Browsing Tag

Daft Punk

Michael Kanyongolo followed his muse instead of the herd in his alt-dance track, Justice

Posted on 7 September 2024

Brooklyn-based electronic music producer Michael Kanyongolo obliterated the EDM mould with his 3-track release, MK, featuring the seminal single, Justice.

In a track that pulses with an electro heart, Kanyongolo injects licks of funk delivered by rolling bass guitars to deepen the groove, creating progressive rhythms that play with complex time signatures, flirting with the Avant-Garde.

As the track unfolds, the heavy, dark, and reverberant phasers cloak the mix with an ominous, almost cinematic feel. The sound design isn’t just on another level; it’s in an entirely different orbit. Kanyongolo’s interstellar mix is one you can get endlessly lost in as the interplay between the layers brings ever-deepening textural depth and scintillation.

The auditory slice of ingenuity established Kanyongolo as an artist you can always expect the unexpected from. His inspiration from electronic icons like Daft Punk and Justice is clear, but it’s his signature synthesis of adventurous production techniques that make him worthy of a space on your radar.

Stream Justice on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NASRUS has unleashed their fearlessly unfiltered funked-up debut, Neurotic Goddess

Posted on 27 May 2024

The pop/R&B duo NASRUS, comprised of Grammy-nominated artist Shawn Rivera and acclaimed singer-songwriter Norm Adams, exhibited a testament to their fearlessly unfiltered lyrical approach by unleashing their genre-fluid debut single, Neurotic Goddess,

Eschewing the typical ilk of funked-up, synth-laden hits, Neurotic Goddess dives deep into the psyche of the kind of narcissistic nightmare that you’d hope to only encounter in your subconscious and not the streets.

The audaciously infectious anthem leaves over-explored female archetypes behind, opting instead to explore the chaotic magnetism of neurotic femme fatales. The playful, devil-may-care narrative spills swathes of catharsis for anyone who has ever tangled with such a personality, providing a vindicating outlet for their pain.

The funk guitar chops against the rhythmically compelling beats, 90s aesthetics and synth-pop melodies paired with the augmented dualling vocals positioned NASRUS as one of the hottest duos since Daft Punk brought the funk.

Stream Neurotic Goddess on Spotify now and let NASRUS take you on a wild ride through the depths of neurotic euphoria.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The FAMM offers plenty of high-vibe groove in their Funk-soaked single “I Got a Feeling” featuring Deangelo Nedio

Posted on 13 August 2020
https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-got-a-feeling-feat-deangelo-nedio/1422432380?i=1422432382

Anyone curating playlists of the hottest Summer Hip Hop singles will want to make Colorado-based artist The FAMM’s 2018 single I Got a Feeling featuring Deangelo Nedio a staple.

You won’t find a more infectiously high-vibe single if you turned on the radio today. With Jazz and Funk weaved into the fresh and danceable mix, it offers the same euphoria-oozing feel as tracks by the likes of Daft Punk and the Weekend. Reminiscences aside, The FAMM (forever about making music) discernibly don’t create their tracks by means of assimilation. I Got a Feeling is as authentic as feel-good music gets. There’s a soulful sincerity within their galvanizing production which practically begs for repeat attention.

You can check out I Got a Feeling for yourselves by heading over to Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bone Cult’s ‘’Realize’’ is the freaky faced paced single for 2020’s wild year

Posted on 25 May 2020

This is a duo based in Nottingham, UK who come out with bone crushingly intense Death Electronica. This is definitely not music you would want your kids to listen to, unless they don’t plan on sleeping for a while.

Driving beats and synths power is the name of the game here, powering through again and again to no rest bite. ‘Bone Cult’ are here to rock and not stop.

Starting out as a stripped back guitar and drums outfit, the duo has evolved by embracing technology to create new unheard on earth sounds. Taking inspiration from Daft Punk, The Prodigy, Slipknot, Death From Above 1979 and Enter Shikari, the duo’s productions span a vivid and vast spectrum of rugged energy, riffs and production.

Relentless touring has seen the band perform to festivals across Europe, North America and Asia. The band’s popularity has soared internationally following their inclusion as characters in the online video game ‘Avakin Life’. A massive achievement and a great way in for the band. Gaming and music are two cultures that really mix well. 

This is music to a select few but I can appreciate it’s quality. I wouldn’t listen to this before bed however.

Stream more here if you dare.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

’Boogie Oogie Oogie’ by Renowned DJ Gual: Old treasure made shiny and new!

Posted on 1 May 2020
https://soundcloud.com/djgual/boogie-oogie-oogie/s-pThp04FidCo

I would usually be the first person to say, ‘don’t touch a classic’ but in this case I am forced to clarify and amend that statement. A Taste Of Honey released ‘Boogie Oogie Oogie’ in the summer of 1978 and it became an instant hit and one of the most memorable songs of the era. Dj Gual has touched a classic but he really has the Midas touch. He stays true to the groove of the song and gets authentic and superb vocal assistance by the very talented Cheshy. She is able to sing effortlessly and unhindered over a slick track.

The production is really clean and the musicianship is something to proud about. It really is a successful rejuvenation of a vintage, time-honoured anthem. Obviously a labour of love, DJ Gual proves once again that he has a respectful recollection of Disco mixed with artful innovation. Not everyone can touch a classic but, DJ Gual, you go right on ahead. With a soon-to-be club classic under your belt, we can’t wait to hear more!

Have a listen to ‘Boogie Oogie Oogie’ by DJ Gual on Soundcloud. You won’t be disappointed.

Review by Susan Harriott

Brigham Hollywood – Malicious: A Playfully Modern Take on Retro Dance Pop

Posted on 20 April 2020
https://soundcloud.com/brighamhollywood/malicious-1

Up and coming Alt Electronica artist Brigham Hollywood made their debut with their EP Computer Generated Idiocy in March 2020. As you’d expect from an EP with such a title, the producer made experimentalism and expression the heart of each of the soundscapes.

The first track Malicious is the perfect introduction to their accessibly eccentric songwriting and production style which will register as an infectious aural treat for any fans of Daft Punk and Disclosure.

With playful nuances of House, 80s Synthpop and RnB all infused into the high tempo enticingly entrancing beats in Malicious, don’t be surprised if you’re left with a rather stubborn earworm after listening to Brigham Hollywood’s modern take on Retro Dance Pop.

You can check out Malicious along with the rest of the EP for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

EDDIE SATURN – VACATION featuring MyCompiledThoughts

Posted on 1 April 2020
https://soundcloud.com/eddiesaturn29/vacation-ft-mycompiledthoughts-prod-by-donnydarkpop-eddie-saturn

If you like your music fuelled by Funk, Groove, and Soul, prepare to be enamoured by EDDIE SATURN’s latest playfully vibing mix “VACATION” featuring MyCompiledThoughts.

The world may be a little insane right now and going on vacation may be hard but listening to this warm and vibrant mix definitely isn’t. There’s little use in attempting slap a genre-label on VACATION, the soundscape transcends the archaic notion of aural constraint.

The popping melodies sit in constantly evolving beds of electronic effects and pick up momentum as the track which is sure to appease any fans of Daft Punk progresses. Yet with the experimentally melodic Indie feel, there’s very little in the way of assimilation in VACATION.

Perceptibly, co-producer Donny Darkpop pulled it out of the bag when they polished the mix which doesn’t just verse about nirvana, it takes you there.

You can check out VACATION for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Zero Won’s New Track “Lights” Will Definitely Hypnotise You

Posted on 14 November 2017

The Zero Won are a band from Athens with a very distinctive sound, bridging a link between indie pop and disco through hypnotic sonorities and mesmerising vocals. With a strong electronic influence in their sound, these guys have something fresh to offer and upon first listening to their new track “Lights,” one of the primary things which is noticeable is the image evoking quality in the music. All the elements are blended so well within the texture that the sound created has the ability to take you on a visual journey just by listening to it. In fact, I personally can’t wait for a music video to accompany the song.

Apart from the mesmerising and hypnotic quality expressed in the music, “Lights” also features a variety of sounds ranging from delicate guitar countermelodies, big synth sounds, pointillistic percussions and a strong melodic line in the vocal part. This, in fact, results in a memorable expressive chorus which drives the music constantly forward. As the song reaches the end, momentum is built up towards a final climax which is literally an explosion of sound featuring all the interesting elements of instrumentation chosen and combining everything together through a great mix. Listening to this song is just a hypnotic experience from start to finish.

-Sarah Marie Bugeja

Damask – Inner City: Pop with a Punch

Posted on 7 November 2017

Damask are an innovatively underground act from Essex, UK who have recently celebrated the release of their first single Inner City. Their sound is a concoction of Pop Rock & Funk styling, which is wonderfully produced into an enigmatic universal sound. The idea behind the sound came from band members; Duncan Haslam and Takahide George combined desire to create sweet, soulful vibes with a touch of class.

Inner City boasts the unmistakable soul jingle which introduces the track before it starts to flow with infinite possibility. I adore the darker undertones to this music, it transcends the usual cheap styling of the genre to create a dulcet sound which are resonant of bands such as The Killers, Editors and Chris Cornell.

The lyrics are as catchy as the hooks in the music, put them both together and you get an infectious melody, not too dissimilar for Daft Punk’s cult hit with Get Lucky. However the lyrics have a far Deeper Indie Rock resonance behind them thanks to the monumental vocal arrangements of the lead vocalist.

Check out their debut hit on the Soundcloud link below!

https://soundcloud.com/damaskmusic/tracks

Why not stay connected with Damask via Facebook on the link below?

https://www.facebook.com/akindofmodernlove

Vision Four 5 – Take Me with You feat Kate Tomlinson: They’re Back With Vengeance.

Posted on 4 November 2017

Vision Four 5 dropped their new dance floor track on the 27th of October 2017. It’s got us a little bit excited. Sure, the internet is swarming with artists that promise to be the next greatest thing and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Daft Punk, Eric Prydz & Darude, but Vision Four 5 is a delight that I can honestly say I’ve never heard the likes of before. They’re a delectable mix of Techno, House & Electronica, their recipe for musical creativity have created music that’s cross generational that everyone can enjoy.

They’re a live dance music act from Brisbane, Australia who have become the masters when it comes to interactive video technology to provide a totally immersive experience in their shows. The band have been around since 1990, and it’s honestly a crime that they’re still a relatively unheard of collective of musicians. Whilst they’ve achieved notoriety in Australia with a multitude of radio hits; their splendour is relatively un-sampled across the pond.

If you’re looking for transgressive beats & stunning imagery look no further than their latest single. It encapsulates all of the dancefloor euphoria that they’ve invoked whilst they’ve been on tour with their music. They consider touring an essential part of the writing process in their refreshingly innovative way of making their adrenaline fuelled music.

Their choice to include the Sydney based singer, songwriter & DJ Kate Tomlinson in their latest hit allowed their music to delve into a new era of music. Kate has a delectably resonant power in her vocals with the ability to melodically resonate over the layered harmonics.

Check out the official video for Take Me with You on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djPQYPj9SJg&feature=youtu.be