The Daily Frequency (6/30/15)
–Written by Kevin Madert
Another day, another deluge of musical happenings. If we missed a piece of music-related news that blew your mind, let us know in the comments!
1. From the “better late than never” department, technology übercompany Apple threw their hat into the digital streaming ring with the launch of Apple Music. Users are granted unlimited access to the tens of millions of songs in Apple’s formidable library for a monthly fee ($9.99 for individuals, $15.99 for a family account that allows up to six simultaneous users). While we’ll probably be given all sorts of exclusives thanks to Apple’s deep pockets and industry clout – Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, for example, will be available for streaming for the first time ever via Apple Music – the service still lacks in some areas – there’s not much social interaction (a lá Spotify) and the music streams in 256kbps (320kbps is the norm). The company is offering free three month trials for all first-time users, so you can decide for yourself if Apple Music is the next big thing or simply another lackluster wave (*cough* Tidal *cough*). (via Time)
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New Tune Tuesday (4/14/15)
–Written by Kevin Madert
Gramatik – Native Son (Ft. Raekwon & Orlando Napier)
The lead single from Gramatik’s upcoming Epigram EP sees the Slovenian teaming with an emerging talent and an established hip-hop legend to craft a too-smooth instant classic. The juxtaposition of frequent collaborator Orlando Napier’s syrupy tones and rapper Raekwon’s incendiary verses atop seriously sensual riffage amounts to some of Gramatik’s best work. The often humble producer seemed almost as excited as we were about the tune: “I’m sure you can imagine how some random kid from Slovenia must feel, realizing he just made a song with a legend.” (via Facebook)
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New Tune Tuesday (1/13/15)
–Written by Kevin Madert
Jax From The Future – 3015
Many of us spend large portions of our lives worrying about “the future,” – this intangible period of time that’s consistently laid out before us but impossible to lay our hands on. Then there are those of us who possess such innate talent and tastemaking ability that such fears are rendered irrelevant. Friend of the blog Jax From The Future falls into the latter category, and his newest tune “3015” showcases not only his production range but his desire to dive headfirst into the unknown, leading the charge rather than waiting for another artist to pave the way. The four-minute tune traverses a taut tightrope, balancing the structural framework of future bass against subtle but present deep house stylings. The lengthy intro sees Jax testing out his MIDI drum prowess (a skill he’s recently added to his live arsenal), altering the feel of the tune multiple times without making any drastic shifts in tempo. By the time the drop kicks in with those quasi-upbeat, shuffling synths (think Two Fresh with darker intentions) you’re immersed in the sonic realm of the song, something he has a nifty knack for accomplishing. Because he calls home the place many of us fear, Jax From The Future gives us novel and forward-thinking music by default – a feat that finds bloggers like myself counting the days until his next release.
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Frequencies of 2014: Bass/Beats
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
End of year “best-of” lists are a funny thing. First off, they’re entirely subjective – unless you rank based upon sales, which we all know is often the least relevant factor when considering a work’s merits. Second, they’re often far too ambitious and broad in scope. “The 50 Best Songs of The Year” looks good on the top of Rolling Stone’s website, but what the fuck does that actually mean? The editors and content compilers didn’t listen to every single release from January 1 to December 31, and even if they had there’s no way they could sort through the sheer volume of material and pick the definitive top 50. (Side note: Rolling Stone’s #2 song of the year was “Turn Down For What,” so their grasp on the definition of the word “best” is questionable.)
In my mind, a “best-of” list should mutually benefit the writer and the reader. Rather than futilely attempt to decide which songs or albums or artists were the indisputable winners, these lists should be cross-sections of the year in their respective musical spheres. I’m not here to be the pompous judge over some imagined contest that you signed yourself into appearing in solely by releasing music in the last calendar year. I’m just here – as always – to share the music I enjoyed too much to not talk about with anyone who’d like to hear it.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 1: The Funky Shit
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
Here’s the first in a series of playlists we’ll be running weekly via Spotify: our Weekend Warm-Ups. Averaging ten songs, clocking in at around an hour in length, we’re envisioning these collections finding your ears as you zoom home from work, or as your early evening pregame escalates towards whatever may be the main event. It’s not like you need help getting stoked for the 48 hours you wish lasted all week, but we figure a kick-ass soundtrack can’t hurt.
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