After a prolonged absence from posting due to my computer being broken, I come back to you, the Bright & Shiny nation, today on the day that my summer officially starts, and I've brought with me an appropriately boss soundtrack designed to gear you all up for the ensuing period of r & r (rage and relaxation) that's about to come up in these next couple months. A couple of these tracks I've been sitting on for the past few weeks while I waited to get my computer fixed, and while I feel slightly irresponsible for not getting these wonderful beats to you all earlier, I'm also filled with a ton of joy that I finally get to bring 'em to you today. Enough of the words; let's get on to the music.
We'll start with the newest single from (in my opinion) the most talented and consistently original young dutch producer out there right now, Bart B More. 'Traction' is a beast of a track that lures you in with a smooth and catchy melody that sounds like it could have been hijacked from a Calvin Harris song, only to suddenly take off and drop into a pounding electro beat so packed with energy its practically bursting at the seams. Truly massive, expect to hear this track all over the place this summer. Of course, be sure to show the kid some love and grab the full release off of beatport. Bart B More - Traction (Club Mix)
Next up we have the long anticipated, absolutely bomb, Kaskade remix of the Skrillex hit Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites. We brought you guys a preview version ripped from the radio a while ago, but I'm proud to present you all today with the full version in all its high quality glory. Kaskade really orchestrates a masterpiece on this one, using his unrivaled skills at making gorgeous progressive house to stretch out and elevate the progressive portion from the original, only to ditch Skrillex's dubstep stylings in favor of a jackin' electro-house beat at the drop. The result is truly awesome, and further underscores why Kaskade is one of the biggest and most widely loved names in dance music today. [Beatport Release] Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Kaskade Remix)
Next up is a track that's my personal favorite track out of this whole post, and it's also one that I'm sure 50% of you will hate and 50% of you will love. Gessafelstein's recent release, Hatred, is a monstrous, almost diabolical techno track that practically jumps out of the speakers at you and compels you in some alien language to dance like a total loon. Gessafelstein has been slowly building a reputation around his refreshing and original approach to pounding techno music, and recently he's received lots of attention from big name djs all across the spectrum and rightfully so. Turn your speakers up to full volume and blast this song to understand why. [Beatport Release] Gesaffelstein - Hatred (Original Mix)
On the more mainstream club side of things, the new Afrojack and David Guetta track, Sweat, is a total bomb and it shows a return to form for Guetta, who at one point before becoming the face for mainstream cheesy sounding house music was actually a moderately respectable forward thinking producer who, among other things, helped pioneer and push the dutch sound behind the scenes that would later go on to achieve widespread fame through artists like Afrojack and Chuckie. 'Sweat' features an almost irresistible panty-dropping vocal sample and a perfectly executed combination of big room progressive house with dutch-flavored pulsing beats that make it perfect for the sole purpose of demolishing huge crowds. Possible summer anthem? I think so. [Beatport Release] David Guetta & Snoop Dogg - Sweat (Afrojack & David Guetta Dub Mix)
DJ Mehdi cranks the funk up to 11 on this remix of The Krays (a collaboration between Brodinski and Yusek). It's been stuck on repeat on my ipod for days recently, probably because it's the perfect compliment to the sun soaked days and bodacious babes that are becoming increasingly common as we delve further into the summer months (I'm sorry, for some reason I felt compelled to quote Spicoli right there). Can you say jaaaammmmm? [Beatport Release] The Krays feat. Ebony Bones - We're Ready When You Are (DJ Mehdi Remix)
Even a couple years after its release, Lemonade by Boys Noize & Erol Alkan is still one of my favorite tracks across any genre for the raw, creative, and authentic-feeling energy that seems to burst through every facet of the song. There have been few to no attempts to remix it, probably because the original is so flawless in and of itself. With that said, my good friend slash producer extraordinaire, Ekstra, has managed to take Lemonade to a new echelon of energy and power that I'm sure even Boys Noize himself would find impressive. He keeps all of the elements intact that make the original so loveable and awesome, while managing at the same time to give the track a fresh feel, one that's techier and harder hitting than the original. Ever since he sent me a copy, this track has been a staple in my dj sets for its pure energy and awesome reglossing of a classic. Grab it below and see why I think Ekstra is one of the most underrated producers out there right now. Mark my words, this kids gonna blow up. Boys Noize & Erol Alkan - Lemonade (Ekstra Remix)
We've been pouring a lot of love on British producer Lone recently, but not without good reason. The dude has been churning out musically gorgeous and unique house at a prolific and impressive pace. This new remix of the Chilly Gonzales track Knight Moves is a serene, elegant song that sews together a beautiful acoustic piano melody with tribal drums, a reoccurring sample that seems to be birds chirping in a tropical jungle, and various ambient synths to form a truly stunning piece of music. It's a further exploration and reaffirmation of the sound that Lone continues to pioneer on his own, and a perfect example of why he might be one of the most forward thinking producers around at the moment. [Beatport Release] Gonzales - Knight Moves (Lone remix)
Last, but most certainly not least, comes a track that I first heard amidst an excellent dj set by detroit wunderkid/enigma Seth Troxler, and later found out its name when Brodinski put it on his facebook page declaring it one of his favorite tracks. If support from artists as different and equally awesome as Troxler and Brodinski hasn't convinced you yet, consider that Resident Advisor declared it "a song so damn catchy it obliterates any questions about where it came from, who it might be for and why those things might matter." Forward Motion by Hot Natured is a true house track that is pure goodness any way you slice it. Check it below, but if it ends up stuck in your head for the next week don't say I didn't tell you so. Hot Natured - Forward Motion (Original Mix)
One of my favorite up-and-coming groups, Botnek, released their newest EP for free this morning on soundcloud. A) that was really cool of them B) that was even cooler of them because the EP is actually really, really bomb. Check out both the tracks off the EP below, and be sure to head over to their soundcloud for even more good listening. Botnek - Dozer (Original Mix)
Kaskade has been playing his remix of Skrillex's Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites in almost all of his sets recently (including at Ultra) and the response across the board has been pretty phenomenal. It makes sense, since I can see how Kaskade's uplifting style would blend perfectly with Skrillex's heavier edge, but unfortunately the song hasn't been released yet and it doesn't have a release date slated for any time soon. Lucky for you guys, Bright & Shiny has got managed to get our hands on a pretty solid quality copy of it that should hold you over until the official release.. Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Kaskade Remix)
Yo dudes, sorry for the lack of prime tunage flow over the past couple days. But we're proud to announce that Bright & Shiny has arrived in Miami and we're fully prepared to wreak havoc and cover all aspects of the next couple days, including the best of the action at Ultra Music Festival. Be sure to follow our up-to-the-minute coverage of all things ridiculously Miami on our twitter (@Br1ghtShiny) and stick around for a full on review of the festival itself.
Super Prime Tunes The Calvin Harris single in particular has been really stuck in our heads. Keep it chillin'.
I won't waste your time with a lot of words. I'm on spring break and I'm stoked. There's been a crazy amount of good music coming out recently, and every one of these songs is absolutely dirty. You're welcome.
We'll start things out at a bit of a slower pace here. This Kaskade remix of J Boogie's Dub Science doesn't sound like the typical big room progressive Kaskade you're probably used to hearing. It's more like a hearkening back to his roots with the San Francisco based lounge-house label Om Records, where he used to make some seriously chilled out tunes. This sexy downtempo effort is reminiscent of that older stuff, except for it's more refined and shows hes clearly still growing as an artist almost 15 years later. Bump this one drinking mojitos poolside. J Boogie's Dub Science - Raining (Kaskade Remix)
Sticky K's long awaited Prince of Persia EP came out on itunes the other day, with the full release on beatport set for march 22nd, and it's absolutely MASSIVE. This sounds like what would be played at some futuristic desert rave outside the pyramids in egypt or something. Check out the 192 below, but be sure to grab the high quality on Itunes now or beatport next week. Also, be on the lookout for our interview with the Californian youngster himself coming later this week. Sticky K - Prince of Persia (Original Mix)
I just stumbled across this progressive BOMB by 24 year old Norwegian Funkin Matt today and its a huge high energy beast that's been featured in sets by everyone from Laidback Luke to Bart B More recently. Be sure to grab the release on matt's own label Fjordin. Don't miss out on this one. Funkin Matt - Anywhere (Original Mix)
Off of the Miami Noize 2 compilation, which came out earlier this month on Boys Noize Records, this Strip Steve original is a maddeningly catchy house stomper. The song is centered around an awesome jumbled up synth/piano-stab melody that pulses along with an upbeat, relentless sense of purpose (i.e. makes you want to dance). Be sure to grab the Miami Noize compilation off beatport, as it's stacked from top to bottom with some really quality tracks. Strip Steve - The Freaks (Original Mix)
The new Dillon Francis Westside EP, out now on Mad Decent, is completely outrageous. It features a blend of tribal-sounding dancehall music that sounds reminiscent of Portugal's J-Wow in a lot of ways and demonstrates that Francis is definitely one of the most talented young artists emerging on the scene right now. Check out two of the tracks below, but be sure to grab the whole EP since it's full of a bunch of other awesome tracks including a good moombahton collaboration with DC's own Dave Nada. Diplo & Dillon Francis - Que Que feat Maluca (Original Mix)
This comes off of Brodinski's Best of Everything vol 2 unofficial compilation, which was a project where he asked his various favorite producers to remix random rap/r&b songs. Djedjotronic completely kills it here, twisting this Young Money track around and making it into a crazily funky and futuristic hip-hop jam. Young Money - Bedrock (Djedjotronic Remix)
Steve Aoki really impresses on this new Klaxons remix, showing that he's equally adept at making beautiful melody-driven house as he is at pumping out crazy party anthems or running his label Dim Mak. Speaking of which, if you're in Miami during Ultra be sure to check out the Dim Mak afterparty on friday, the lineup is stacked, we'll definitely be making an appearance. Klaxons - Echoes (Steve Aoki Remix)
This new rework by Erol Alkan is completely gorgeous and shows why he's considered one of the most respected producers in the game, cause this is hardly the average hard-hitting house he's normally affiliated with. This and the MGMT rework he did a while ago are two of my favorite pieces by him, maybe this is signalling a new, more acoustic direction for him? Either way, this one is awesome. Connan Mockasin - Forever Dolphin Love (Erol Alkan Rework)
It's finals week, and you know what that means! Life fuckin' sucks and I've got very little time to allot to blogging. So instead of boring you with my normal nonsense, I'm going to share with you my studying playlist. Some old, some brand-spanking new, all ideal (at least, for my malformed brain) for studying to. So plug in, sit forward, and study your face off to these beats.
Massive big room anthems are becoming a regular thing for Kaskade. Following up on a 2010 that was nothing short of collosal, his first release of 2011, a remix of Late Night Alumni's single It's Not Happening, shows him poised to take things even bigger this year. Aside from his solo stuff, Kaskade's melodic house group, Late Night Alumni, has their first scheduled album, Haunted coming out sometime early this year. This is a remix of their first single off the album, and its got all of the incredible vocals we've come to expect from the alumni perfectly blended with the signature huge kaskade sound. In other words, it's a floor-crushing big room monster, and you don't want to miss it. Late Night Alumni - It's Not Happening (Kaskade Remix)
Chicago Born, San-Fran based, American DJ/Producer extraordinaire Ryan Raddon, better known as Kaskade, has been tearing it up for almost a decade now, defining and crafting a unique sound that's unlike anything out there. His older productions are more in the realm of downtempo, warm, lounge-house, but most people know him for the uplifting progressive sound that he's pioneered over the past few years. His roots seem like a deviation from the big-room sound that he's been associated with recently, but the reality is they explain exactly what's enabled him to be so successful. His lounge-house origins come through in his newer productions by adding a warmth that you don't normally get with the often all-too formulaic progressive house sound. It's like progressive house with soul, and it's absolutely wonderful.
His exploits don't stop there though, he's also part of an awesome collective by the name of Late Night Alumni, who, as the name implies, make just about the best late night music you'll find anywhere. After checking out his facebook page, I found that he's been doing something really awesome recently, which is releasing all sorts of gems from his collection that otherwise would've never made it out into the public. Here are some of these previously unreleased masterpieces, as well as some classic Kaskade tracks and some really great stuff by the Late Night Alumni that you won't want to miss. Kaskade on Beatport
Late Night Alumni
Like I said before, I don't think there's any better music out there for those special late night occasions when you get to kick back with some close friends and just relax and appreciate life. Something about Becky Jean Williams' silky smooth vocals over the elegant beats of Kaskade & co. really makes these guys irresistible. They haven't gotten nearly as much attention as they deserve though, so be sure to show them some love and buy some of their tracks off of beatport here. Also keep an eye out for their forthcoming album, Haunted.
Another awesome giveaway, this one is a downtempo gem that's apparently a cover of an obscure christmas song, so grab it and get in the festive spirit. Late Night Alumni & Kaskade - Jesu Parvale
This can be a super stressful time of the year for most people; if you're a student you're probably mired in loads of work for exams, and if you have a job you're probably loaded with end-of-the-year stuff to do. So, today I have a special treat for you. All of the songs here have one function: they're really, really relaxing. This is my go-to playlist for whenever I'm trying to kick back and unwind a bit, so I hope you appreciate it and that it helps you out.
Another friday at college. If your weekend is shaping up to be anywhere near as fun as mine, then you'll probably need the right playlist to get you through it. Well you're in luck, because I just so happen to have the perfect combination of songs to keep you going from now till sunday morning. You'll probably want to consider some sleep after then though.
This first one is by no means a new song, but it's been on a lot of my playlists recently and I really like it. It's off of a free Gucci Mane/Diplo mixtape that came out a couple months ago called Diplo Presents: Free Gucci (The Best of The Cold War Mixtapes). Yes, what you're about to listen to is Gucci Mane over ATB. Brilliant
We're a little bit late on posting TAI's Beatdown EP, but if you don't have it already grab it here, because it's got a bunch of great remixes from Bright & Shiny favorites such as Audiofun and Gtronic.
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Nocturnal Festival in the southern California desert. Here's a breakdown of some of my favorite acts, as well as some of the sick bangers that crushed and captivated the ~60,000 ravers in attendance.
Dada Life Dada Life completely stole the show. I've been an avid fan of the Dada sound for a long time now, but I'd never been fortunate enough to see them live. The crazy Swedes traversed between some of their oldest and newest productions to sew together a powerful, raw, and simply dada-licious set. It was truly something to behold. Highlight: towards the end of their set, they whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a relentlessly long build up, only to start throwing massive inflatable bananas and champagne bottles (you can see one in the middle of the picture above) into the crowd at the drop of their epic remix of Benny Bennassi's Satisfaction. I haven't seen a crowd go bonkers like that in a long time.
Brand New Dada They premiered their brand new remix of Hello by Martin Solveig and Dragonette, which could very well be the best Dada Life song to date. Props to Dj Roof-E for tipping me off ahead of time that they were gonna do it. A preview of the track is below, and I've also posted the original as well as a dirty dutch remix to hold you over until this monster of a track gets released.
Steve Angello One of the three members of the house uber-group Swedish House Mafia, Steve Angello has been a Bright & Shiny favorite for quite some time now. His productions are in a league of their own with their flawless precision and monster electro sound, so I knew that I was in for a treat when he took over the decks on Saturday. His 2 hour set was marked by a superb mix of Swedish House Mafia mega-hits and underground electro bangers.
Highlight: for me personally, the highlight was meeting him briefly after his set since he's one of my idols. But from a musical standpoint, I'd have to say that the highlight was the last song of the set, the classic Show Me Love. This is a song that no matter how many times I hear it, it always seems to get to me, because in many ways it's one of the underlying inspirations for this blog. Show Me Love became our unofficial anthem for Ultra 2010, which was an experience that sent me, Sir Real, and Patrick down our path to electro-house addiction, so it'll always hold a special place in my heart. Angello was fantastic.
Bingo Players The Bingo Players' unique take on dutch house has intrigued me ever since I first heard one of their tracks. While they still embody the typical Dutch sound, they stray from the stylings of their contemporaries such as Chuckie and Afrojack by stripping down the Dirty Dutch formula until it's left with the bare essentials. The result is a totally unique sonic experience that's both highly danceable and borderline hypnotic. Go see these dudes if you ever get the chance.
Highlight: the song Devotion. I can't even explain how wonderful this song sounds when it's pulsing out of 30-foot-tall speakers. Tribal and gorgeous.
