#sara splitopen

MADDEN - Make It Go Away EP

Dark electronic wizard and all around banger-maker MADDEN recently released a deliciously synth-y beat driven EP entitled Make It Go Away. The scope of MADDEN's music is wide ranging and encompasses elements of post-witch, hip hop, and experimental bass. 

Make It Go Away fully showcases the various sound sculpting talents of MADDEN, from trappy hip hop "See Mad Signs" (which features the always awesome SIGNS), to the experimental synth heavy "Mass", to the dark dance vibes of "Make It Go Away."

My personal favorite off the entire thing (which is amazing all around) is Kava, a bass heavy slow dripping track just barely under 3 minutes and sounds like a slice of pure dream. 

MADDEN is one of those artists in which one can never be sure what genre he'll put his personal stamp on next but guaranteed it will be worth checking out. 

▲NDRΛS - 1000 Knives

▲NDRΛS recently premiered a track titled "1000 Knives" off the upcoming "Infernal" album, soon to be released on Phantasma Disques. A blend of industrial beat influences plus ethereal synth lines, 1000 Knives is a gorgeous piece, and a good indication that "Infernal" will be an amazing album. 

One of the recurrent themes I love in ▲NDRΛS's work is the combination of dark tones with soothing melodic tones; it is a style that evokes a haunting beauty. 

Ever since I first heard Ten of Swords (which I listened to on repeat for a good week) I've kept an eye out for new work from ▲NDRΛS and I'm always impressed by his ability to elicit a visceral experience in his songs. There is always a prominent feeling of emotion and I find that very interesting within electronic music, which can sometimes feel very structured and coldly synthetic; instilling an organic flow and naturalness is no easy task but one he does very effectively. 

"Infernal" will be released on August 26th and available for pre-order on August 13th. 

CRIM3S-STAY UGLY-BLVCK CEILING RMX by BLVCK CEILING

CRIM3S - STAY UGLY (BLVCK CEILING REMIX)

BLVCK CEILING recently dropped a banging remix one of my favorite songs from this year, Stay Ugly from the lovely Crim3s. The piece is a darkened twist on the original with skillful chopping and classic Blvck flair complete with buzzing saws and snapping snares. 

BLVCK CEILING is an incredibly prolific producer and the Crim3s remix is one of the many he's released this year, all of which can be found on his bandcamp page. Blvck is currently working on 3 concept albums based on the work of director Nicolas Winding Refn, which I am definitely looking forward to as his last concept album Bastian, based on The Neverending Story, was beautifully done. 

cathedrals - Ocean Charity

Cathedrals is a duo with influences ranging from ethereal wave to ambient. Their sound is a juxtaposition between beauty and darkness and they state their aim as "to contrast dark and light sounds." Their song "Ocean Charity" is a blend of haunting melodies and barely-there verby vox plus heavy bass and druggy beats. 

The cathedrals project began in April of this year and so far they only have two pieces on their soundcloud page but both showcase an interesting and evocative soundscape that I am looking forward to hearing more of in the future. 

Shlohmo - Bo Peep (Do U Right) ft. Jeremih (BLK SMK NIGHTCORE EDIT)

BLK SMK makes killer beats with influences ranging from trap to jazz. His most recent Soundcloud gem is a Nightcore edit of Shlohmo’s Bo Peep (Do U Right) ft. Jeremih. 

Only recently have I heard of Nightcore, and from what I can determine it’s sped up chop n screw. There’s something maniacally addictive about it: voices approaching chipmunk levels, frenzied cut-ups, all things bouncy and foot-tap inducing. 

BLK SMK’s edit is entrancing and I’ve already added to my “yeayeayea awesome funtimes” summer jams list. 

Zomby - W I T H L O V E

Sometimes a song can hold an entire world within its atmosphere. Zomby's W I T H L O V E feels like a moment caught between waking and sleep, something beautiful but just out of reach. Dark, hazy, and silky tones that weave around the listener until one becomes lost in the sound.

The minimalism of the piece combined with the stark repetitive flow causes a form of enchantment. It's a 4am soundtrack, a glimpse, a haunting. 

While some prefer bangers to smash the dance floor in two, I prefer to break my head in two. Music is the great dissolver, out of body experiences for all, no time no self. I listen to music to obliterate my ego.

When does sound traverse the barrier of aurally pleasing to consciousness melting? Something within it must reach through the gunk of thought, and pierce a wordless place, a secret spot that allows full immersion.

In order to be changed one must be malleable. To accept the journey one must also accept the possibility and likelihood of getting lost. The depths of sound our aim, to reach the heart’s flame.

We will be exploring the science and the magic of what happens in our brains and bodies when we hear sound.

<a href="http://maxbeta.bandcamp.com/album/the-lost-vol-i" data-mce-href="http://maxbeta.bandcamp.com/album/the-lost-vol-i">THE LOST (VOL.I) by BLVCK CEILING</a>

BLVCK CEILING is one of those insanely prolific artists that seems to release new work every month. The most recent addition to his output is The Lost (Vol. 1) – a collection of older trax and previously unreleased material. The “Vol. 1” of course can only lead to the logical conclusion that The Lost will be a series with new additions popping up in the near future.

This collection showcases what Blvck does best: warped samplings, heavy bass, and driving beats. For me the stand-out tracks of The Lost are: TW1N P34KS, GREY, and GIRL MONEY. Each song encompasses its own world, sometimes gorgeous and haunting (TW1N P34KS), other times dark and foreboding (GREY). Throughout all of Blvck Ceiling’s work there is a common current of despair and loss; seeing the strange beauty in the darkness.

Check out The Lost as well as Blvck’s copious other works at MaxBeta.