Bass enthusiast Darko steps into the limelight with “Definition”

Keeping in line with his producer name, this new up-and-comer has mostly kept any personal details in the dark. Clearly evident, however, is the meticulous sound design and nuanced production choices showcased on Darko’s latest offering, “Definition.” House grooves are paired with dubstep-scented attacks of bass without any fuss—the Goldilocks result is both filthy and bouncy. Darko constantly pokes and prods his sound design throughout the track, keeping it from getting stale. And while low frequency is the name of the game, it’s allowed to breathe within context of other elements—including those subtle, but deadly, snare hits. Despite the obvious preference towards one end of the color spectrum, Darko is poised for a bright future in the bass scene.

Written by Eugene Cheng

AC Slater throws a groovy spin on GRiZ's "Before I Go"

The creator of Night Bass AC Slater returns with another house classic, this time remixing electro-funk king GRiZ's track "Before I Go." Slater makes clever use of Leo Napier's vocals, chopping up those vowels to create a groove that flows fluidly with a fast-paced house drum beat. He even manages to throw in glimpses of GRiZ's notorious saxophone solos, including them in the both the build and occasionally as fills in the drop. One of the most interesting aspects of this song I noticed was it seemed like AC Slater sampled Mario's fireball noises or created a synthesized version of them, taking me back to the innocence and carefree-ness of childhood. In light of all the recent political events, it's comforting to notice GRiZ's message being spread across different mediums/genres, as noticed in the lighthearted, feel-good tone of the music and the inclusiveness symbolized in the art. 

Written by Raghav Thirumulu

New remix of Autograf song is “bad and BIJOU”

Fresh off appearances at EDC and Electric Forest, the self-proclaimed G House Guru has a new cut—this time, a remix of Autograf’s “You Might Be.” If the original track is the angelic hand guiding you to divine salvation, then BIJOU’s makeover is its hedonistic, physically repugnant twin. Leave this song on for too long and you’ll feel morally obligated to take a cold shower afterwards. Fun fact: the vertical string of Chinese characters on the cover art roughly translates to “you might be the death of me,” which is the refrain performed by Lils in the original. The harrowing symphony of low-pitched vocal samples and that back-and-forth bass reminds you that you’re already dead. So why not live a little?

Written by Eugene Cheng

tekla - shake [dirtybird]

Claude Vonstroke's label Dirtybird returns for their annual barbecue tour and their latest track serves a booty-popping tech house single for the first course. Liverpool-based producer Tekla is featured as one of the labels latest recruits, and the talent is undeniable; Tekla cooks up a fresh house beat combining underground garage-style vibes and unique percussive elements to make you "shake what yo mama gave ya." Dirtybird's events are well-known for attracting the best crowds with plenty of positive energy and space to dance to keep you vibing throughout the day. Keep on the lookout for a BBQ near you, with upcoming tour locations including Las Vegas on May 20th and San Francisco on June 4th. Also stay tuned for their annual Campout festival, a 3-day event in August in Silverado, CA. 

Written by Raghav Thirumulu

sonny banks & stereoliez - molly breath

Tchami's label CONFESSION continues to dominate the house game with a fresh single titled "Molly Breath" from Sonny Banks and Steroliez. Featuring the vocalist from Knife Party's "Internet Friends," the track provides the perfect atmosphere for dancefloor filth by combining rapid hi-hats and riders with heavy bass saturation to give it the grittiness characterized by the label. The quality of this song is no surprise as CONFESSION has consistently released amazing material. Keep an eye out for these young house hitters including Dombresky, Brohug, and Dustycloud.  

Written by Raghav Thirumulu

goldlink and kaytranada return for groovy single "meditation"

“Meditation” opens up with an immediate taste of Kaytranada’s distinct groove: a slower, more mellow version of house filled with acoustic-sounding basslines and succinct hats to keep you on your toes. Kaytranada's production provides a very suitable platform for Goldlink’s blues-infused flow to shine as he portrays the classic dynamic between a man and woman attempting to gain each other’s attention. This dynamic is especially noticed in the incorporation of Jazmine Sullivan into the chorus - the back-and-forth arrangement between Goldlink’s verse and Sullivan’s vocals sets the perfect tone for a couple to share a dance together, especially when they join together for a melodic harmony. Check it out below!

Written by Raghav Thirumulu / Edited by Spencer Vogel