#tchnclr

THEM is a collaboration between previously featured TCHNCLR and Figaro the Kid. They released their first set of tracks this past July, and, in a word, it is harsh.

The Mixtape Vol. 1 is pounding an incessant, bold and brash, and on top of that, queer as fuck. The beats are heavily influenced and sampled from electronica acts, and in this mixtape they are manipulated and mixed together to create tracks that are at times so skull pounding, Skrillex would be jealous. And this is not a bad thing.

"Niños" and "Dope" both sound like a hammer being hit against your head at times, but that makes them perfect for a club or party. "Dope" in particular features a great use of chiptune, and it meshes well not only with the other samples, but with rapping as well, which is sometimes not an easy thing to do with that genre. However, "Money 2.0" has the best beat on the album. Reminiscent of the killer double time section of Tyga's "Make It Nasty" (although the specific beat I'm referring to might come from a remix. Research is inconclusive), the track practically begs you to dance. And that's kind of what the whole album seems to be about. Getting people up and together and dancing. You don't listen to THEM alone in your room on some cheap earbuds while you write your term paper (although, more power to you if you can manage that). This is stuff you blast in the car with your friends, or at a massive house party while everyone's dancing and trying to shout the verses as quick as TCHNCLR and Figaro do.

Samples are everywhere on The Mixtape Vol. 1 and used to great affect. There are those that are less surprising, but still utilized amazingly: M.I.A, Diplo, Major Lazer, etc...but there's also a surprise or two. A synth track from Tegan and Sara's "Relief Next To Me" is used in "Batty Cat," and while it is just a short loop that provides a base for most of the song, it's pretty inspired and awesome to see the use of an artist not really worked into a lot of mash-ups or used as a sample. Azealia Banks, of recent (and not so recent) Twitter controversy (see a post I reblogged recently for more extensive thoughts from others on that situation), is used extensively on "Fuck Up The Fun (Dandy vs. Azealia Banks BFF edit)" providing multiple verses. She's worked into the song quite intelligently, as the samples play as a hangout between Azaelia and Figaro (if it's TCHNCLR, I apologize). It's pretty funny, and a great track on top of that.

Lyrically most of the verses, much like the music, are harsh. They're confrontational and in your face, throwing shade and not taking any shit, just dishing it out. A lot of them are spit incredibly quick, and without lyrics it was hard to catch them all, but most are brash and clever. They roll their eyes at Sleigh Bells and call bullshit on homophobic rappers. 

Say hello to Dandy's new unit SYMMETRAP with French producer TKNIK!

The duo are gearing up for their first EP, slated for release on Monsieur Adi's Technofavrik label. It will feature re-vamped versions of the TCHNCLR demos Pills and Strawberry along with some new bangers. In the meantime, check out TKNIK's remix of Bread Up for a sneak peek. If you haven't already, get into Dandy's 1st mixtape under his solo project, TCHNCLR, TEENAGE MAGICK.