[17 To End ’17] Ninja Ash’s Best of the Year

Listen to the playlist on Spotify // Apple Music.

Nite Jewel‘s Real High, full of lush instrumentation and flawless percussion, is meant for late night listening–“Obsession” captivates with its sensual atmosphere.

Gabriel Garzón-Montano‘s unique take on soul made for one of the most captivating albums of the year. “Fruitflies” is an earworm of a track that tells a heartbreaking, deeply human story that needed to be heard in 2017.

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“Baybee” captures everything I love so much about Jay Som‘s 2017 debut Everybody Works–dreamy, expansive and larger-than-life.

Slowdive‘s first album back in over 2 decades is a transformative masterpiece and “Star Roving” exemplifies its beautiful vastness.

We might be a bit biased since we premiered his first track on TMN Radio earlier this year, but Still Woozy may be the artist I’m most excited for in 2017. “Cooks” displays just how much emotion and soul he pack into a quirky, playful tune.

“Floating By” was a song I simply couldn’t get out of my head in 2017. Its combination of irresistible percussion and hazy vibes make for a true smoker’s delight.

Smino and Ravyn Lenae‘s both display an unmatched level of vocal dexterity on “Glass Flows,” a track just as bouncy as it is soulful.

Considering they dropped three stellar albums in 2017, it was pretty much impossible to select just one song from Brockhampton. “Bleach,” full of twists and turns, both showcases their adventurous approach to hip-hop and their ability to translate vulnerabilities into empowerment.

The potency of Jay Z‘s “The Story of OJ” was second to none in 2017. Hearing a message like this from someone as successful and prominent as Hov underscores the remaining, blatant lack of racial equality in America.

Kendrick Lamar remained the undisputed king of rap music in 2017 but “Duckworth.” tells the true, gripping story of just how close we were to having no Kendrick Lamar at all.

Flower Boy saw Tyler, the Creator reach his potential in a beautiful and intimate way–not only is it full of flawless production but the Odd Future leader reached completely new levels of introspection. “November” is one of those songs you can listen to on repeat for hours.

If I had to pick just one, “Blue Train Lines” is probably my favorite song of the year. Between King Krule’s guttural, ominous vocals to Mount Kimbie’s slowly building production, it is an absolutely enveloping, emotional experience.

After hearing Jamie xx drop this in his Reykjavik Boiler Room set, I checked online daily for months awaiting its full release, which thankfully finally happened (unlike that “Shelter” remix I’m not sure we’ll ever get). Taking an already potent track, The xx’s mastermind producer built out an entrancing 6 minute sonic rollercoaster.

O’Flynn‘s “Tru Dancing” is a slice of disco-house perfection with a slow build that makes it even more sweet.

Soulwax x Jagwar Ma, not much else has to be said.

Bonobo crafted a unique kind of banger with “Bambro Koyo Ganda,” which is a heavy hitter on the dance floor that is perfectly assisted by Moroccan group Innov Gnawa‘s vocals and live instrumentation.

Yaeji was easily my breakout favorite artist of 2017. I love just about everything she does musically mixing in her ethereal vocals with a hip-house sound that oozes personality. “Raingurl” is a massive tune that truly broke her to the masses and its easy to hear why.

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[17 To End 2017] Ninja Clayton’s Best of the Year

A friend in the music industry told me a few years ago about a study that shows changes in musical tastes as you grow older. There comes a certain point where you shift the weight of your interest from discovering new music to revisiting music that meant something to you at different points in your life.

This year was that year for me. I don’t think I’ll ever go full-blown “you kids don’t understand good music” mode, but I did spend a good portion of my year looking back, rather than forward. Thrice, Strung Out, As I Lay Dying, Metallica (pre-Black album), Pantera, and countless other punk and metal acts filled my headphones, leaving little time for much discovery.

But, as much as I delved into songs from my past, my profession keeps me into up-and-coming acts, which continued to impress me throughout 2017. Here are my 17 favorites, in no particular order:

Martin Luke Brown – ‘Opalite’

I received an offer to premiere “Opalite” earlier this year. It was a no-brainer. I immidiately loved the juxstaposition between booming kick drums and raw, enchanting vocals. In fact, not only did Martin Luke Brown deliver one of my favorite songs, but he also became one of my new favorite artists.

Martin Luke Brown – ‘Into Yellow’

The artist so nice, I listed him twice. Holy, hell. ‘Into Yellow’ is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely one of the highlights from this past year. It calls on associations of other solo-vocalists like James Vincent McMorrow, James Blake, and Bon Iver. If I were you, I would definitely keep him on your ‘Artists to Watch’ lists in 2018.

Mat Hunsley – ‘Do You Need Me Near’

Mat Hunsley’s folky gem always has me longing for epic summer adventures in the mountains. His voice is powerful, dreamy, and soothing. It’s the perfect accompaniment to whatever warm weather activities lie ahead later this year. I just can’t wait to crack out this gem come May.

James Vincent McMorrow – ‘True Care’

JVM is one of my absolute favorite artists and will be till the end of time. To put it into perspective — my wife walked down the isle to ‘Cavalier.’ When I interviewed him and let him know, he dedicated it to us later at his show. ‘True Care’ is my favorite off his 2017 album offering. It’s raw, gorgeous, and showcases what everyone should know about him–he’s one of the voices of our generation.

Absofacto – ‘Light Outside’

I’ve been head over heels for Absofacto for years. It was an absolute pleasure to see him come roaring back with a stellar new tune. ‘Light Outside’ is absolutely worthy of you belting out each and every lyric as you drive to work. Take one listen and see for your self.

Someone – ‘Forget Forgive’

Someone delivered one of the most beautifully simplistic tunes from 2017. It’s very minimal, but offers a completely encompassing experience from start to finish.

Sam Dew – Runner

I first got turned on to Sam Dew with his Bill Wither’s cover. I would love to include that, but it’s a few years old, so I’ll opt to showcase another tune. ‘Runner’ is dubbed as R&B, but the heavy, distorted bassline guides it into the alternative realm, crossing genre lines with ease. It’s a fantastic tune and one that left a lasting impression on me.

Northern Faces – ‘Messin’ With Me’

Absolutely loved this indie rock jam from NY-based trio Northern Faces. With a big, bold, anthemic nature, I was immidiately hooked on ‘Messin’ With Me’ and could see this as a pivoting point for a huge 2018.

Moncrieff – ‘Symptoms’

Gritty, bluesy and soulful. This Londoner has plenty of attitude to share, and ‘Symptoms’ is the perfect embodiment of that edge. It’s raw and powerful, but still beautifully refined.

Vilde – Just Visiting

I wrote up a few tracks from Vilde this year. I love his unique tone and range and inventive instrumentation. It has such a unique air around it, one which I couldn’t shake throughout 2017. Keep your eyes peeled for more from this up-and-coming artist.

The War On Drugs – ‘Pain’

I didn’t get into many albums this year, but The War on Drugs‘ A Deeper Understanding made an impact on me this year. It was a body of work that shimmered with reflections with the likes of Dylan and Springsteen. Fantastic listening experience, through and through, with ‘Pain’ leading the way for me, personally.

Butterjack – ‘Good Girls’

One hell of a tune from an artist that has less than 100 followers on Soundcloud. It’s smooth, groovy, and has lyrics that keep you coming back. Be on the lookout for Butterjack in 2018.

Eat More Cake – ‘Heat of the Night’

Undoubtedly my favorite new song from 2017. I honestly can’t count how many times I’ve listened to it. All I have to say is thank you, Eat More Cake.

Bobby Nourmand – ‘D U S T’

Bobby is a close, personal friend of mine. I typically don’t include him in lists like these because it feels a little awkward. But, I’ve been waiting on this track’s release for years. It’s easily one of my favorite works by him and I simply cannot leave it out. Absolutely brilliant piece from one of my favorite people on Earth.

Icarus ft. Talay Riley – ‘Trouble’

Hot damn, I grooved my ass off to this number quite a few times in 2017. The horns, the lyrics, the driving, four-to-the-floor beat all add up to one of my top picks from this year. It shouldn’t come as any surprise, though. Icarus has been killing it regularly.

Walker & Royce – Take Me To Your Leader

Despite my growing age and receding hairline, I do, in fact, like to still get out on the dance floor and boogie. This tune from Walker & Royce was always my go-to when I was ready to ramp up for an evening out. Sporting silly lyrics from Dances With White Women, it’s a carefree party-starter. Big ups, boys.

Jesse Ware – Midnight (Goldie Remix)

Oof. This track saw a heavy placement in my regular rotation. I’m a massive DnB head and this Goldie jam not only holds a place in my 2017 favorite list, but in my all-time DnB favorites.

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[Indie/Neo-Soul] Markus Mann – On The Inside

Markus Mann has recently released his sure-to-be-hit “On The Inside”. With elements of neo-soul, reggae, and hip hop, the eclectic sound of this track is reflective of the myriad of cultural influences Markus has absorbed over the years.

Currently located in Amsterdam and having been raised in both Trinidad and the United States, Markus’s sound is as unique as his journey has been thus far.

“On The Inside” is the first of a series of singles that Markus is set to release in the new year.

Check it out below and keep up with his progress on Instagram and Twitter

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Zach Zoya Provides Dope Visuals for “Superficial”

To follow up his release of “Superficial” earlier in 2017, Montreal-based hip-hop/RnB artist Zach Zoya has released the music video accompanying the track. Premiering on Exclaim! on December 6th, Zoya has put forth a video that serves was the perfect partner for the nighttime-tailored track, putting together some dope evening vibes to boot.

To promote the release, Zoya recently performed a handful of shows across Quebec, including stops in Quebec City and Montreal. Zoya’s live performances are known to be ones of high energy and great vibes, leaving fans with a memorable concert experience.

With all this buzz surrounding Zach Zoya, it should come as no surprise that he’s signed to one of Quebec’s premier record labels in 7ième Ciel. Over the years, 7ième Ciel has helped promote and establish many Quebec artists, including Dramatik, Koriass, and more.

Check out Zoya’s music video, you can thank us later.

This kid’s doing great things, so be sure to follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. That way, you won’t miss out next time he stops by your city!

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Superstar Singer BING Wows with “Hanging On”

Coming all the way from Beijing, China, famous Chinese singer BING made her English-singing debut in early December with “Hanging On”. Debuting on Huffington Post to high praise, BING  is already made an positive impression in the North American market, showing that she has the musical talent and ability to succeed in both China and America.

Using her alluring voice, BING puts listeners through an epic emotional journey on “Hanging On”, using varied instrumentation and styles of production to give listeners a never-before-heard experience. The melding of both Western and Asian styles proves compelling and infectious, creating a song with a chorus that has listeners singing along well after the track has finished.

While not much is known about BING just yet, her identity being hidden behind the mask she wears, she has certainly shown herself as a future star that’s worth paying attention to. Her Instagram is further proof of this; giving fans a glimpse of her fashion-forward style and visuals that have caused her to be so successful already in China.

Don’t believe us? Check out her song right here, and see for yourself why she’s a star in the making.

Also follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, to keep up to date on every move she makes. You won’t be disappointed.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (December 2017 Round #5)

Holiday hangover? We’ve got a cure in the form of an Indie Dojo. If you can muster up enough energy to press play that is.

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 97: Ash’s Best of 2017

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

We had a very rare episode to close out 2017 featuring all my favorite tunes of the year and a special guest appearance from former co-host Ninja Dom, in town from London. I started this playlist with about 12 hours worth of music and ended up focusing on tracks from my favorite albums of the year. To round it all out, I mixed together 11 of my favorite 2017 house tracks. We have some even more comprehensive end of year lists from our staff coming to the website later this week so stay locked. Thanks to everyone and anyone who rocked with Music Ninja Radio in 2017! – Ash

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 277)

Friday is finally here. Christmas is just a few days away and you’re likely going to be traveling or partying it up before you have to spend time with your family. For any and all of those occasions we’ve got you covered with music – and don’t worry there’s no holiday jams in this. Fresh free downloads in this week’s volume come to us from Mozado, Kaizen, Ryden, BROHUG, Kedzie and many more. All twelve of these treats should satisfy your aural palate for the weekend. We’ll be back next week with another batch, but for now – Merry Christmas!

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[Electronic] Mickey Valen & King Deco – Move That Body

“Move That Body” isn’t a Christmas song, but then again you’ve been bombarded by holiday music since before Thanksgiving. We’re switching things up for you with a smooth original from Mickey Valen and King Deco that dropped on Lowly Palace.

The soulful R&B infused electronic gem is just what you need to take a break from the usual sounds of this time of year. “Move That Body” will take hold of you with its infectious grooves and whisk you away for just over three minutes; that is unless you engage the repeat function which we wouldn’t blame you for. We’ve done it, now it’s your turn!

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#TMNMailbag #2: Bass Machina – HALO

For the second installment in our TMN Mailbag series, we have the ultimate pleasure of premiering a stellar track from San Diego-based Bass Machina.

“HALO” is officially dropping today with us, and on Spotify, and couldn’t be a more perfect song to carry you in to your holiday break. It’s fresh, energetic, and will have you sporting an ear-to-ear grin as you head home from work this afternoon.

With live-recorded guitars, impeccable percussion work, and playful synths, it’s a radiant future bass track that’s chock-full of good times throughout. In fact, it’s so well put together, that we were shocked to find out these cats only have 20 followers on Facebook, and 44 followers on Soundcloud.

It’s safe to say you’re getting in on the ground floor, which is always a fun thing to look back on years later. Make sure to keep tabs on this duo on Facebook to keep up with future releases, show dates, and more.

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#TMNMailbag #1: Shuhandz & High Flown – Apex

Every day, we’re bombarded with email submissions from publicists, record label reps, managers, and even agents. I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing. We often find incredible music and have the unique chance to bring a debut look at a new artist. On the other hand, sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming, but that’s just the way the industry works.

As much as we love our associates in the industry, a lot of us got into this to share the music we found. We came up in an era of Soundcloud and Bandcamp scouring. It didn’t matter if a track was one week or one year old, we posted it because we thought it was good.

So, we’re going to get back to this. And, we’re going to start today with our first ever #TMNMailbag post. No publicists. No managers. No label reps. These tracks are coming directly from the artists, and in this case, from Asheville-resident Shuhandz.

Released a few months back, “Apex” is a collaboration with High Flown, another North Carolinian. It picked up a decent head of steam, racking up over 20k streams and healthy spattering of comments that fell for the chilled out vibes.

With a silky smooth bassline, calculated percussion work, light guitar hits, and ethereal, vocal synths, “Apex” could be somewhat of a go-between track. It could be picked up by your heavy bass head, looking for a chance to wind down at the end of the night. On the other hand, fans of ambient electronic music could be swayed to start checking out more drippy trap tunes like this one.

Make sure to keep your eye on Shuhandz moving forward.

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[Singer/Songwriter Pop] Quinton Cochran – In Your Eyes

Earlier this year, I discovered talented young popster Quinton Cochran. At only 18 years old, his vocal talents and song-writing finesse will be sure to put him in line to be then next big teen pop star hailing from Canada. Anyone who loves romantic singer-songwriter pop will definitely appreciate this find!

Follow Quinton’s journey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

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[Festival Preview] Buku Music & Art Project – Where Art Comes to Life

Watch out New Orleans! Buku Music and Arts Project is coming March 9th & 10th to the party of all parties in downtown New Orleans. As expected, this festival is bringing the underground industrial nature of techno culture back to the festival circuit with an incredibly diverse genre-crossing line up that will keep you movin’ and groovin’ for two days straight.

Get lost in the multi-genre performances from electronic acts like Bassnectar and Borgore, rock bands like A Day to Remember and MGMT, hip-hop artists like Migos and Isaiah Rashad, and tons more. Talk about buku bands! There will also be live street art, custom-made industrial art installations, local food vendors, and a ton of “pop-up” performances to keep the thrill alive.

If you’re looking to up your experience, the festival also offers a VIP ticket option that gets you access to the Buku Rooftop, a multi-level structure with special amenities and VIP-only artist performances. Checkout the playlist below featuring every artist that’s been announced so far, then click here to get your tickets rolling.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (December 2017 Round #4)

‘Tis the season of giving. And what better way to give than a playlist full of handpicked indie goodness. Gift it to yourself or share it with others. Nothing wrong with spreading a little indie cheer!

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 96: Saturation & Soul

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

This week’s episode kicked off with a chilled out soul / jazz vibe that carried through out, across genres. Although there were notable Friday releases from some veterans, Brockhampton‘s Saturation III was easily the project I was the mot excited for. Their third album of the year delivered possibly their most ambitious and interesting yet. I matched its title by playing 4 tracks from Saturation III. The second half of the show delved into some jazzy, off-kilter house from Frits Wentink, Ben Hauke, Kerem Akdag, O’Flynn and more. I had to close out the show with a behemoth new Nicolas Jaar track from the deluxe edition of Sirens. – ash.

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 276)

Friday is here; the week is no more. Work is being taken over by relaxation… or partying depending on your style. Today we’ve got another roundup of our favorite free downloads for you to enjoy while you do whatever it is that you need to do to shake off the weight of the week. In our 276th volume we have works from Xie Motoko, Bijou, CRWNS, Jackal and so many more. We warm up with some pre-game tracks, turn up the heat and then end with some tracks for you to throw on repeat while you segue into sleep mode. Turn up your speakers and get ready, the weekend is starting!

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Dirty Chime – Halo [TMN Premiere]

Svcred Clothing founder Thomas Clayton isn’t done launching projects in 2017. He’s taken over the last few months of the year with his streetwear brand that took dance music by storm and now he’s here with some original music to debut as Dirty Chime. We’ve got his new song “Halo” here in the dojo to premiere to you!

“Halo” is an indie electronic brew with hints of pop, jazz, soul and more. Dirty Chime puts his best foot forward in starting out this project. The hypnotic “Halo” has an infectious vocal performed by Dirty Chime himself on top of a production that he created as well. From top to bottom this single has all you’d be looking for in a hit. Let this one whisk you away into the weekend!

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[Electronic/Pop] VenessaMichaels & Olmos – Good Love (feat. Effy)

One of our favorite producers in VenessaMichaels is closing 2017 with a bang. She’s just dropped her original collaboration “Good Love” with Olmos and Effy that has melted our hearts and satisfied us from ears to soul.

It’s nice to see Venessa jumping back to originals. “Good Love” sees her and company getting fresh with an electronic pop hit that could take over radio waves by storm. It hearkens back to Venessa’s signature sound that breathed most exceptionally through her originals works and adds in elements from Olmos’ sound. As always Effy jumps on with a dazzling performance where she takes center stage. Together these three cooked up one of our favorite pop tracks of the year. Get your copy of it today.

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[Electronic] Egzod – It’ll Always Be Us (ft. Leo The Kind)

Egzod is one of those producers that’s gained a lot of traction over the course of 2017. From blogs to websites to bookings, Egzod has grown incredibly in all aspects and has set himself up for an even better 2018. He comes in to close the year out with “It’ll Always Be Us” featuring Leo The Kind.

This electronic crossover track shows just where Egzod can take his dynamic sound. No genre is limiting this French talent. There’s plenty of tracks to prove this, but “It’ll Always Be Us” may be his best and most distinctive yet. It’s something you’ll just have to take a listen to for yourself to know just how inventive it is and if you’re still into downloads, then you’ll be happy to know this one dropped for free.

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[Music Video] Rob $tone Drops Two Videos Back To Back

San Diego’s own Rob $tone is finishing the year with a major push of releases. He closed out November with a music video and since then he’s dropped two more. We’ve got those two for you today for his tracks “Lately I’ve Been Feeling Myself” and “Sender.”

We’ll start with the newest project, being the minimal “Lately I’ve Been Feeling Myself.” The song itself is a great rap tune and in keeping the idea simple and focused for the visual, Rob pulled off a superb close to the year with this one. Prior to its release we got “Sender” whose music video is more lively and engaging, bringing a totally different style to the table. Together these will serve you well tonight!

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Nick Talos ft. BullySongs – Glass House (YNC X S3RIOUS Remix) [TMN Premiere]

To help brighten up your day we’ve got you covered with an exclusive first listen from Nick Talos. His song “Glass House” with BullySongs was reshaped by YNC and S3RIOUS. This dark treat is just what you need to get you to – and through – the weekend on the right note.

“Glass House” in its new form is a clubby, brooding song that isn’t hard to imagine being the late night jam that reinvigorates the party. The vocal is a major emotional force for the song, but YNC and S3RIOUS match its power with their own production that is both catchy and captivating. This remix just dropped, so if you’d like to add it to your digital library, then you may do so here.

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (December 2017 Round #3)

Sick of the holiday cheer yet? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Not ONE christmas song can be found on this Indie Dojo we place before you. Not one. You can count on us.

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[EP Review] NVDES – La Nvdité Vol. 2

As a much anticipated follow-up to Vol. 1 released this summer, music collective NVDES has released the sequel La Nvdité Vol. 2 today. De-facto frontman Josh Ocean enlists the help of his musically talented friends once again to produce yet another energy and emotion packed EP. NVDES continues to deliver on their mission of soul-baring creative expression.

Volume 2 takes a decidedly more experimental approach than pop-heavy Volume 1. There’s a bit of everything on this latest EP, but you begin to hear some new musical inspirations come through on this production.

On first track “This High”, the EP kicks off with the familiar post-punk, distorted guitar twangs you’ve come to associate with NVDES. If you keep listening, Ocean and crew lace in some ethereal, almost spiritual crooning. By the end of the song, you’re left with a trappy banger. Quite the musical journey on this track.

Another standout is lead single “D.Y.T.”, a fun, minimalistic dance tune that we featured previously here on TMN. NVDES draws on the help of talented vocalist Remmi for this tune. The following track, “Everyday”, shows a soulful side of NVDES that we haven’t quite seen before. Alongside a distinctly retro sampling/production style, this track introduces a new funky side to the lost love that Ocean so often enjoys writing songs about.

On the whole, Vol. 2 makes it evident that Ocean is delving deeper into certain aspects of his creative repertoire, going beyond the pop-punk electro sound that NVDES initially became known for. Leaning on heavier and darker beats, and lacing in funk and soul elements, NVDES makes an unexpected yet welcome musical pivot, while staying true to their roots of free-flowing, unstructured musical exploration. 

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 275)

Only a few more weeks until 2017 officially comes to a close. As we move through the calendar each Friday we tack on more free downloads for you to enjoy over the weekends. If you’ve been following us all year, that means you have quite a deep library filled with gems. If you’re just stopping by, then hopefully this week’s collection is enough to get you to stick around with us each week. The latest songs we’ve gathered come from Kaizen, Space Race, Rell The Soundbender, Jinco, Ray Volpe, Minnesota and more. All together they should serve you well while you shake off the week from your mind. Let loose, relax; whatever you do, enjoy!

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[Trap] Snoof – Warning (Feat. Mikey Ceaser)

Snoof and Mikey Ceaser expressed a “Warning” that every one needs to pay attention to. Their original single together is a hybrid trap treasure that any and all bassheads can congregate under.

For anyone that has a heard Mikey Ceaser before, you know he always brings the fire, but here he gets things especially hot. The same goes for Snoof whose production is a dazzling display of dirty bass tones. It’s one of those songs that when it drops you instantly without hesitation get your bass face going with a follow up of your favorite expletive. “Warning” is out now, so if you’d like a copy, grab one from Beatport today.

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[Moombahton] ShiShi – Damelo

The original single “Damelo” comes to us from ShiShi through the Fight Free imprint. This pop infused Moombah treat is heating up these colder months with bright Summer sounds.

ShiShi is known for blending different styles together as is evident from his work and motto of “East meets West.” Though here he goes all out Latin with a globalized dembow single that gives life to anyone who listens to it. “Damelo” is an invigorating landscape of raw energy that will get you moving in no time. Check it out today and make sure to add it to your Spotify playlists!

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[Hip-Hop] Statik Selektah – Ain’t a Damn Thing Change ft. G-Eazy, Joey Bada$$ & Enisa

As one of the mainstays of today’s East Coast hip-hop scene, DJ/producer Statik Selektah has been quite the prolific artist over the years. Selektah has quite an impressive number of high-profile collaborations, with artists such as Nas, Talib Kweli, Action Bronson, and De La Soul. Last week, Selektah released single “Ain’t a Damn Thing Change” off of his upcoming album 8, his 8th studio album.

Laid out over a smooth jazzy background line, this track puts Selektah’s distinctive New York-influenced style of production on display. G-Eazy and Joey Bada$$ deliver clean flowing verses, while Enisa’s soulful riffs and chorus provide support. To kick the track off, you can hear Selektah showcase the turntabling ability that helped him first cut his teeth as a DJ.

If you liked the track, check out 8 when it’s released this Friday, December 8th. You can find the album at any of the links here. The album features a star-studded tracklist with appearances by Raekwon, Run the Jewels, Cypress Hill, and many more. Peep the full list below:

8 Tracklist:

1. “Harley’s Blues (The World Could Save)” (Feat. Harley Harl & Francesca)
2. “Man of the Hour” (Feat. 2 Chainz & Wiz Khalifa)
3. “Put Jewels On It” (Feat. Run the Jewels)
4. “Watching Myself” (Feat. Action Bronson)
5. “Get Down” (Feat. Wale & Phil Ade)
6. “Ain’t a Damn Thing Change” (Feat. G-Eazy, Joey Bada$$ & Enisa)
7. “But You Don’t Hear Me Tho” (Feat. The Lox & Mtume)
8. “No. 8″ (Feat. Westside Gunn, Conway &Termanology)
9. “What Can We Do, Pt. 1 & 2″ (Feat. Anoyd, Crimeapple, Avenue, Nick Grant, Millyz & Chris Rivers)
10. “Don’t Run” (Feat. Joyner Lucas)
11. “Go Gettas” (Feat. Wais P, Sean Price & Tek)
12. “Slept to Death” (Feat. Curren$y & Cousin Stizz)
13. “Everything (Show Me Love)” (Feat. PNB Rock & Lil’ Fame)
14. “Nobody Move” (Feat. Raekwon & Royce Da 5’9″)
15. “Shakem Up (Cypress Hill x House of Pain)” (Feat. B-Real & Everlast)
16. “Pull the Curtain Back” (Feat. No Malice)
17. “Disrespekt” (Feat. Prodigy)
18. “All Said & Done (JFK’s 8 Ball Outro)” (Feat. Plays & Juelz Santana)

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[Music Ninja Radio] Episode 94: Hazy Jawnts & House Experiments

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm  from 4-6PM PST every Friday. 

Soundcloud || Spotify Playlist  || BFF.fm Archive & Tracklist

This week’s selection is inspired by the music that accompanied some recent travels. The show kicks off with some laid back, soulful vibes but quickly kicks up into hip-hop and future beats. The majority of the lineup, though, is comprised of some trippy, experimental house tracks that have been in heavy rotation. I also shouted out BFF.fm’s end of year fundraiser and an upcoming benefit show in SF where I’ll be DJing. – ash.

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[Indie/Dream-Pop] Ravennas – Meet in a Garden

Worming their way into your ears on this beautiful Hump Day is up and coming Seattle duo Ravennas. Comprised of childhood friends Ben Grant and Paul Dutton, Ravennas have been playing various shades of music together in some form since grade school, while their debut single “Meet in a Garden”, which was produced by tastemaking favorite DoM, sees the brand new project fusing a foundation of psych-pop, indie-rock and electro-pop. Clearly, the pair have cultivated an aural chemistry and understanding of each other’s musical prowess which can already be heard on “Meet in a Garden; an introductory tune which carries the kind of sharpness usually reserved for artists much further along their creative journeys.

Grant’s reverb-laden, jangly guitar hearkens back to the blue print laid on some of those treasured early Captured Tracks releases, while symmetrical two-step drum pacing and a chugging bass line underpin its vocal track beautifully. About the collaboration with DoM, Dutton remarked: “DoM has a profound ability to follow his instincts and started shaping the song, shortening different sections and vibing the song out more so that it wasn’t so clean and dry.” Hearing such proficiency and direction on the duo’s debut single is quite promising, and you can be sure we’ll be anxiously awaiting the next offering from Ravennas, which is expected out early 2018. For now, sit back and enjoy “Meet in a Garden” above.

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[Trap/Dubstep] Apashe – Supernova feat. Dope D.O.D.

Apashe has long been a go-to producer for hybrid sounds. His last couple of remixes has seen him inch towards a slightly different route and now he’s back on the original grind with “Supernova” featuring Dope D.O.D. of the Netherlands. Released on Kannibalen Records, this single has all the bass you’d expect.

“Supernova” is a blend of genres including trap, hip-hop and dubstep. The collection of sounds, mixed with Apashe’s international influences, makes for a track that can be enjoyed anywhere, where you’re headbanging to it at a festival or just bumping along to it at home. Dope D.O.D.’s addition to the record brings some appreciated grit to the dirty original. “Supernova” dropped today for anyone looking to add it to their Spotify playlist or get a copy for their digital library.

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[House] Bleach Baby – This Is For You

A brand new project is now here. Bleach Baby has launched with their debut single on Liftoff Recordings. “This Is For You” is a vibrant house original that brings some old school flavors together with a modern flare.

After hearing this first single, we’re pumped for what else is to come from Bleach Baby. Not much is known about this act who is putting the music first. “This Is For You” is leading the charge ahead of BB’s debut EP that will feature three songs in total. Bleach Baby is only one song in, but that’s been enough to get us on board and we hope the same for you. Check out the song today and grab a copy of it from digital stores.

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[Multi-Genre] JEANIE – Disturbance EP

The bass-booming beatsmith JEANIE has come through with her biggest project to date. The Disturbance EP comes in at four tracks in length as the Brooklyn talent shows off just where she can take her creative abilities.

Disturbance dives into multiple soundscapes including trap, dubstep and electro, especially in regards to the niche of sounds like Gesaffelstein and Rezz. Her bass influence is prevalent throughout the EP, but she closes things out with a more vibey single to shake things up and express something different. JEANIE didn’t simply throw together tracks unknowingly, instead she delivered a calculated project to take the next step in her career. Want a copy? Get yours today.

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[Electronic] Shmuck The Loyal – HISTRIONICS EP

Shmuck The Loyal has been putting out a solid amount of work in the past few weeks, with his recent EP being the biggest project. The four track HISTRiONICS EP sees the Nashville producer continuing to progress on an iconic, hypnotic signature sound.

HISTRiONICS is the second EP from Shmuck and features his previously released single “Slipping.” The EP starts out with the Kiya Lacey collaboration on “Tempt” that exudes a dark, psychedelic sound. The rest of the project follows suit, but shifts Shmuck’s style through different avenues to add depth from start to finish. Overall it’s an EP that you’re going to want to jam through a few times at least!

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[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (December 2017 Round #1)

For the times when looking for the perfect music to soundtrack your day pisses you off more than soothes your musical soul. 2 words. Indie Dojo. Every Tuesday. Don’t forget.

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[Electronic] Said The Sky & FRND – Faded

Two of our favorite music men have come together for a magical collaboration. “Faded” sees Said The Sky and FRND mix their unique styles for a timeless tune.

“Faded” is one of those collaboration that brings the best of both worlds, playfully building off each other’s strengths instead of simply throwing each other’s sounds together carelessly. Beautiful, full of emotion and a respect for musicality, this single has all you could ask for. Said The Sky and FRND comes as a sweet surprise that may just be the track that makes our week. “Faded” just dropped today and is currently available on digital formats. You’re going to want this one.

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[Trap/Dubstep] ARIUS – Rise (feat. Born I Music)

Dim Mak recently released a hot one from the collaborators ARIUS and Born I. “Rise” is going to do just that for you – get you up and moving with your adrenaline and dopamine levels rising.

This hybrid heater smashes dubstep, trap and hip-hop together in epic fashion. Right from the start you feel the track’s grandiosity and it continues to build upon that initial feeling until you’re blasted with a boisterous blend of bass samples. Born I targets the verses with his iconic rhymes that have steadily establishing him as a go-to rapper for electronic crossover tracks. This isn’t the first time these acts have come together and it surely won’t be the last because every time out they create something incredible.

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[Music Video] Sean Turk ft. Jessame – Lemonade

Aurally sip on some “Lemonade” straight from Sean Turk‘s studio. Not only do we have the collaborative single with Jessame to share with you, but Sean went ahead and launched this release with a stylish music video.

With “Lemonade” we get Sean’s signature Bedroom Bass style blended with hip-hop for a radio-accessible original. The crossover sound is something you’d expect to hear in the Summer time, but don’t be surprised if you hear this one still being jammed. In regards to the video, it’s a simple concept that is shot and executed well. Together the audiovisual project is a nice treat that will help get you through the week with a smile on your face. “Lemonade” is available on digital platforms today.

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[Get Crunk] Friday Party Playlist (Vol 274)

We’re kicking December off with a whole lot of bass. Keep warm with the hottest free downloads that we’ve collected over the past seven days. As usual, we warm things up with some pre-game records and then move on to the harder tracks to keep you going all night long. This week we have records from the likes of Savoy, ARIUS, GRiZ, sfam and many more. As we stated earlier, there’s a whole lot of bass, so get yourself ready to rage this weekend. These twelve records are no joke.

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[Music Video] OYO – Powerless ft. TEMPLE

OYO‘s single “Powerless” featuring TEMPLE is a wonderful portrayal of modern dance music. It’s not something that is a straightforward copy and paste record, instead it shows off different sides for a dynamic listen that never gets old.

“Powerless” by itself is enough, but OYO has come through with a music video to augment the project. In it we follow a young girl dancing through the frames, changing settings as time elapses for a simple, yet captivating visual piece. It will make you feel anything but powerless. Want a copy of the single? Get it today.

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Cavalry – A Little Rough [TMN PREMIERE]

As the work week comes to a close, so many of you out there are on the hunt for new tunes to carry you through your weekend adventures. Whether you’re hoping to find that rally cry to carry you into a night at the clubs, or the latest indie folk tunes to accompany a lazy night in, you’re all sharing this common thread. This is why Friday premieres are always my favorite, and today is no different.

Coming your way from Liverpool, England, Calvary is comprised of Alan (Vocals), Austin (Guitar), Steven (Guitar), Paul (Bass), and Gareth (Drums). Over the past few years, they’ve been garnering critical acclaim from the likes radio hosts, publications, and tastemakers across the board. Their latest release, See the Night Perform, out on Fierce Panda (Coldplay / The Maccabees), will follow along with those previous emphatic nods of approval.

Originally, we had come on board to premiere “A Little Rough,” but things progressed into an added treat for everyone tuning in. Below, you’ll not only find a full stream of their debut EP, but an accompanying track-by-track guide directly from the band. Not a bad way to kick off your weekend, eh?

Press play, then scroll below and read along.

HERESY

‘Heresy’ is really about dealing with modernity – the simple, everyday tribulations and the dystopia that’s hidden in plain sight. It’s a mortal cry for hope and sense in this troubling age we’re all in, but there’s definitely introspection as well.

Like a lot of our songs, we love creating an ambience and atmosphere, and finding startling ways to dispel and dismantle what we’ve created. But all in a way that retains a mainstream aesthetic. Heresy does the same – it’s dark and light in equal measure, but there’s a pop foundation underneath it all.

BLACK

If there’s a grand concept to the whole EP, it’s found in ‘Black’. The line ‘See The Night Perform’ comes in at the absolute climax of the song, which has gone from crushingly intimate ballad, to full-blown post-rock anthem.

It’s definitely bold and takes intense turns. But it’s a patient song and for it to work, the meaning needs to be subtle. It’s about trying to validate the simple wars you have within yourself against the backdrop of everyday life.

A LITTLE ROUGH

‘A Little Rough’ is a curve ball for us. Again, it’s laden with bare emotion dealing and atmosphere, but there’s an undeniable groove. It’s infused with too many influences to count: folk, trip-hop, electronica, post-rock, but again never straying away from the simple pop-song underneath. We think of Ben Howard and Portishead, and everything between as a good.

It’s about being absolutely elemental – having nothing but the need to find purpose, and fighting against the temptation to give in.

‘A fire to derive, a solace in your mind, well I won’t waste my time.’

CABIN

‘Cabin’ is the surefire release at the end of the EP. It’s about striving for escapism from a position of isolation and introspection.

It’s the first song we ever wrote after coming together, and it’s almost a tribute to the inception of the band. Just before we started life as ‘Cavalry’ many of us were newly back in Liverpool after living away from the city for some time in New York, Vancouver, Asia. Soon after, we were in a remote writing camp away from everything, and lighting the first fires of what would become our material to date. It’s an important song for that reason: in moments of doubt, it just helps to remember the purpose of being in a band, making music that you care about.

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