COLD IN THE D (RMX)

Freddy Todd Elfkowitz, & Ill.so.naj ::  FLUTTERED

.:: MORE FREDDY ::.

MySpace Music / Facebook / Bandcamp / Soundcloud

LISTEN UP :: Somasphere Sounds.

Unlike the majority of the artists I write about on Mama Ana, I have yet to see Somasphere perform live. I will finally get my chance when they cruise to Chicago to throw down at the official Big Gigantic afterparty at The Kinetic Playground (which is, as some of you know, my favorite venue in Chicago).

Ok, now back to what I was trying to explain. Because I have yet to experience Somasphere in an up close and personal kind of way, I do not feel comfortable writing a bio on them. So, for now, the bio featured on their official website will have to suffice. However, once I have had the chance to experience the sights and sounds of Somasphere live, I will make sure to edit this post to include a personal take on their music.

___________________________________________________________

 

"The four-piece instrumental electronica group known as Somasphere formed in 2006, and quickly became known in Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas for energetic live shows that combine the dance floor sensibilities of DJ culture with the performance capabilities of rock music.

Their unique approach centers on solid danceable rhythms created by the use of both traditional and electronic drum kits. The flow of these distinct, yet equally energetic sources, allows the band to traverse the spectrum of grooves and tempos ranging from steady house, hard-hitting breaks and intense jungle, to mid-tempo and hip hop. In any of these styles, Somasphere always brings the low-end deep and dirty using both bass guitar and synth.

While the rhythm section is powerful, many of the sonic textures that have come to define the band’s sound center on melodies created by both guitar and laptop based sample manipulation. These disparate elements combine to create a sound that is equally at home in the headphones or on a packed dance floor.

Somasphere has performed alongside some of the most innovative electronic acts in the country, including Bassnectar, Lotus, Pnuma Trio, EOTO, Big Gigantic, Vibesquad, Infected Mushroom, Boombox, The Faint and Pretty Lights."

.:: MEMBERS ::.

Jesse Hodges : electronic drums/percussion  |  Andy Marker : drums/percussion
Troy Lieberth : bass/synth/sampler  |  Brett Smith : guitar/laptop/midi 

.:: INFLUENCES ::.

LTJ Bukem, Boards of Canada, Tortoise, STS9, Thievery Corporation, The Bays, Pnuma Trio, Disco Biscuits, Bassnectar, Daft Punk, Squarepusher, Bonkers, Roni Size, Prefuse 73, Air, Ooah, Bonobo, Telefon Tel Aviv, Eliot Lipp, Bluetech, Hefty Records, RJD2, Bil Bless, Shpongle, Warp Records, EOTO .

.:: UPCOMING SHOWS ::.

FEB 4 : LINCOLN, NE @ Bourbon Theatre (Somasphere’s 100th Show)

FEB 8 : SIOUX FALLS, SD @ Nutty’s North w/ Big Gigantic

FEB 10 : OMAHA, NE @ Waiting Room Lounge w/ Big Gigantic

FEB 11 : MADISON, WI @ Majestic Theatre w/ Big Gigantic & Kraddy

FEB 12 : CHICAGO, IL @ Kinetic Playground w/ Big Gigantic (Official Afterparty)

MAR 11 : KANSAS CITY, MO @ Crosstown Station w/ The Floozies & Mouth

.:: MUSIC DOWNLOADS ::.

Download SINE LANGUAGE (2010) for free HERE

.:: MORE LINKS / MUSIC ::. 

Somasphere (offical site)  |  Twitter  |  Myspace  |  Facebook  |  Reverb Nation  |  Last FM

Images: Somasphere &  Photobucket

Content (bio only): Somasphere

LISTEN UP :: jj / Kills.

jj : KILL THEM

jj : NEW WORK

jj : KILLS MIXTAPE (ZIP)

If you want a listen before you download, here's a continuous mix of all the tracks below...

STILL - DIE TONIGHT - KILL THEM - KILL YOU - NEW WORK - BELIEVE
PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE - ANGELS - BOOM - HIGH END

LISTEN UP :: Skream puts his own spin on "I LOVE YOU SO".

LISTEN UP :: A Meal You Don't Want to Miss / 16-Bit Bass for Breakfast.

 

Yesterday night Kissy Sell Out invited 16bit for a guest mix on his show on BBC Radio1. Included in the mix is a brand new track from Chase & Status’ forthcoming album “No More Idols”.

... FREE DOWNLOAD ...

16Bit :: Klassroom Mix

LISTEN UP :: TOKiMONSTA / Midnight Menu / Review.

Mishka NYC gives their take on TOKiMONSTA's recently released LP, Midnight Menu...

 

For months now, IDM enthusiasts have been awaiting the forthcoming LP from Jennifer Lee, who plays under the guise of TOKiMONSTA. Currently a part of heavy-hitting IDM roster at Brainfeeder, TOKiMONSTA debut, Midnight Menu comes to us via an imprint of Japan's Art Union Recordings.

From the melodic Gamble, which sees mesmerizing guitar licks strung out over a glitchy backdrop, Midnight Menu is a soulful soundtrack that irrespective of your situation, will conjure images of warmth and relaxation. Hotly tipped to any fans of Nathan Fake, Nosaj Thing, or Baths, TOKiMONSTA melts hearts with a beauty of production that appears to strip her music down to the bare essentials, this is never more prominent than on "Solitary Joy," a track featuring the sultry vocals of Shuanise. Record highlights include "Simple Reminder," a track that goes deep into overdriven samples and trumpet stabs, while "Madness" is a soul-sampling head-nodder that gets better with every play.

With the release of Teebs' Ardour, and FlyLo's Cosmogramma, 2010's been a huge year for the Brainfeeder roster, and IDM in general; gaining an even bigger fan base, from further and wider than ever before. For the moment though, Midnight Menu is a cracking debut album from one of the brightest lights currently working the IDM sound. TOKiMONSTA is presenting her own version of the vintage California sound on a debut LP full of warm and positive, glitchy IDM. If you dig this, be sure to check out her recent work with Suzie Analogue as the two combine to create the genius that is Analogue Monsta.

All content via: Mishka NYC

LISTEN UP :: YOU MAKE ME GO OUT OF MY GAME.

... STREAM ...

Jules :: You Make Me Go Out Of My Game

Source: KEEPREAL

LISTEN UP :: MISHKA BLOGLIN / BEST OF 2010.

From Mishka's Bloglin, 

It used to be that EPs were considered "less than." A precursor to an album, an unfinished work, a place for cast off tracks that didn't quite fit anywhere else. But times, they are a changin'. We now live in a world built around instant gratification, where the ability to know what someone is doing at any given time is considered not an intrusion but a standard. We've all seen how this paradigm shift has affected the music industry.

The internet has made the release of music easier than ever, with independent artists able to work closely with boutique labels, or even self-release their work. From a consumer perspective, this is certainly an exciting yet daunting development. Though the access to new music is essentially limitless, choosing which artists to listen to has become borderline stressful. Especially when confronted with a full length LP, many listeners may choose to skip over a new artist that they haven't heard of, simply because there is no time to spare.

With LP sales becoming a less and less viable commercial option, artists have taken to releasing multitudes of tracks online, seemingly at random. In an environment in which "stardom" can be determined by a blog or a retweet, artists are clamoring for any foothold. Tracks are nice, but music is not at a point (nor am I sure it will ever be) where we want to (or should) move beyond collections of songs. So we have the EP: the black sheep made paragon.

2010 has seen young artists embrace the EP like never before, with many of the most buzzed about bands having yet to release a full length. But these EP's are not the samplers of yesteryear; rather, they are fully realized and polished packages, simply shorter. It's almost a game: to try and distill your sound into the strongest 15-25 minutes possible, to leave the greatest effect over the shortest time.

With some artists (James Blake and Zola Jesus to name a few) releasing multiple EP's in a year, it has done nothing to diminish artist output. It instead has just organized it into easily consumable packages. Freedom from the LP has allowed artists to present works that are stronger separated from the padding that is so often shoehorned into albums. For many emerging genres (Witch House, Future House), the EP has become the vehicle of choice to convey their music and ethos: short and sweet.

To create our top 25 list, all of our music bloggers/reviewers were asked to submit their own individual lists of their top 15 EPs for the year. Then based on their individual rankings and frequency of appearances across multiple lists, our master Bloglin top 25 EP list was created. So, without further adieu, here are The Мишка Bloglin's picks for the Top 25 EP's of 2010.

See The Bloglin's Best of 2010  ::  Top 25 EPs

LISTEN UP :: Trophy Wife / Microlite / Acoustic.

... FREE DOWNLOAD ... 

Trophy Wife :: Microlite (Acoustic)

LISTEN UP :: Freedom Or Death / Lost In Dances.

Freedom Or Death :: Lost In Dances

LISTEN UP :: THE CBs / THE FINDING / DOORLY GARAGE RUB.

... FREE DOWNLOAD ...

The CBs :: The Finding (Doorly Garage Rub)