Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm from 4-6PM PST every Friday.
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After a couple weeks off due to Coachella and a post-festival cold, I had a lot of show stories and music to share in this episode. Time is pretty evenly split here between Coachella favorites and brand new music from the last couple weeks.
How about some nice “Ice Coffee” to start off your morning from Mlapa? His chilled out treat is as refreshing as the drink it was named after and the best part is… Mlapa dropped this one as a free download.
“Ice Coffee” sets a serene stage of sound with calming tones. Mlapa’s morning ritual is grabbing iced coffee from around the corner and after one of those trips he cranked this tune out in one sitting. The sweet atmosphere Mlapa builds is just the right one to relax in every morning before the hectic day begins. Take a sip and see for yourself.
Before I was slinging up the latest-n-greatest indie rock, deep house cuts, and soulful folk gems here on TMN, you would more than likely find me throwing my head back and forth to punk, emo, metalcore, and pretty much anything and everything that centered around top-notch, intricate guitar work. That music has somewhat fallen into the shadows of the music industry, but there are a few bands who are hoping to spark that flame that so many of us enjoyed.
Obvious acts aside, one group I’ve been digging into lately is Denver-based Mosaic, who’s demos made me pop up both brows with surprise. Simply put, these guys rip. Their lyrics and song structure remind me of one of my favorite throwbacks, Circa Survive, coupled with a degree of heaviness that tugs on my late-teen/early-twenties heart.
It’s not often you catch wind of someone who’s fusing pop-sensibility into their songwriting, alongside of beautiful complexity in instrumentation, but that’s exactly what Carl (bass), Erik (drums), Phillip (vox), Nema (guitar), and Zachary (guitar) are pulling it off with ease. Below are my two favorites, with “Home” leading the way. Have a listen and then head out and support these cats.
Photo Credit: Greeblehaus
Nestled into the tiny stage at Globeville’s half BBQ joint, half music venue, Kingston, Ontario-based rock and rollers The Glorious Sons seized my attention with authority. I wasn’t alone, either. The entire crowd was entranced throughout. This didn’t come as much of a surprise, though, given the nature of their music.
I had previously spent some time with their latest album Young Beauties and Fools, finding solace in the down home instrumentals and Brett’s anthemic lyrics. It’s easy to get addicted to it. The blue-collar vibes, crunchy riffs, and expert story telling create an atmospheric listening experience that’s hard to come by.
But, Jay Emmons, Chris Koster, Adam Paquette, Chris Huot & Brett Emmons seemingly make it easy. Which, is why I wanted to chat with them ahead of their fourth trip through Denver.
TMN: Welcome to Denver! Is this your first time in the Mile High City?
Jay: Fourth! We opened for a band called Ten Years three years ago. We came back twice to Marquis Theater after that. We headlined for like five people. Tonight is going to be a real show.
How has the tour been going so far?
Jay: It’s been good — busy. I think this is the most distance we’ve traveled in such a short span. We did 15 days in Europe. 14 of them had shows attached to them. The last three dates of the tour we were flying from Norway to Sweden, then to Denmark. That just adds a whole other element — being up at 7:00 or 8:00AM every day. It’s the first we’ve experienced something like that.
Here, we started in Chicago. Then to Minneapolis, North Carolina, New Orleans, Kansas City.
TMN: Any cities rise above the rest as far as highlights go?
Jay: Minneapolis was cool. We did 7th Street Entry. It’s attached to the club First Avenue where ‘Purple Rain’ was shot. It’s a really legit venue, kind of a rite of passage, I guess.
New Orleans was interesting. We had our AirBNB broken into by a crackhead. I had to chase him out shirtless. I had been completely naked, jumped into a pair of jean shorts.
TMN: What?!
TMN: Jesus. That’s terrifying.
Jay: The look in her eyes — she was speechless with fear — made him (our drummer) realize there was a guy who busted in. Everyone was in shock. He got up and pushes him back. I jump into my jean shorts, rip off my belt, and start screaming at the top of my lungs at this guy. We both managed to get him out. It was scary.
TMN: That’s definitely memorable. Going back to your European dates, there’s something I’m always curious about. I know it’s commonplace for people in other countries to speak two languages, and often English. Did the language barrier matter out there, or did people pick up your lyrics and sing along?
Jay: People were definitely singing along to ‘Everything is Alright.’ The only lyric they fuck up was the line that says “Everything is alright. If only for the night.” Everyone in Europe said “If only for tonight.” And it sounds so European! It’s hilarious to hear that come back up to the stage. Even in the states it happens, though.
TMN: Talk to us about your upbringing, as brothers, from a musical stand point. Was this something that was encouraged and fostered early on?
Jay: Listening, always. No the playing, so much.
Brett: I wouldn’t call our family a musical family. I’m seven years younger than Jay, so when he started getting into music, I naturally just followed what he did.
Jay: We were always attached at the hip. He was kind of my little buddy growing up. If we were playing hockey, he was playing hockey with us. We’d be firing pucks at him. He was always the goalie. He was hanging out all the time.
TMN: Did you guys come up listening to Dad’s records? Mom’s records? Both?
TMN: What about when you started to develop your own tastes?
Jay: It was probably around Grade 9. You know, where everyone discovers Pink Floyd, starts getting into weed. You’re watching The Wall, first time getting high, and like “ah, man! This is so cool.”
TMN: And trying to sync Dark Side of the Moon to The Wizard of Oz.
Brett: (Laughing) That’s a fucking can of shit. You can sync anything up to that. People are so stupid.
TMN: Did you guys start playing in bands separately before you came together? You mentioned you’re seven years older.
Jay: I was playing in bands since I was really young. Brett started playing in high school. By grade 11, they had a kick ass band, and they were writing their own music. At that time, I was 22 and had my own band, writing our own music, and playing around town. The first time I went to see his band, I was like “holy fuck, these guys are better than my band, and they’re just kids!” Brett was already a front man. He already had his own style.
Brett: We used to just follow them around and open for them at little mini-gigs. We thought it was the greatest thing in the world. We would go over there and get crushed, having the time of our lives. When you start playing rock & roll, cliches aside, that’s what you wanna do. You wanna get fucked up, talk to girls, and play music. That opened the whole world to us.
How did Glorious Sons come together? What’s your origin story, so to speak?
Jay: I knew I wanted to start a band before I got really old. I got this place that was a pretty shitty apartment above a mechanic shop in Kingston. I didn’t really have a plan. But, I started grabbing people for rehearsals. The first couple went pretty terribly. Me and Chris, our bass player, stuck together, and eventually got our drummer and former guitar player. Brett was out east at the time, at school, and he came home and saw us at Thanksgiving weekend. Eventually, he ended up dropping out.
Brett: I came back at Christmas and was like “this is actually pretty good.” They’d been asking me for a few months — drunk dialing me — asking me to come join the band. Then I came back and saw them. I finally had come to my wits end with rent money, after hanging out with a guy who wasn’t the best character to hang out with, and asked if there was a spot for me. I flew home and started doing my thing.
TMN: You guys have been picking up steam too. Awards, accolades, etc…
Jay: That’s all great stuff, but we haven’t done fuck all in a few years, except for releasing a great album. I mean — we’ve always appreciated what we’ve done in Canada. We’ve toured the fuck out of that country. But, now, it’s nice to see we can go to Europe and sell tickets. It’s starting to cook for us.
Brett: The only thing awards do is change industry perception of who you are as a band.
Jay: Some people still think we’re a bunch of douchebags from Kingston. We still don’t get the respect that I think we deserve, in Canada. What really shows people who we are is if we can make something down here. We’re from Kingston. We’re not in those industry circles. We get along with all those guys, but we’re down-home boys from Kingston.
TMN: I kinda feel like you guys have an Americana sound to you too.
Brett: We love that kind of music. It’s hard, because Americana is a blanket term.
Jay: It’s a way cooler way of saying Canadiana.
TMN: (Laughs) When I hear you guys, I can hear the guitar of a band like Clutch. Southern rock, with a little story telling and some killer riffs.
Jay: I would say there’s some Skynard and Allman Brothers in there. Not like I can play guitar like any of those guys.
Brett: We also listen to a lot of Ryan Adams and Jason Isbell.
Jay: When we first started writing music, the old shit was pouring out of our veins. But, you have to adapt to the times.
TMN: You touched on this, about the hiatus between albums, let’s talk about Fast Friends. I always think it’s interesting to see how a different group of creative minds can help foster something.
Brett: For two years, we were basically spinning out tires. We knew we wanted a different album. The first album was meat and potatoes.
Jay: We weren’t capable of doing anything but that, at that time. It was the tip of the iceberg for this band at that point.
Jay: We heard some demos that Fast Friends had produced. As soon as I heard it, I was like “this is fucking cool.”
Brett: They were cool songs. Anyways…
Jay: Groundbreaking.
Brett: They were cool songs. Anyways. We got down there, we were sitting at dinner, and Jay’s and I were worried. We had a lot riding on this thing. This was the last apple in the barrel.
Jay: It was a now or never situation.
Brett: We were there. In the studio. The first thing they did that was important was recognizing the good songs from the bad songs. There was 150-200 ideas. I asked if I could share some shit off my phone. This was in the first two hours of meeting with him. I showed him “Josie” and he said “this is the shit.” He got up and started dancing. Two hours later, we had the whole song finished.
TMN: You can feel the balance — there’s a nice element of pop to it, to where it grabs you. As a listener, you’re not reaching. But, it’s raw. It’s a great mix of storytelling that’s simplistic, yet poetic.
Brett: I’m not trying to confuse people with my lyrics. I get so fucking mad at the art’s for art sake bullshit. I’m a lyricist, not a poet. That’s the thing, right?
Jay: I think this album makes people feel things. That’s what a lot of people grab on to. We’re lucky to have a guy that puts it into that way.
Brett: They’re literal. I don’t try to over-complicate anything. I just want you to see, feel, and taste that in the most simplistic way possible. That’s the way you’re going to get the picture that I had.
TMN: I heard an interesting quote about creativity that seems to be in lockstep with some of the things you’ve said. “Creativity is cathartic. It’s the ability to say things to strangers that you’d otherwise be embarrassed to tell those closest to you.” Is that somewhat spot on for you?
Brett: Well, here’s the thing. It’s a very open album. I had all of these songs that were just about me and the guys said to get up there and tell these stories. Tell them from a personal side. From the eyes of a 23 year old guy. I didn’t have any trouble doing that. I’ve never been embarrassed about saying anything.
TMN: You have mentioned this album being autobiographical and about someone battling with alcoholism. You’re currently sober?
Brett: Yeah. It’s been three months now. I don’t want to bastardize anyone else’s alcoholism. We know a guy who choked on his tongue from having seizures from his addition. That wasn’t really my problem. For me, I couldn’t turn it off. If I got drunk tonight, I would be drunk for the next week, and I’d be having the time of my life. But, I’d be doing things to people during that period of time, where in the morning, I would feel like a piece of shit. And then, I would feel the need to drink more to get over that feeling. At this point, I just don’t know who I am when I drink. I hurt a lot of people in those moments. I’m fucking tired of being the brunt of everyone’s jokes, in the end.
TMN: Sometimes in the industry, people seem to take it lightly. Like “oh, they’re just on tour. They’re playing at bars every night.” They don’t realize the struggle of leaving that — a rowdy scene where everyone loves you — and you come back and you’re by yourself.
Brett: Coming down from tour, after getting home from tour, was impossible. I would get more drunk at home because I was so fucking bored. I got tired of being the good guy at home. I would head straight to my favorite bar and get crushed.
Jay: Everyone has that. When you’re home, and it’s the only place you’ve wanted to be for so long, you’ve forgotten how to get comfortable.
TMN: Have you found that you have a new sense of clarity, now that you’re sober? Have you noticed a big effect from it?
Another week down, and another week ready to begin. The friendly faces at The Music Ninja are here to help smooth the transition as you get back to the grind. As usual, Sunday Night Soul is specifically designed to wrap up your weekend right way, so dim the lights, grab a drink and let the relaxation begin. By the way, don’t forget to click the links below to make sure you’re alerted as soon as we update the playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud!
SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive
Let’s leave the week behind and get on to the weekend at hand. Friday marks the segue into two of the most treasured days. Whether you’re looking to party hard or kick back and relax this weekend, we’ve got you covered with some tunes. We kick things off with some pre-game action thanks to the likes of Litche, benny mayne and others. From there the energy picks up with records from ZEKE BEATS, Rawtek, Birthdayy Partyy, Who’s John and more. Filled with great originals as well as remixes, this batch of free downloads is as diverse as it is awesome. Click that play button and initiate the start of the weekend!
If you’re a fan of cinematic sounds and heavy hitting drops, then Far Out has some music for you. “Rise” is the perfect bridge between something you’d hear in a Hans Zimmer score and something you’d dance to at an EDM festival. The duo’s name is well-deserving, as their music is definitely far out.
The song starts out slow with just a simple, ambient piano progression, but soon enough, strings and drums make their way in. During the buildup, the song starts to make a transition from classical instruments to electronic ones, and by the drop, you’re listening to a culmination of it all. Filled with vibrant synths and hard-hitting drums, the drop hurtles you into a musical euphoria. Far Out’s unique style and incredible production skills makes them a duo that should definitely be on your radar. Make sure to grab a free download, and be on the lookout for more bangers from these guys.
The house-aficionado Wenzday joined up with Gold Digger Records for the release of her latest song “Narita” last week. Released as a free download, this groovy treat is just what you need to take with you into the weekend.
“Narita” is a song that builds and builds and keeps going until the end. For some producers it is hard to keep up the pace and excitement with a song like this one, but Wenzday tailored each part of the track to keep your attention up and your body moving. It’s a song you can easily get lost in, which is just what we’ve been doing with it here in the dojo. Dive in for yourself how intoxicating it is.
When two genuine artists get together, great things happen. That’s just what went down with Aire Atlantica and Tzar. After the NYC producer moved to Los Angeles, this was one of the first songs he wrote and after enlisting Tzar with her beautifully honest performance, we got the illustrious “Things I Hate About U” as it stands today.
This single magnificently blends a soulful R&B tone with a buzzing atmospheric structure, complete with all the bells and whistles that Aire Atlantica could pack into this gem. The brooding undertones give the track just the attitude it needs to augment Tzar’s pulsing performance. “Things I Hate About U” is currently out on digital platforms, so make sure to add it to your library.
Today marks the release of the Aymo Remixes pack from Balkan Bump. The Talib Kweli collaboration is one of the most unique tracks of the year, showcasing the trumpet enthusiast’s signature sound.
The Oakland creative Sidecar Tommy took on that very track and flipped it into his own special treasure, one that we’re cherishing right along side you in its premiere here. His take is a bit more glitchy and bass-driven than the original, making it the ultimate energetic counterpart. You’re hearing it first here in the dojo and after you enjoy Sidecar Tommy’s take, go on ahead and check out the full EP.
The Danish songster YDEA is gracing the dojo with the premiere of her new single “Let’s Get Lost” today. From her home in London she’s creating some astonishing indie records and this certainly falls into that lot.
“Let’s Get Lost” is a soft and soothing soulful dive into a powerful message from YDEA. This inspirational tune is inspired by the immigration to Europe by refugees. Even if you’re not someone who’s socio-politically savvy, this incredible song still packs an emotional punch. YDEA will have you tearing up with her masterful performance laden atop a backdrop of gripping acoustical accompaniment.
“I wrote Let’s Get Lost as I was frustrated about how some reacted to the refugees coming to Europe the past years. I was disheartened and ashamed to see that instead of welcoming them with empathy and kindness for all that they’ve been through there was this negative movement of dehumanising them, using negatively loaded words and not recognising them as being human beings coming from a devastating situation that I never could never even imagine. I have always been a strong believer that no matter where we are from, no matter religion, sexuality or colour we are all human with hopes and dreams and no one should be treated differently for any reason. I hope through this song to inspire to more kindness and compassion as I believe that’s the way for humanity.”
– YDEA
“All Night” is the latest tune from the twin brothers Birthdayy Partyy that have been blowing up the dance music scene with their fun-filled beats. Released as a free download, this original bass record hits all the right notes with its dirty sound.
Birthdayy Partyy don’t stick to one style and with this they offer up a genre-defying single. “All Night” is a bit glitchy and a bit hip-hop with its sampling. It’s simple, but effective in a catchy sense. What really shines on this one is the second drop when they add a few elements and really put things into gear. Make sure to grab the download – and if you’re feeling supportive, throw these brothers a vote to play EDC this year.
Another week down, and another week ready to begin. The friendly faces at The Music Ninja are here to help smooth the transition as you get back to the grind. As usual, Sunday Night Soul is specifically designed to wrap up your weekend right way, so dim the lights, grab a drink and let the relaxation begin. By the way, don’t forget to click the links below to make sure you’re alerted as soon as we update the playlists on Spotify and SoundCloud!
SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive
The second weekend of Coachella is upon us and we’re keeping the festivities going on our end with another edition of the Friday Party Playlist. This week we’ve got the usual batch of a dozen free downloads for you, as well as a mix for a whole bunch of extra music for you. This week we’re dropping heaters from some of our favorite producers including Kaptain, Luca Lush, dEVOLVE, Wenzday, Arius and so many more, including the return of Twine. There’s a whole lot of great stuff going on here, so get ready to dive in. We start off slow then boost up the energy to max levels as the playlists goes on! Party hard, stay safe ninjas.
If you’re looking for something funky to spice up your weekend, then look no further than Mosie‘s debut studio album Tangerine. Now when we say funky, we do mean funky in the tradition musical sense, as well as the wacky non-traditional sense. Mosie does his own thing on this project and it really shows.
Tangerine is one of the best albums of the year so far, complete with fourteen incredible singles with enough old school flare to bring you back into the 70’s. With his retro infused singles, Mosie brings us back to a different decade while breathing modern undertones through his work. From start to finish this is a nostalgic adventure for all ages. Mosie has us aching for this on vinyl, but we’ve added it to our digital library – and you should too.
The San Francisco artist Kaptain is making his return in a big way with a brand new original. The single “Your Every Move” signals the upcoming arrival of an EP, set to be called The Practice Of Letting Go. With how zen “Your Every Move” is, we imagine the rest of the EP will take us away into Kaptain’s world with ease.
“Your Every Move” is chill all the way through. Its psychedelic tendencies breathe heavily from start to finish, offering up a sound that is soothing and hypnotic. Kaptain always manages to create records that tell a story and take you on a journey from beginning to end. He doesn’t take the easy way out and it shows with in depth songwriting skills. “Your Every Move” is currently available as a free download, but stay tuned for more.
Let’s take a dive deep down into some dirty trap-ridden beats shall we? Thankfully CRWTH and Mursa dropped the hybrid bass original “Jaw Lock” alongside Dyvon recently. This dark and devilish record doesn’t pull any punches, so prepare yourself.
“Jaw Lock” implores an ominous hip-hop introduction complete with a lyrical performance that endures with its haunting sound. From there we’re lead into and hit with ferocious bass samples and a barrage of other sounds that are all mashed together to chaotic perfection. You may not expect it from a “trap” record, but the moody tone that these creatives construct is right on the money. It’s a emotionally engaging record, even if it does conjure up the more fiendish side of you! Best part about it too – it’s a free download.
“2 Much” by A&G and Luvi is helping to usher in the warmer weather that will eventually lead into Summer. The tropical tune has just the right vibe for any beach gatherings or pool parties. Even if you don’t find yourself in that atmosphere, “2 Much” will transport you there.
“2 Much” is a poppy, Moombah inspired original with a vocal performance that is hard to forget. Not only did A&G / Luvi drop the track, but they’ve come through with a dance heavy music video to enhance the “2 Much” experience. Watch and listen for yourself and bust out your own dance moves. “2 Much” is currently available online for those wanting a copy.
To kick off Tuesday we’re going retro with a new project from the Italian group Platonick Dive. They have graced the dojo with the premiere of the music video for the single “Maple” from their upcoming LP Social Habits that comes out on April 20th.
“Maple” as a track is a cerebral dive into mesmerizing soundscapes and lush textures. Platonick Dive really keyed in on a classic, yet new-school sound. With the video they continued with the nostalgic tone, utilizing noisily filtered images that make you feel like you are watching a dark, cryptic VHS. The whole project is incredible and we’re happy to be the first to present it to you. Lastly, you can pre-order Social Habits today from iTunes!
Looking at the NOS Event Center from the outside, you’d never think that Insomniac would be able to transform the traditional fairgrounds into the Alice & Wonderland themed massive event that it is.
It was somewhere between walking into the Queen’s Domain Stage for the first time, with royal banners draped down from a regal dome and the stained-glass windows of a virtual castle dance on the huge Main Stage LED screens; Between fairytale teapot art cars that stood comically 15ft high just outside with their caretakers fresh out of mind-bending tea party with the mad hatter himself; and between watching every rendition of Wonderland’s vibrant characters stream into the venue all around me that I realized I had already I had already tripped and fallen deep into the Rabbit Hole.
The event was outstanding, even through a chilly rain the first day. If anything the stages had even more memorable crowds with everyone dancing and staying in cover to keep warm and dry.
The Mad Hatter’s Castle was the favorite music stage this year, featuring outrageous sets from the likes of R3HAB, Electric Mantis, Black Tiger Sex Machine, & Australian artist Just A Gent. Christofi dropped an awesome, intimate set early on Day 2 at the Queens Domain that went off too. Personal best set of the weekend? Valentino Khan.
With VIP experiences being hit or miss, I was excited to see what this years looked like. The Gypsy Shrine was there in all their glitter & jewels making people fabulous and there was a massive recreated mad hatter tea party table for photo ops. What truly stood out as I explored the space was an explosion of what was referred to as “wellness technology”.
A massive spinning bed that rotated 13 times per minute to balance the body’s equilibrium. Light therapy masks. Vibrating beds known as SoundLounges. Virtual Reality Experiences. Live Art. An Augmented Reality wall. The list goes on, but I was blown away.
The Courtiers were brought in by Insomniac to curate the space known as ‘The Quantum Lounge’ and they partnered with a company in the emerging cryptocurrency space called Swarm Fund to do it. The Virtual Reality was using the game Sound Self, where the object is to fill objects with your voice. Using tones, fractal patterns actually respond to the user’s voice to create intricate, hypnotic patterns. It was a trip watching how people interacted with the game, with one girl singing into the game creating incredible patterns.
After my experience there, I moved onto the SoundLounge. I was given headphones and laid down on a futuristic black bed, choosing a 5 minute audio track called “Abundance” that had been designed by a doctor to facilitate relaxation in the body. Almost instantly after I was placed in the lounge and the track started, I could feel a massive bass wave pulse through the my body and drop all tension away. It was way beyond my expectations, with one guest sitting up saying it was one of the best festival experiences they’d ever had.
I spent more time here engaged than any other VIP space I can remember. The live art was truly outstanding and left plenty of room to lounge around on light-up, fiberglass pods that were essentially art installations and seating at the same time. The Quantum Lounge was a perfect recharge and entertainment experience that every VIP experience could look to for inspiration. Truly the last piece of the puzzle to bring me fully into Wonderland and send me back onto the festival dance floor feeling my best.
All in all Beyond Wonderland was an awesome event, and a perfect introductory experience for me – showcasing how far they’ve come in the event’s 8yr run. With an amazing lineup, art installations, stages, and an outrageous VIP I left remembering why I come to these events. To connect with myself and the other amazing humans that call this otherworldly combination of music and immersive art home.
Every year, those of us here at The Music Ninja not at Coachella try to find new ways to cope. We have it on good authority that a little helping of Sunday Night Soul goes a long way. It’s our duty then to deliver you the best in smooth R&B to help you wind down at the end of your weekend. Check out what we have for you below and make sure to follow us on both Spotify and SoundCloud to keep up with our playlists every week!
SoundCloud || Spotify || Spotify Archive
This week we were feeling extra dirty. We’ve got the usual batch of records, but instead of twelve, we’re dropping thirteen, because… well, if you can’t figure out why then you need a calendar. We start the pre-game with tracks from 5 & A Dime and Carter Cruise, then move right into the party with music from some of our favorite producers including HVDES, Birthdayy Partyy, TYNAN and many more. We’re going all night long with these and even though you can’t join us physically, let’s all rage together in our various locations under this one playlist. Party hard, stay safe!
The up and coming creator Midoca out of LA has just released a music video for his new single “Something In The Way” that just might clear a path for him to the top. With this emotive musical/visual package Midoca offers up his most tantalizing project to date.
“Something In The Way” in its audio form is a brooding, cerebral phantasm of shadowy tones and textures. It’s gloomy mood infiltrates your body and gives you chilled, lasting goosebumps. The video does much of the same, pushing mystifying imagery into your eyeballs that stick to the screen as though they were glued. Overall the video is very simple, but sometimes – including this time – there’s extraordinary power in its minimalism. If you’re looking to get a copy of “Something In The Way” then head on over to the digital platform of your choice.
The first ever FEAR THE FORTY compilation has come through the pipeline. Volume one comes with four tracks from the 40oz Cult crew with enough grimy bass to last for two or three times that amount. If you’re the type that likes to headbang to unquestionably dirty beats, this is just the project for you.
The project kicks off with STRIX’s “The Asylum” with its strong riddim swing that captures your attention and groove from the get go. Subject 31 jumps in next with a more toned down sound, one that you still grind to, but without the aggressive edges of the previous track. Next the rough and ready sound comes back in full force with the collaboration between CODD DUBZ and SWAYD. Lastly, one of the 40oz Cult leaders in HAMi closes things out with “DESTROY” that does just that – destroy your speakers with its beastly cuts. If you’ve got the heart for it, FEAR THE FORTY is available on Beatport!
It seems as though Birthdayy Partyy have an unlimited cache of quality remixes. Their latest calls for more than just snapping your fingers, it needs your whole body. That’s right, we’re talking “Snap Yo Fingers” by Lil Jon, the 2006 classic.
When Birthdayy Partyy drop something, it’s hard to guess where they’re gonna go. You’d think with this hip-hop hit they’d go trap, but to our surprise they went all out with a bassy G-house production. It’s not what you’d expect, but it blows you out of the water with its vivid grooves. Leave it to these twins to knock your socks off. And as usual, they released this one as a free download.
We’re proud to share with you that PatrickReza returns with his new single “Rabbit Hole” alongside WOMP! This limited time free download is a must have – even if you’re not into downloading files anymore, your digital library or playlist will be much better off with this one inside it.
“Rabbit Hole” pushes a bass-driven house sound, one that is pure energy perfect for all the festivals that are upcoming. From the sound design to the structure to all the finite details, this record has it all going for it. Once you get near the end, they turn up the heat even further, which isn’t something you’d think could happen from how this record is already. But somehow they manage and it is FIRE!
The duo PRXZM return to the Lowly Palace imprint with their original single “Queen of Hearts.” This retro-inspired tune hits all the right notes and will be your go-to choice for when you’re in need of some good vibes.
Lowly Palaces drops a ton of different styles and we’re glad to see them go this route in taking on such a swell song from the talented PRXZM. “Queen of Hearts” quickly captures your attention with the vocal chops that lead into the rest of the riveting record. It feels like a classic dance track, but it just came out. This timeless feel is exactly why we’re in love with it.
It’s been a while since Bad Royale dropped something as hard as “Hot Steppa” with Future Fambo. They’ve dropped top quality tracks, but going this heavy isn’t something we’ve heard from them in recent times. It’s good to see them back at it with this Dim Mak release.
“Hot Steppa” keeps with the group’s Caribbean sound, but they just take it in a bit of a different direction infusing hybrid trap elements into the mix. This dirty foray doesn’t derail the song, rather it gives it some depth and unique direction. Starting from a more dancehall style and moving things to the borders of dubstep is quite a nice touch that only these bad boys could pull off.
The duo LMBO dropped their second single recently and we couldn’t be more hyped. “Dysphoria” is a certified gem pushing the midtempo electro sound together with cuts of soul and pop. Best of all, it’s been released as a free download by ILLICIT.
LMBO’s first single “Fake It” was nothing like “Dysphoria” but both are equally as dope. This flexing of creative ability is something that will pay dividends in the long run for these two talented individuals. “Dysphoria” boasts some solid energy, most specifically with the unforgettable bassline in the chorus. There’s plenty of more elements that make this what it is, so you’ll just have to dig in and enjoy the details!
A trifecta of talent has come together to give us the memorable single “Reminds Me.” Dan Bravo, Nakala and PVCIFY brought together a host of sounds to form their dynamic original whose pop sound could take this one to the radio airwaves.
“Reminds Me” isn’t just a straight up pop record as it pushes R&B and electronic flavors through for a song that is anything but flat. There’s nuance to every piece of this minimalist work. Not only is it a great track to listen to, but if you’re someone who actually digests lyrics, then you’ll be taken in by what Nakala has to say in this. “Reminds Me” is something a lot of us out there can connect to!
“Russian Doll” is the latest single from producer/composer SOKOL. With the cinematic, ethereal single comes a music video that is equally as touching. Together they work to stimulate the senses in a unique way. The song’s calm, but impactful sound is reminiscent in the music video’s character, one that juxtaposes black and white imagery with bursts of color. It’s a project that is more than meets the eye – and ear – so have at this one and pick apart the details. If you’re looking for a copy, “Russian Doll” is available on digital platforms today.
“The song is about how people deal with pain and emotions and how we react to them. In a world of instant access and information overload our senses are becoming dull. The only way to re-access one’s emotional state and deal with pain is to turn into oneself.”
– SOKOL
The Belgian duo JUICY has released their debut EP Cast A Spell as they attempt to expand their popularity from Europe to the rest of the world. Their iconic retro-infused R&B sound has satisfied the ears of so many in and around their home, but the worldwide appeal is obvious.
JUICY’s Cast A Spell comes in at five tracks deep. These two ladies certainly know how to put together a captivating project as each track embodies a different mood and tone, giving the overall project a lot of depth. They mash together familiar sounds with new twists and turns, keeping things fresh, but in focus. If the duo was looking to actually cast a spell, they succeeded in it taking hold of us.
Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast recorded and broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm from 4-6PM PST every Friday.
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With rain coming down in SF, this week’s episode came together just at the right time. After a multiple year hiatus, The Music Ninja’s weekly Sunday Night Soul returned last weekend. To celebrate, I had Ninja Baseer put together the first couple segments with a mix of soulful, forward-leaning R&B tunes. After touching on the dissociative pysch rock of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s latest album, the remainder of the show was dedicated to hazy, lo-fi house. Anchored by a selection Ross From Friends stellar Brainfeeder debut, the last hour hits right in the late night feels.
After a nearly three year long hiatus, last week we decided to finally revive one of our favorite series here at The Music Ninja. In case you missed it, or if you’re new around these parts, Sunday Night Soul is a weekly series focused around bringing you the best in R&B from around the web to help you wind down at the end of your weekend. This time around, we’re also making the playlists available on SoundCloud and Spotify, so remember to follow us on both platforms if you don’t want to miss out!
By the way, this week I guest curated the latest episode of Music Ninja Radio. If you’d like a little bonus edition of Sunday Night Soul, check out the archive here, featuring new singles from Kali Uchis, Sabrina Claudio, Alina Baraz, ODIE and more. Also, make sure to tune in live every Friday from 4-6 PM PST!
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