Carlos Serrano has been killing it for years, putting out mashup after remix, all quality. My first favorite of his was a mashup of Adele & Daft Punk that is linked below tonight’s track. Kanye & Smith are definitely not sounds I thought would go together but Serrano proves he knows what he’s doing once again. The mashup is soothing even with Kanye thrashing lyrically as he does. Carlos Serrano really does need way more attention than he’s getting. He creates these almost symphonic jams that really hit and has been doing so for a while. Here’s to hoping this soulful mashup gets some more press than I can give it. Check it out, and his previous tune below.
Tag Archives: Midnight Music
Midnight Music: Willow Smith ft. SZA – 9 (LMC Remix)
Willow has done slightly better creatively than Jaden as of late. While The Karate Kid remake remains wonderful, Jaden’s twitterstream is…messy, to say the least. Willow seems to have done a little bit better, with her soulful, respectful music career getting off to a great start. This remix from a young kiwi by the name of Liam Mcalister. This is a smooth remix that definitely makes me want to listen to both Willow and Liam. What a proper remix should inspire of course. Let it swish around and see that you can use trap for the forces of good as well as evil. (via Fresh New Tracks)
Midnight Music: Current Value – Exposure [Trance & Bass]
I don’t get to feature this genre of music very often, as it’s just so damn rare. Current Value is one of the artists that’s caught my attention really giving it a try. Trance & Bass, when done properly, brings together the chords & chromatic builds that you love trance for, at the 80/160 tempos that you love Drum & Bass for. When it’s done poorly, it’s utter garbage, but when a proper DJ gives it a try, backed by a decent label, magic can happen. We have that here in Current Value’s Exposure release. Pick this up on Beatport here. The rest of the offering may be a little intense for some, but I find the punchy, rambling beat that Current Value brings to Exposure, combined with the menacing bass, makes for a rowdy track good for any soccer riot pregame. Hit up Subsistenz as well if you’re into this sort of thing, and don’t forget your gas mask!
Midnight Music: Chrome Sparks – The Meaning Of Love [Indie/Bass]
If you missed my Glitch Mob, Chrome Sparks & M Machine review, here’s a little taste of what the kids from Brooklyn that make up Chrome Sparks are capable of. This is off of a neat little EP they dropped called Goddess, onthe future classic label. The indietronica vibes are strong on this one, while they keep it delightfully ethereal. I think this kind of feeling will find a great home in a more cinematic setting, especially as film continues to incorporate Brooklyn sounds into (hopefully) the burgeoning Brooklyn film industry. 4min 20 sec in the vibe fattens out and provides some interesting synth that borders on psy without getting too crazy. A great little tune start to finish, and makes me even more excited for them to get back to doing shows along the L line.
Midnight Music: Omar LinX – Dosey Doe (prod. by Pro Logic & Zeds Dead) [Hip Hop Bass]
We’re getting closer. This Song Is Sick tipped me off to the next level of hip hop & bass fusion. We’ve been making baby steps towards fusing the two exceptionally different genres since the late 90’s. While some of the attempts have been awful (I’m looking at you Tiesto & Three Six Mafia, don’t think we’ve forgotten), this is one of the better offerings I’ve heard this year. Omar Linx isn’t too fast, smart, and Pro Logic & Zeds Dead producing this allows for a powerful Future Hip Hop sound. The lyrical work keeps pace with the bass without ever getting too hard, too gangsta or crazy for the beat, and a good time is had by all.
Midnight Music: Virtual Riot – We’re Not Alone (Cybin Quest Remix) [Synth Bass]
Remix contests are one of the best things that have come out of broadband & global DJ culture. Every time, some ridiculous unknown producer comes out of the invisible internet to put a previously incomprehensible spin on a tune. Virtual Riot does some amazing work, that’s hard to top, but it looks like it’s happened. I know that sometimes it’s hard to listen to a lot of more potent synthy stuff, because a lot of the time, even though the sound that was created “sounds” cool, it’s not used well, and the track is boring. This is definitively not the case with Cybin Quest. This DC native dropped a potent remix of We’re Not Alone last month that I’m just now able to give the attention it properly deserves. This is new sounds people, from an angle people were getting bored of. Everyone can drop bonkers Datsik/Exision/Baystep sounds, but very few can use them correctly. Listen, and enjoy. This kid’s got my attention, and he should probably have yours.
Midnight Music: Hundred’s New Music Video Of An ALLE FARBEN Tune Is Amazing.
This video seems to be one of the first true heirs to the triumph that was The Chemical Brothers music video for Star Guitar (linked below). I think this is on a train in China, but for the life of me I couldn’t tell you with any certainty (10 points to anyone who can comment ID’ing the area). The twee, indie vocals are put on top of a fun ambient midtempo melody. This helps frame the insane visuals that were captured by whoever has an insanely cool daily commute. This is a fun tune I wouldn’t have checked out otherwise so make sure to hit the video & their Soundcloud. (via Stoney Roads)
Midnight Music: BANKS – Drowning (Stwo Remix) [Moody Vocal Indie Gold]
“You’re so bold when you’re watching me moan.”
This smooth, sexy, chilled out reworking of Drowning by BANKS showcases exactly what about Stwo, coming out of Paris, excites me so. There’s a morose, but sly & alluring sound coming from this track, and Lorde fans will enjoy the content & backend on this one as well. It’s something that pop could very well absorb. This kind of indie sound, mixing soulful vocals and the future bass sound I drool over is still under-represented in the industry currently, especially because it’s not so good at driving mainstage traffic. However, this kind of mood music is perfect for lounges, movie soundtracks and other environments less conducive to raging. I don’t mean to be glib, because as the EDM bubble finally oversaturates, people are going to want music for doing things other than fist pumping. Cuddle beats for the win, as it were.
Midnight Music: Katy Perry – California Gurls (Matt DiMona Remix) [Tropical House]
Since it was officially 40ish degrees this weekend here in NYC, here’s some tropical house from Matt DiMona to remind you of the 3 month complain-fest your friends had over the summer about the heat. The heavily-modified vocal work is surprisingly effective, especially when Snoop Dogg is made to sound like a kidnapper in an action flick. This is one of the better attempts at convincing me to pay attention to Katy Perry, as the sun-drenched vibes radiating from this mix are undeniable. DiMona does some good work, it’s a Free Download, and hat tip to David Rishty who tipped me off to the track. (via EDMTunes)
Midnight Music: Xanwow – Sonsopkoms (Original Mix) [Driving Progressive]
The creator of this track is 14 years old. Fourteen. I want that to sink in. I want you to think back to what you were doing in 7th grade. Were you releasing retail-grade progressive? Cause I sure as hell wasn’t. I think I had a vague understanding of hip hop and Green Day at that point. Now the kids are creating anthem tracks that I would listen to at essentially any party. This kid has dropped a 6min opus with some severely pleasing vibes. He takes his time, already pushing the length of tunes back into a great place. If you remember tracks longer than 6 minutes, you know what I’m talking about. Let’s get some ears on this kid’s stuff because his sound deserves as wide of a base as possible. If we could get the fame Martin Garrix has for this one, I’d be a happy man. (via Fresh New Tracks)
Terry Gotham 