Tag Archives: Midnight Music

Midnight Music: Mako – Ghosts (Part I & II) [Symphonic Bass]

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Part I - Ghosts

Mako kicked the door in & squatted in my head for an entire month last year, so I’m super pleased they’re starting to flex their production muscles. This pair of tracks straddle the line between anthem & symphonic interlude, walking the line with the confidence of a tightrope walker. They put out Part 1 a little while ago, and Part 2 is a punchy, anthem house rework of the cinematic opening. This is a tantalizing beginning to a much bigger sound I’m expecting from Mako and it leaves me wanting in such a big way. This focus on classical & more organic elements, straddling that synthetic sound is going to be huge, and the jam that Part 2 became leads me to get even more excited about where they’re going with it. You heard it here first, Mako 2015.  

Midnight Music: Izzard & Alicks – Looking Out With You (Strife II Remix) [Liquid DnB]

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Izzard & Alicks - Looking Out With You (Strife II Remix)Strife II has returned, rejoice & be glad! The crown prince of liquid (in my eyes anyway) released an opus clocking in well over seven minutes. This kind of sound is totally rare, but Strife II proves once again that he can do it like no other. The soulful, melodic chords & quiet piano progression are at the core of my favorite sub-genre in dnb. The smooth, emotional vibe glides across your awareness, packing a punch without jarring one’s senses. I am at a loss as to why this kid isn’t one of the biggest sounds coming out of the UK, but I’m going to keep yelling about him as long as I’m able. This is the future, or at least, I hope it is. I think it would lead to a better world, Wyld Stallions-style, but what do I know. Take a listen and tell me what you think.

Midnight Music: Dillon Francis – When We Were Young (Steve James Remix) [Prog Wonderful]

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Dillon Francis, Sultan + Ned Shepahrd - When We Were Young (Steve James Remix)I think the last couple of weeks have been pretty stressful for the country, with the heavy eating, family obligations and various protests/riots, so here’s something completely different. Steve James, the young upstart, is at it again. He took on the August hit from Dillon Francis, Sultan, Ned Shepard & Chain Gang of 1974, injecting his increasingly skilled, signature progressive sound into the banger. The tune is delightfully poppy, euphoric & frankly happy. I think we could all use it right now. Be kind, hug your loved ones, and treat people better than you think they deserve. Let the youth light the way, and show Steve James some love. He’s doing a show out in LA, supporting Kill Paris, so West Coast people, get the hell out there so you can say you were down with this kid’s sound before he rocks the mainstage at Beyond Wonderland in a couple of years.

Midnight Music: Blackstreet – No Diggity (Figgy Remix) [Fidget/House]

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Blackstreet - No Diggity (Figgy Remix)Tonight, I’m utterly thrilled to bring you a No Diggity remix. Anyone who had ears in the 90’s remembers Blackstreet. 2:19 is one of the most delightful teases I’ve heard in months. This remix, picked up by EDMTunes, is a huge one, that not only throws back Blackstreet in a deep & respectful way, but it also does what music has stopped doing. It teases the listener. The simple extension & manipulation of the break is something you have to fight to hear in NYC these days. Absolutely wonderful remix, that harkens back to the late 90’s both in hip hop & house at the same time. Expect to hear this in some of the deeper, smoother & sexier house/tech house parties here in the city. At least, if DJs know what they’re sitting on here. This NYC local producer has done some great work here, so show some love.

Midnight Music: Crooked Colours – Capricious (PACES Remix) [Tropical Trap]

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Crooked Colours - Capricious (Paces Remix)Is this what happens when tropical, trap & indie dance hang out? If so, I’m a fan. This track from Aussie artist Paces, is both bouncey & massive at the same time. The crooning coming in from Crooked Colours create a wistful, but energetic vibe. It’s effervescent enough that you’d be forgiven if you didn’t listen to the lyrics and missed out on the sadface topics entirely. The drop reminds us that trap can be massive without being abrasive. The steel drum remains throughout, anchoring the track in sunshine, even while the lyrics aren’t exactly positive. Great effort by PACES & can’t wait to see where they go next with this sound. (via Stoney Roads)

Midnight Music: Bondax ft. Ayah Marar – Dust Funk [Funky House]

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This is a match made in UK heaven. Bondax got my girl Ayah Marar to lead this new, sophisticated, funky sexy house track they’ve got out on their new Mix Album. While Ayah usually gets into some ravier, drum & bassier sounds, she’s still a Triple A vocalist that makes the back end Bondax comes through with wurk. For real girl, this is one of those “walk confidently in potent heels” kind of tracks that you associate with good looking people working/drinking/living in high rise buildings that have fancy floor to ceiling windows. It doesn’t get too crazy and the vocals stay where they need to stay, while an almost whipping around you like wind downtown. Dust Funk is a cool song that I hope to hear at cool parties. (via Fresh New Tracks)

Midnight Music: Fairchild – Stay Young (Midnight Mix)

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FAIRCHILD - Stay Young (Midnight Mix)I feel like tunes that sound like this wouldn’t have happened if music/band development didn’t happen exactly the way it did. This alt band from down under makes the best of so many influences. Rock, indie, lo-fi, EDM and a bunch of jam feels come together in a cinematic way. This really does make me hope there’s a One Tree Hill or Daria inspired network show that can pick up this mix to use at least a couple of times a season. The “triumph” vibe from it is strong, with the composition & synth chops to match. This is great work, with a great remix, Midnight, layering on top of it even more competence. (via Stoney Roads)

Midnight Music: Hybrid Minds – Summer Rain [Liquid]

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Hybrid Minds does wonderful, wonderful things when it comes to drum & bass. They consistently kill it in the liquid space, in a triumphant, symphonic way over and over. This track is no exception. The meditative kick drums & the bassline melt into the vocals that shine through the darkness. Summer Rain is another proof that Liquid can be bursting with feels as it were. It’s hard to describe how different this sounds comparable to what most people think of in their heads when you say “drum & bass” and I think that’s to the genre’s detriment. This is the stuff that people should be introducing the genre to their friends using, maybe saving the gas mask & camouflage hoodie music for a little later in their listening career. If you want to patronize the Hybrid Minds soundcloud instead of the Liquicity YouTube, that’s below as well. I’m all into this track, and since it’s from 2012, this officially counts as throwback thursday. Happy Turkey Day y’all, groove in your gluttony to this 😀

Midnight Music: SLUMBERJACK – Horus [Global Bass]

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SLUMBERJACK - HorusThis one seeps into your awareness, an Indian-infused Future Bass track with enough of a low-end punch to need no explanation. The composition is exquisite, and the broken beat structure melds with the global bass sound choices delightfully. It’s got this feel that makes you think it was an anthem coming out for a World Cup held in Mumbai. The tune is entirely too short, but it definitely explores the space it’s created masterfully. There’s a little Beats Antique here, a little Flashbulb and a lot of skill. SLUMBERJACK is definitely a name to watch out for, with this pair of Perth natives deserving your attention. So show some love and tell em Terry sent you.

Midnight Music: CAZZETTE – Blind Heart (Prince Fox Remix) [Future Wonderful]

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CAZZETTE - Blind Heart (Prince Fox Remix)Incredible & bravo to Prince Fox. This track is exactly where I want Trap to go as a genre. Vintage guitars reimagined with synths, hardcore vocals and a massive but smooth droop make me want to pregame parties listening to Mega Man. This remix solidifies my “Prince Fox is on Festival lineups 2015” hypothesis. Gotta give it to This Song Is Sick for the huge premiere on this one. This is a break out tune and trap producers need to study the hell out of this one. A fresh sound, one that moves away from gimmicky beats and dumb drops. I’m a huge fan of this developing and will actively yell into the internet as often as I can to make this thing happen. One listen and you’ll agree with me.