Category Archives: Midnight Music

Midweek Music: Jerome Blaze, Xavier Dunn, Bonobo, Dusky & Drake!

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As summer turns to fall, so does the music spectrum & sonic landscape. Here for you, a couple of the best tracks that I thought transitioned from the shiny, sun-drenched vibe of the last 3 months, to the inevitable harvest & apple picking feels. Don’t worry, no pumpkin spice beats here, I promise.

Jerome Blaze is one of those producers I’d totally miss if it wasn’t for Stoney Roads. These masters of the Australian & NZ scene are crucial and if you’re not following them, you need to. This kind of pick up is one that will change your whole day. Heartbeat is a track that gives people hope for the future. The high energy proglectro is not to be missed. There’s a vibe in him we haven’t heard since before the Swedish Fish Mafia discovered cocaine. Don’t skip this one, it’ll make your day better, in a way we’ve not experienced since early Avicii. Yes, I went there. Hit it.

Someone needs to give Xavier Dunn a fucking medal. This is the best retro/vintage cover ever. I’m serious. In the 2-3 decades of retro covers, this is the best one that’s ever been conceived of and executed. Go ahead and play it for the old ladies in your office, or anyone who has a lady boner for Travolta/hard on for Olivia Newton John. I almost want to drop it on Webster Hall just to see how many of the kids actually recognize what they’re listening to. I say it every time I bring up Fresh New Tracks, but V-Man needs a raise.

Back in the realm of non-ironic covers & remixes, Bonobo continues to absolutely kill it. This rework of a George FitzGerald original continues to drive home the point that you do not fuck with Bonobo. The tune glides along, in a way that you’d only expect from Bonobo. It’s a relaxed but exceptionally well-produced Odyssey that doesn’t rush, but hits every mark it plans for. No beat out of place, or sound that wasn’t specifically put there. It’s these kinds of tracks that give me hope. This is some certified hipster shit, so make sure to push up your glasses while talking about it over non-cheap, locally sourced whiskey.

This one took me by surprise. Tesher comes out of nowhere with this absolutely huge mashup of Florence + The Machine & Drake. You heard me right. Delilah and Back 2 Back fuse in a way I could not have forseen if you described it to me after putting LSD in my drink. This absolutely needs to be heard to be believed because it is larger than life. I had no idea these two tracks could mash together as well as they do, and I heavily recommend it for you hip pop/top 40 DJs out there. On your standard Irish Bar dance floor, this will destroy.


Ending this update out with some new hotness from Global Communication. That’s the first time this moniker has been used since 1997. That’s right, you’re getting music from someone who was in the game just about 20 years ago. This remix has eight minutes of almost any genre you could look for at the moment. With a half dozen genres of music being represented and several breaks/beat builds to speak of, I don’t even want to keep wasting your time with you reading this. Hit play & go about your day citizen!

Midweek Music: Global Edition ft. Stromae, Maitre Gims & Saad Lamjarred!

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Been doing a little traveling recently and one of my favorite things to do when I travel is listen to local “Hits.” Sometimes it’s the same crap you hear on every radio station in the USA, but occasionally you come across stuff you would never hear. So here are three of the dopest non-English tunes I’ve heard in a while!

Stromae is incredible. I’ve not been following him as closely as I should have, so this track slipped under my radar. The lyrics are translated, which is super important because they’re absolutely crucial. Stromae tells the story of our lives being carried away by social media, and how followers become more important than connection. The animation is top notch as is the production on the song. Put this into your face ASAP and check his most recent video here!

Maitre Gims is a perfect example of how good a poppy dance track can be with zero lyrical recognition. This is a peppy, summery tune that stands on its own, with the video showing the star balling, but balling in the Middle East. If I had a choice between watching this or another Flo Rida track where he’s stunting on some bullshit for the millionth time, I think you know which one I’d choose.

 Saad Lamjarred is a baller. There is no other way to describe the utterly amazing style, fashion, bass & shot choices in this video. I have no idea what they’re saying, but I can tell that Saad gets all the ladies, his boys can break dance and the old dude got some Beats headphones. This is the perfect example of a culture modernizing and entering the global worldbeat stream. Honestly, this track wouldn’t be out of place in a diplo set. Someone tell Mad Decent, they need to pick this guy up.

Rudimental’s New Clip On The Global Refugee Crisis Is Incredible!

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Rudimental – I Will For Love ft. Will Heard

I love Rudimental. I yell about how dope they are every chance I get. But this video really does blow the rest of their work away. As the immigration debate in America reaches white hot levels of racism & hatred, and the Syrian refugee crisis floods Europe with people just trying to escape Assad the madman, Rudimental has done it again. I don’t usually get into politics on this blog, but this is one of the most compelling 5 minutes of cinematic music I’ve seen in a very long time.

There are no words to describe the humanizing force that this video could have if it was seen by the greater world. Please, take the time to watch it and to remember that the people you spit on & call illegal immigrants are running for their lives sometimes. Other times they’re simply trying to build a better life for their families. I Will For Love features the impressive vocal work of Will Heard and the video is a heart-wrenching portrayal of the dangerous journey across the Mexican-American border. See everyone at Webster Hall on the 29th for their latest live show.

Hey Trump, this family full of rapists & drug dealers too?

Midweek Music: SAFIA, EDEN, GRiZ, Lemaitre & Mos Def!

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summerLabor Day is Sunday ladies & gentlemen. How’s it feeling? Any last adventures? Crazy nights to spend out? Here’s five tracks to bomp as September rises.  SAFIA is so good. This trio makes some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard, and I am terribly mad they are thousands of miles from my shores. This soothing, soulful indietronica track does work and makes me think of that 40min just before the sunset. Great job SAFIA, you’ve got so much more to show us.
EDEN hit it out of the park on this one. The vocals on this are stupendous, with Leah Kelly joining in to push it to the next level. This is track 2 on a 9 track EP that’s surprisingly good from someone I’d never heard from until they showed up on my feed. I highly recommend Nocturne by him as well. HIGHLY.
 GRiZ has become the institution that we all knew he could be. Feelin’ High is quintessential electro soul that proves just how established the genre has become. When you’ve got so many haters you drop a track reminding people to leave em behind, you know you’ve done something right.
Lemaitre takes a tune from Madeon and cranks it up a couple of notches. The Bubblegum electro feel here is the quick pick me up we all need on this September Wednesday. The energy is infectious, with the vocal work from Passion Pit adding to the delight. It’s a great remix, taken from Madeon’s excellent source material. Definitely dance around in your chair kind of stuff!
 Last, but certainly not least, the new hotness from Mos Def. He’s rapping under his old name, giving all the upstarts a reminder why he’s one of the undisputed kings of flow. There is a lot to dive into here, so I’m just going to say that you probably need to listen to it multiple times to pick up on all the lyrical genius he’s crammed into the 3:40. This is his first in years, so don’t miss this, your hip hop brain will thank you.

Midweek Music: DZZ, Mobil, Win & Woo, The Kairi Collective & Priscilla Sharp

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summer New week, more music! One classic, couple newbies, all quality & no bullshit. Wide variety this week, so let’s get into it!  DZZ came out of nowhere on this one. With a premiere on Nest HQ this week, DZZ is going places. This tune is at once chippy, future and melancholy. The production values are off the charts on this & the drippingly synthetic vocals are stupendous. This is my sleeper hit for the week, so get into the whole EP here.

Collectives are so hot right now. The Kairi Collective dropped this release and I couldn’t be happier that they did. This chilled vibe is unmistakeable. The glitchy, dubsteppy sounds work perfectly with the classical violin, piano and shifting chords. Really looking forward to where Pensees, Quok & Jan Amit are going with this as this effort is tremendous.

 I’m so glad Tropical has turned into an element of music production, instead of a genre of music. Just like dubstep before it, people are realizing that steel drums & sexy sax do not a song make. You still need a hook and possibly some catchy lyrics. Win & Woo have a great little ditty here, and have a soaring mainstage career in front of them as long as they do the work.

This one takes a minute to get going, but you want to give it the time it deserves. Like a girl who knows what she wants, this track takes its time and really explores a sound that’s both future & 90’s vintage. I don’t know how to describe this, except maybe if Cyndi Lauper did some K & then took some allergy meds. And I mean that in the best possible way. It’s like if The Eurythmics had a Macbook to produce on. Trust me, you want to hear this. Priscilla Sharp knows what she’s doing so don’t disappoint her.

Classic trance vibe right here, and it’s from 2013. This really doesn’t need any further introduction besides it being euphoric trance that needs to be played on high volume. Mobil does amazing work here, so show it some love. And if someone can clue me into where I can get more full-length mixes of this style of trance, hit up the comments.

Midweek Music: Seven Lions, Kasbo, REZZ, Wax Motif & Louis Futon

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summerAugust is almost done! Have you done all the brunch into day drinking & Sunday night partying you needed to get done before September arrives? Never try and put Seven Lions in a box again. After many blogs have tried to pigeonhole him as a dubstep or hard edged DJ, he pushes out shimmering sunshine melodic house for your patio drinking pleasure. Off Casablanca Records, this tune must have Vitamin C in it, with Lights lending her stellar vocal stylings to the track. Great little gem for your midweek slump.
Wax Motif has been making waves slowly, burbling up from the depths of Soundcloud & YouTube music channels. This is his debut release on Mad Decent, so you know that it’s going to be a massive banger. The R&B infused beats fuse with the Mad Decent party vibe really well on this, so I hope someone takes notice and starts booking this cinematic trap sound out into more festivals. I think it could do quite well with a greater audience, so let me know if you agree in the comments of course. (via This Song Is Sick)
KASBO is a name you should know by now, as I’ve mentioned him more than once around these parts.  The urgent progressive vibe combined with the future style we’ve grown to love from him works perfectly here. Out on Monstercat, the track shines & deserves your actual cash. (Via Stoney Roads) REZZ is back! The heir apparent to Gesaffelstein, there are very few doing techno the way she is, and I couldn’t be more proud of her earning a Nest HQ release. Getting a single on Skrillex’s label is big, and she should be very proud of herself. We certainly are! This techno is not your friend. Though REZZ might be, if you ask nicely.
I freaking love Louis Futon. I think he’s got the perfect vibe for this era. Like, his soothing, but anthemic future sound probably couldn’t have worked in 2010, or even 2013. But right now, it’s exactly what I need in my remix work. He’s killing it out there these days, and his skills are in full effect 3min in. This is my midweek jam right here, and it’ll be yours by the time the track is over.

Midweek Music: Collin McLoughlin, Tarro, Blackmill & More!

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summerAnother week, another Midweek Music! This week we’re mixing it up again, bringing you highlights from a couple of different genres. Mostly new, but one classic favorite of mine.

So, this is wonderful. I’d been wondering where my favorite multi-genre artist had gone. Collin McLoughlin is one of the most versatile & talented producers out there right now. To prove it, he put the decks & launchpad controller away, sat down with a guitar and knocked out a fantastic cover of Trap Queen. You heard me right. The Fetty Wap hit has been reworked, with Collin’s honey voice  not only elucidates lyrics I never actually understood listening to the original, but is also a really legit cover. Can’t wait to hear the dance remix & some more general awesome from Collin. Go encourage him on Twitter. (via Fresh New Tracks)
Tarro, brought to us by MrSuicideSheep, serves up some wavy chill trap for your day. This is total hammock music. Tarro’s remix of IDFC by Blackbear works on a couple of levels. It’s relaxed, true to itself, and not trying to prove anything. Great work and this kid’s definitely got my attention now.
Feint‘s back with something incredible. I’ve come to love the inventive and heart-amplifying drum & bass that Feint seems to brush off his shoulders. There’s an effortlessness to this that makes me want to go fly a kite this weekend. It makes me hopeful for a better world. Yes, it’s that good.
Blackmill is finally back! He was a legend 3 years ago, for his unmatched melodic dubstep skills & he hasn’t missed a step. The ethereal, soaring melodic wobble vibe that he puts out makes you wonder when someone introduced Sigur Rios to Skrillex. It’s such an authentic, unique sound, that’s been copied, but never duplicated. Turn it on, sit back and let it wash over you.
This one is my favorite hard trance track ever. Seriously. I heard it in 2005 and nothing has come close to surpassing it. The hard house feel to it provides a level of brutality that you just can’t find in Trance anymore. This was back during the era where Sensation was actually 2 parties. Sensation White & Sensation Black. 3:40 provides the high water mark for electronic builds in the entirety of my listening history, with the break at 4:15 being what drops sound like in my fondest dreams. This is not for the faint of heart, or for people who think that trap remixes of Lean On “go hard.” This is one for the record books kids, blast it at high volume and watch those electrostep punters melt away.

See you next week!

Midweek Music: Chill With Haven, Unforseen & glo!

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summerYou’re going to like what’s up today. Especially if you’re a fan of the more meditative, less bro-infused beats of the chillstep, chilltrap & downtempo universe. Two of my favorite new acquisitions this season, Haven & glo, are here. There’s an original from unforseen, another artist on this tip. This is the opposite of the rampaging armies of EDM out there. Take a minute, sit, relax, breathe & enjoy.
This is my jam right here. Trap Nation picked it up,  you know it’s not like me to sing the praises of trap too loudly. This kind of shimmering chilled but massive vibe is where I think that genre needs to go, hard and fast. Haven proves his chops as a producer with impeccable timing and wonderful execution.
There really is so little like this out there. Haven & glo working together on this one, building a soundscape that shines through the clouds. A muzzled backbeat, soaring vocals and a tempo that never rushes. What more could you ask for?
This, actually. Haven teamed up with glo again recently and this track is the softest fire I’ve heard in years. The subtle intensity of the production almost overwhelms the chillness of the tune, but it never quite gets there.
A gorgeous piece in its minimalist build, sweeping vibe and entire lack of a beat. That’s right folks, there’s not one here. “i never meant for it to end like this” with a picture of driving away in the rain tells quite a story, as I bet a lot of these songs do. It’s wistful & never meanders into hatred or love. Just a light, sad grey. Because it’s Wednesday right?
While I’ve been on the glo train for a while, the addition of Trap Lord & the smooth melodic stylings of Madi Larson make for a gigantic trio. The track could find itself in a movie sequence, with Childish Gambino rapping over it, or just the soundtrack of my life as I walk through the hot summer nights.

Midweek Music: White Boys, MitiS, GRMM, Lookas, KSHMR & Vaski

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These Irish guys said they’d let me know when their new single was out and they came through. This is a funky, indie flavored track that really makes me want to go to the party this was filmed at. Excellent effort by White Boys, and I can’t wait to see where they go with this sound. Here’s to hoping they invite me to the next party. I’ll show up. Even if it’s in Dublin. That kind of scene is totally worth a hop across the pond for.

GRMM is an Australian stunner on Hegemon records. This future tune took me by surprise. It almost shimmers as it smooths along the avenue. Travolta Cool is such a clever title for a relaxed track like this. Now I’ll be following this dude around the internet like the weird, creepy sonic stalker I am.

MitiS is a force of nature. I don’t care if you’ve followed him for years like I have, or if this is the first time you’ve heard one of his tunes. His signature fusion of electro, progressive, trance & chillout make him an act to remember. I interviewed him way back when. Who knows if he even remembers now that he’s a big star. If you don’t know why, put Forever into your face.

This Song Is Sick debuted a stupendous chillstep track this weekend. KSHMR & Vaski collab with Francisca Hall for a lovely, edgy dubstep track that keeps it taut. This one is some new hotness that should be getting a lot of attention this week already.

 Lookas keeps things real, and I’m so glad to hear some originals from this guy after a string of dope remixes. This kind of anthem trap that gives you hope for the future and doesn’t remind me of white guys with dreadlocks at all. When it could be performed live with a drum line you know it’s dope.

Midweek Music: Avicii, Ferry Corsten, Wyclef Jean, Delta Heavy & More!

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Between July 4th & Labor Day, people check blogs less, they vacation more & need tunes to move to. For the summer, instead of doing music at night, I’ve decided to try something different. I’m going to try and put together a weekly set of tracks, most new, but the occasional oldie/goodie, for you, my faithful readers. Let me know if it’s a good idea.  Ferry Corsten remains one of my most favorite DJs, though he rarely gets to spin the music I love him for. Even though when he headlines mainstages, he does a lot of electro house & progressive, in my mind, he will always be a pure trance DJ. With this release and his recent new Gouryella track, it’s as if he has been reading my mind. The break at 3:19 is one of the best in the world and has been for years. This is a staple in his sets across Europe, but I’ve definitely been privileged enough to hear it on our shores on more than one occasion.  Mixmag premiered one of the better remixes of Giorgio Moroder’s new track “74 is the new 24.” Yes, that’s actually the name of the track, he’s really getting down and funky at 74. The tune has some interesting little guitars and some “I clearly listen to Daft Punk” vocoding effects which are totally welcome. It’s got a vintage, funky feel, while keeping the energy up in a 90’s dance kind of way. Kris Menace & Lifelike have grabbed my attention with this track, so y’all should keep an eye on them with me.
 Avicii is back, and he brought Wyclef Jean & Matisyahu with him. It’s a strange departure for Avicii and I wonder who wanted this deal to come together most out of the trio. Matisyahu & Wyclef Jean drop perfectly capable/dope rhymes, and the reggae vibes on this are strong. Avicii brings in the bluegrass & country influences from his previous work, as you can hear in the builds and lead up to the chorus. This is definitely a step in a new direction so definitely let me know if it’s something you’re feeling.   Bringing the energy down entirely is Glo. This downtempo/chill artist has studied at the School of Burial and we’re all better for it. I cannot get enough of this kind of sound. Do not play this for people on drugs, but if you’re sad, you just got dumped, or if you’re just walking in the rain, this is your jam. I know it’s mine, and if you want more, check out glo’s album saknad here. The list of tracks is fantastic, and it will get you through.  Last but certainly not least, Delta Heavy‘s got a new jam that’s out July 17th. This is no bullshit Drum & Bass. Classic, perfect Delta Heavy, like only he can be. Delta Heavy is able to use female rock vocals in a way I don’t think anyone else in the space besides Flux Pavilion can touch. And now I want to see a Delta Heavy/Flux Pavilion b2b set.

That’s it folks, leave a comment if you liked this format & want to see it again, or if I should get back to a track a day. I live to serve.