Each week we’ll be partnering with The QR Network to compile a short weekly recap of notable tracks that we didn’t have time to cover during the previous week. We hope you enjoy our selection and if you have any tracks you’d like to see here, please feel free to use our contact form or post your suggestions in the comments.
JAGGS – Al Capone
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/486736158″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Bringing back their original bounce sound along with their future bounce flare from their recent bootleg pack, JAGGS is here to take you on a quirky journey through Italy with “Al Capone.” There’s a lot going on in the drops and some truly strange mashing of acapellas. Overall, it’s nothing if not unique and it’s great to see them continuing to evolve their sound into different genres while adding in different influence. If you want to learn more about JAGGS, click here to read our exclusive interview!
81/100
BonRen – Evil Boy
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/486548310″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Coming from TBR’s label is a true gem of a dark progressive house tune. There are two, distinct breakdowns which build upon each other and the drops have effects We’ve personally never heard used in this way. The melodies are strong and the higher tempo as well as the syncopation in the leads makes for an insane drop. This structure and power paired with strong melodies makes for a fantastic festival tune. Our only complaint is that the acapella used is the same from Maydro’s “Evil,” which is also an amazing track.
90/100
Snavs – Get Away
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/486837702″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
“Get Away” is a prime example of good ideas run into the ground due to lack of progression and meaningful development. Snavs has put together some really memorable elements but apparently couldn’t think of anything else to compliment it with to stretch this out into an interesting full-length song. The sirens are effective at first but become an annoyance by the second breakdown. There are three drops, all of which are indiscernible from each other. On their own, they’re completely danceable and infectious, but they lose their steam on the third time around. It’s a shame that these ideas were put together in this way, otherwise this could have been a truly great tune.
71/100
Khrebto feat. Swedish Red Elephant – Redemption
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/480512556″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
This track really knows how to make a build using original vocals, soft chording, and a brass-like synth all leading up to an extremely fresh drop with rhythmic variations and those new future bass additions. Adding in those future bass elements is absolutely the new direction for progressive house to go into. While classic progressive house, using future bass synths and tactics is the new thing and this track exemplifies how to put all those elements together in just the right way. Sadly, this track doesn’t add much of anything new in the second half but the ideas were great.
85/100
TV Noise – Scream
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/483166593″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
TV Noise has sort of settled into a groove for better or for worse. “Scream” is very similar to their previous tracks, “808” and “Weird” as it follows the same structure, has the same tone, and uses similar sounds. “Scream” lacks some of the uniqueness as it’s the third time around that they’ve used these sounds and it doesn’t add much of anything new to their style. It is excellently mastered with amazing sound design as always, but this one is weighed down by its predecessors which has much better melodies. It’s a solid offering, but it definitely feels like it’s time for some change or more meaningful variation to the TV Noise formula.
74/100
Barely Alive – Devil’s Tower
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/485061633″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
“Odyssey” is an amazing album with all sorts of genres and tempos and proves to be a serious tour de force from Barely Alive. “Devil’s Tower” is a bass house offering with a cinematic intro that cleanly transitions into the hard bass drop filled with fist-pumping energy. Essentially it’s taken the success of riddim and transposed it into a lower tempo which works very effectively here. The second break quickly takes you back into the action and brings this amazingly bass-filled second drop with trap rhythms and bass swipes. It becomes a bit overpowering but it’s a crazy ride from start to finish.
89/100
Tom & Jame – Moneymaker
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/484831842″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
The vocals are processed perfectly to maintain those old-timey vibes while making them sound like they belong in a modern track. The drops have a new-age bounce to them with some very energetic synths which fit perfectly within the mix. There is a bit of Brazilian bass influence which lends to its high energy and some killer swing to top it all off. The second break goes into tribal mode which fits in surprisingly well despite feeling like it came out of left field at first. There is some very interesting melodic riffing going on in the background as well. The second drop doesn’t offer much more than the first, but it’s still very fun to listen to.
84/100
QUIX & Vincent – Hero (feat. David Shane)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/486876630″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
“Hero” is the EDM equivalent of an R&B artist teaming up with a hard rapper, sort of like Justin Timberlake partnering with Jay-Z for “Suit and Tie.” It sort of works, but at the same time, it sort of doesn’t. Instead of Jay-Z’s hard rap flows, we have QUIX flexing his production prowess and bass sounds which doesn’t entirely go with the tone set by the vocals from David Shane. This track ultimately feels like it could have benefitted from more powerful vocals that match the tone of the extremely well made bass-sections of the track. The second drop feels especially out of place with its high intensity sounds and rhythms.
78/100
Valentine & Xavi – Harmony (feat. Harvie)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/486394677″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
“Harmony” is such a simple name for a song but it fits so well to what Valentine, Xavi, and Harvie have made together. It starts off with the sounds of a train mixed in with the sounds of the passengers and surroundings. It paints a beautiful picture with no words. Then Harvie’s gorgeous vocals kick in leading up to a very sharp and melodic future bass drop which sounds very fresh and fits in with the buildup to it. What’s strange is that the second drop is more melodic and slightly less energetic than the first but it seems as though this song was made to be the perfect outro to any DJ set as it closes out with more atmospheric sounds and a beautiful melodic finish.
86/100
We hope you enjoyed our recap of selected songs from last week. If there is a song that you felt should have been on here, be sure to leave it in the comments below and we’ll do our best to give our take on it. Certain songs were not included because they will be covered in more detail in the following days so make sure you’re following our social media pages to see all of our latest posts!
In case you missed it, here are the songs and stories we covered last week!
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Moguai – Mammoth (Futuristic Polar Bears Remix)
Mike Vallas – Tired (ft. Adeane)
Hardwell & Maddix – Bella Ciao
Sidney Samson & Gwise – Soldier
Mandy Jiroux – Running Out Of You (John Christian Remix)
Tom Tyger vs. Charles B & VCTRY – One Too Many
CALVO & DAZZ feat. K.O. – Wind Me Up
Exclusive Interview with JAGGS
This recap was provided in part by The QR Network which is a blog for interviews with producers and DJs such as Husman, VillanZ, Pharien, Gustaf Bjornberg, Jordan Jay, and Protohype to name a few.
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment