Look.. Another day, another dollar. Another day, another blog post. Now that I have been working for what most people my age would consider a fair amount of time (20 months of full time work over 4 months), I can safely say that you feel a certain amount of invincibility when you get paid every second week. It is that extra security, that extra padding in your bank account that will usually cause you to make an ill-advised purchase and spend a little more than you were planning to at the local strip club. Not that this is a problem, after all the saying goes, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

Now my strife of the week… I was born and raised in what most people would consider a small town (80 000 people). Now that might sound like an alarming high number to some folk but when I can safely safe there is essentially no civilization for 3.5 hours in any direction, you can classify it as a small town. Now in this small town you are allowed a certain amount of jaywalking, or just crossing half the street as you wait for the oncoming car to pass. Basically, it boils down to basic traffic control and behavior. I have been living in Toronto for a few weeks now and drivers here suck more ass than they do back home (mind you pedestrians always think drivers suck). I’m walking across the road at 730am when I don’t have a walk signal. I cross half the road and stop, staring at the oncoming car waiting for him to pass.. He stops, honks his horn, and swears and gets out of his car. Maybe I’m not used to Toronto culture yet or maybe there can’t be much trust placed in the majority of pedestrians here (probably the case) but I am pretty damn sure that a person that is staring at your car isn’t going to run in front of your car and yell “PEEKABOO” and take an early trip to the grave.

Anyways, blah blah blah, my blog is about music as well as being an outlet for all the things that piss me off or make me happy on a day to day basis. Let me know how you feel about this. I guess if I put the shoes on the other feet, I can kind of see his point, but noooo, the shoes don’t fit me.. That’s always the problem. Really though, I used roller blades that were 4 sizes to small a few weeks ago and I have real nasty roadrash to show for it.

TUNESSSSSSSSS BELOW!

J. Rabbit - Shot Of Bruschotti

Who the hell is J. Rabbit? And what the hell is bruschotti? Can’t tell you I know other than it is of Italian decent. But the track is a beast in its own right and wouldn’t you know it, it was released for freeee. This is one of those tracks that balances so many elements in a pure evil equilibrium. BPM switch up, synths clashing and smashing each other in their figurative faces. After this, I definitely want a shot of whatever bruschotti is.

Felix Cartal - Fin

The last track off of Felix Cartal’s sophomore album, Different Faces, has a fitting name. My god I love this. The drop incorporates what I make out to be  a chopped up, looping voice clip. The intro starts out and you’re like, “cool man this is glitchy, this is revolutionary house”. Then all of a sudden you are prompted with dramatic piano hums, and then the looping synth comes back, and then the drum kicks get faster and faster letting you know the drop is coming and then….. AHHH. (Bonus hint, you may have noticed in Feazy’s tracks the drops have different patterns after each 4 bar set, see if you can catch it)

Etienne De Crecy - Binary

This is an oldie. One that has been saved from back in the days where I would keep multiple techno playlists on Youtube. When I went back to check these playlists for a good ole nostalgic romp, this was one of the only ones that hadn’t been ripped off of Youtube and taken down. So I listened, remembered the second half of the song (the buildup and drop, as I have said so many times in the past) and then I found a full quality version and play it loud as I can. Also you nerds (myself included) should try to crack what the 1 0 1 1 0 chanting translates to.

Jacques Lu Cont - Church

Funky disco house origins… Infused with a slap happy deep ass bass line.. Some vocal chanting that would remind you of the days of the Ancient Catholic church.. That is the recipe for Jacques Lu Cont’s big banger. Guaranteed you will have the main hook solidified in your mind before the song finishes even once. The chords pulse only to accentuate the strong bass line and I tell you… I guarantee that you will be singing electronic sounds. This song does that.

The one that I found a couple days ago but isn’t officially released yet but I had to post anyways because it is a monster and makes me wish I had more ear hairs:

Felix Cartal - Black To White (Clockwork Remix)

I just realized that I post a lot of Felix Cartal. Well that is a bold faced lie because I knew I did it this whole time. But can you blame me. His originals spit hot fire, his remixes chill you to the bone, and his tracks are perfectly remixable for the man they call Clockwork. These two young guns are currently on a massive North American tour and this track has been absolutely decimating clubs. The siren kills it; the oldest sample in the book. It drops this nasty sound and the siren gives you a perfect excuse to pump your fist. But wait it isn’t over, the siren pumps up to a level over 9000 and makes you want to rip your arm out of its socket and launch it high in the air.

-MG

My goodness, I have missed just sitting down and writing a lot of pointless jibber jabber that might make some sort of coherent sense at the end. I missed being able to state ridiculous hyperboles and compare things that should not be compared. I have missed writing things that make your mind imagine things you never thought possible or maybe you thought possible but never really thought someone could think the same thing.

Regardless, I’m sure you are all used to the whole “OMG IMMA BACK YALL” and then you receive the nastiest and gloriest tunes for the next few months before I fall back into purgatory and struggle to find my way out until the trainman comes to pick me up and delivers me to the front door of the intrawebs (slight Matrix reference anyone). But that stuff doesn’t seem to affect you Electrodroidians.. No, no it doesn’t. People still come back, yearning for a day where they load up this page and there is a new comical and/or disturbing photo waiting for them along with a few tracks for the best appendage on the body (now that could be an interesting grudge match, if you know what I mean).

So for this one, I give you songs that might not have been released last week but ones that have marinated in the most delicious marinade you could imagine. Is it bacon and beer, or is it perhaps a garlic and onion, or maybe even that secret Don Malon 8 Spive Blend you hear your great uncle Marnie talk about all the time. Long story short, these have survived the rigours of my library for a few months now. If they can do that, and you know what Electrodroid stands for, then you know these mafackers are legitimate.

Angger Dimas & Bassjackers - RIA

Om nom nom, who doesn’t like a big batch of progressive buildup that preps you from what is likely another one of those so called big room anthems. But no, it goes in a direction that I thoroughly love.. The out of left field, dark, grinding bass line that makes you want to put your hips to the floor and flail around like a bunch on Antarctic penguins outrunning a polar bear.

Boys Noize & Erol Alkan - Roland Rat

Back when these two first teamed up and released the still incredible, Lemonade, many people complained about its lack of driving force, its lack of detail, its lack of a hook. Well I see Roland Rat as the natural evolution of them as artists and exemplifies what a couple of octave changes and a well timed drum kick can do for a track. That was some philosophical jargon and I’ll leave you with a song that groooooves. 

Felix Cartal - Triple Deke

A song that has been recently honored with entering my Top 25 Most Played and still a song that will rise up the ranks. I don’t think I have ever skipped over Triple Deke if I hear it come up on shuffle or any playlist for that matter. It recently made me awake from a dead nap and had me madly waving my arms around, snapping them back and forth trying to emulate some sort of multijointed robot. The way the lead slaps on the drums kicks just makes me go wild… And as what seems to be a continued tradition in electro, the second drop just adds that SLIGHT tweak to throw you off and make you wonder, “woah that shit just got real”

Rusko - Opium

Start with a nom nom, end with a yum yum. I think I’ve used this meme before but hell, I don’t always listen to dubstep but when I do it is UK style dubstep. None of this so-called Transformers-having-sex ear grindage (don’t get me wrong, that can still reach gnarly sound level) but a good ole original wobble cake is always the most delicious. It is the kind of cake you want to smash your teachers face in and its the kind of cake that your teacher wouldn’t even mind. The teacher would even lick their lips and ask for another.

The only track and lied about and I found like 2 days ago:

Albin Myers - Hells Bells (Drumstep Mix)

ENERGY. DRUM AND BASS. ENERGY. You know what. ‘Nuff said (I think I have written enough for today, don’t you?)

-MG

So remember that craze about 4 - 5 years ago where there were these little plastic instruments that were used to play music on a video game. Guitar Hero started a market craze for music games that allowed to essentially play the notes from your favorite songs from the last 5 decades. This spawned over 7 Guitar Hero games and 5 Rock Band games. Now this genre is all but dead, although I am a guilty party for someone who still avidly enjoys the game.

This may be partly due to the fact that every couple weeks, our entire house (7 of us) decide to sit down a belt out a full band rendition of our favorite Rock Band 3 songs. It gets pretty ruckus, especially when vocals are involved. There is always a verse you forget, a pitch you can’t hit, and this results in extreme hilarity for every person involved. As a party game, it still does its job. As I write this, I can hear the ominous hums of Queen and Sum 41 as my girl roommates giggle uncontrollably. Yes, it truly brings us close together.

And then there is the side of the game that drives you to get the highest score possible. My roommate J and I strive for perfection (or in Rock Band’s case, Gold Stars). Myself on Expert Pro Drums, and him on Expert Guitar, we make a compelling case to be the best duo in the history of the world, kind of along the lines of Tenacious D. 

I say to you, brush off the dust of your instruments and play a couple songs. You may be surprised how fun it is. And don’t even use the excuse that you aren’t good. At any one time during our house sessions, we have someone playing on each difficulty level (you might have to turn no-fail mode on though for that certain person that never seems to be able to pass).

Anyways, fresh tracks this week so here is the part of the blog that matters the most, The fucking tunes.

Etienne De Crecy - Am I Wrong (Felix Cartal Remix)

So in my defense, it just happens to be a coincidence that Felix Cartal is dropping bombs in the past few weeks and I would be a fool not to post them on Electrodroid. This tune is courtesy of a remix he did for Etienne De Crecy. Best way to describe this track is calling it a jumpy, glitchy trip through some decently hard hitting electro. He certainly is developing his signature sound and this remix is a sound that isn’t played to a certain grave in the EDM world.

Albin Myers - Hells Bells

HEAVY SYNTHS ATTACK. I’ve been waiting for a track like this for a while. A wholehearted heavy ass bass that will make any dance floor move but at the same time not turning it into a mosh pit of doom. AC/DC would be proud to have a track like this live up to the legacy of the track name. Seriously, the word “rage” gets tossed around a lot in this day in age of electronic music, but I can safely use it while describing the energy on this track.

Miike Snow - Paddling Out

I was incredibly torn between posting the original or the newly released Wolfgang Gartner remix. It was hard due to my extreme admiration for Wolfgang’s tracks and the fact that it was a solid remix. But in a world where catchiness rules, the original gets top marks. You’ll be singing the chorus over and over again in your head. Nothing complex on the electro front in this guy, but I certainly couldn’t give a shit, it sounds freaking awesome.

Datsik & Kill The Noise - Lightspeed

Now this is the kind of dubstep I love. You can call it electrostep if you want but it is a type of track that isn’t reliant on the huge wobbles and bone crushing bass. Its the softer, melodic synths that make Lightspeed such a huge hit for me. It doesn’t hurt that you have two of the biggest names in dubstep as the producers. It also doesn’t hurt that you have a gentlemen agreement with your fellow blog writer, Young Bachelor, allows you to post this baby first (Nothing like a good class wasting tune hunt).

So hello Internet, it certainly has been a while. An unacceptable amount of time but lets not dwell on the point for too long. There is a very deadly disease known to college campuses around the world. This disease is called “procrastination”. It can hit at any time and remain incubated within you for an indefinite period of time. Symptoms include: projects with only the title page completed, a tv show continually playing in the background of your workspace, a constant need to go look in the fridge, or an extremely urge to nap even though you woke up 2 hours ago.

But procrastination is only the tip of the iceberg as an accelerator to this disease is the dreaded “sleep compound”. This can be explained by a simple example of my last couple weeks of living. Its a simple process really and it ends up being a vicious cycle. You go to bed late, you wake up early, that is the premise. Last week I spent the week with friends that were all home for our so-called “spring break” and let me tell you sleep was a resource that was not easily found. With someone constantly tugging at you to go enjoy the wonders of nightlife and some sort of family member consistently waking you up early for some sort of doctors appointment and unnecessary errand. This builds up on your body and can lead to catastrophic effects. This was all topped off with a 2 hour sleep into a 5am car ride back to my university.

Anyways, I think the whole point to this is to say that do not undervalue sleep. You need sleep and consistent sleep at that. I rather sleep 6 hours everyday than be thrown through a 8, 3, 12 hours sleep cycle that leaves me feeling like a complete bum that doesn’t want to do anything productive. I’m sure you all can relate.

Lastly, we have certified fresh tracks that almost anyone with enjoy. Every single one of these tunes is from a producer that you better of heard of by now, if not than hop on the damn bandwagon because these guys are BIIIIIIG. Glad to be back. Unfortunately I provided you with what is likely a nonsensical rant about nothing relevant to everyday life but hell, isn’t that what the internet is for.

Bingo Players - L’Amour

These guys have been nothing short of amazing with their last few releases. Showing they can dabble into any genre that they want too. They even do homages which is exactly what L’Amour feels like. With an intro buildup that is so incredibly Daft Punk-esque you can barely tell that it isn’t Daft Punk. But then the drop comes and Bingo Players is back on the board. Not as catchy as Mode but it provides a hardhitting dance smash.

deadmau5 - Maths

This little guy has been leaked for a while. Hopping around Youtube with different names. But now deadmau5 has finally released this bad boy and it comes with no departure from the usual quality you expect from one of the pioneers of modern day EDM. Progressive house at its finest; its main riff has so many different sounds during the multitude of drops, its a solid listen from start to finish. I used to hate deadmau5 and now I wonder what the hell I was smoking back then.

Wolfgang Gartner - There and Back

I’ve had Wolfgang’s newest release toiling around in my iTunes for a while now but only recently I realized its incredible addictiveness and anthemic nature. Not what you would typically except from this world class producer and I think that is what initially turned me off. But then its big room presence hit me like a pillow case full of bricks. The progression of chords will be stuck in your head for days. You can really tell that this guy takes a lot of time to make sure every single detail of his tracks are up to par with his legacy.

Felix Cartal - Black to White (feat. Miss Palmer)

Oh baby, this is hot of the presses and its play count is already skyrocketing within my own library and presumably many more across the globe. I’ve always found people tend to have an attraction to electronic music that has a chilling vocal addition; I say this because Black to White is the perfect example. In what will be the next single from his new album, Different Faces, this track proves it will have incredible balance from disgusting dance floor killers to fist pumping jumpers to soothing anthems. Following in the wake of Domo and Don’t Turn On The Lights, this is the next addition into a producer who has a monumental reputation to uphold.

-MG

This is going to be somewhat of a different entry, in a few different ways. For the foreseeable future, this will be my (rc’s) final entry. As of late, my activity here has began to slip, but not for a non legitimate reason. For the past few months, I’ve been in the process of joining the Canadian Forces, and tomorrow I’m leaving for my basic training course. I decided instead of writing about myself, and what’s going to happen with me, I’d write about a true friend of mine.

If you’re an active reader of this blog, you’re aware of who makes the magic happen. Matt has been a true bro of mine for nearly 8 years, and I’m truly glad that we decided to combine our efforts and produce electrodroid. When we first started chatting about music, it was pretty much entirely about our favorite band - Death From Above 1979. From there, Matt threw some tracks from some crazy group called “MSTRKRFT” at me. I wasn’t a huge fan. I was knee deep into my “indie rock” phase, blaring tracks from Wolfmother, TAN!, Bloc Party and much more. However, between the sharing of DFA remixes, and MSTRKRFT tracks, I started to enjoy it. Every time I signed on my computer, I’d have a fresh set of tracks from MG, and nearly every track was a beauty. I’m telling you, I’ve discussed music with many, many people in my life, but no one quite gets the quality of a track like MG.

For a few months, we spent out time trying to “DJ” on VirtualDJ, until we started trying to produce some tracks together under the name “big north”. Funny enough, that’s what inspired us to create this blog, our mutual love for awesome fucking music. We’re still trying to produce today, and hopefully we’ll have something soon to show all the readers, but until then, electrodroid will be the prime public venue to find the freshest, addicting tracks.

It’s needless to say that I consider MG one of my best friends, and I’m going to miss him and this blog dearly. However, everyone here is in very capable hands. I’d just like to thank Matt once again though. Thanks for being an inspiration (music and life), and one of the most genuine, loyal, talented dudes I’ve ever had the honor of knowing. Cheers buddy.

Now, let’s check some fucking huge tracks out before I depart! 

Deniz Koyu - Tung!

This has been one of my favorite bangers I’ve heard in ages. I stumbled upon it while jamming to a Dada Life mix, and I instantly fell in love. It’s simplistic in design, but it’s so damn catchy that it will bring even the most awkward of dancers to the middle of the floor. I wasn’t too huge on the appearance of the tenor sax in most “pop” dance music these days (Mr. Saxo Beat, etc), but this track changed that totally. The build, the drop, all of it accounts to one of the biggest tracks of 2011/2012. I promise this isn’t the first time you’ll hear this, as it’s sure to make even bigger waves this coming spring break.

MSTRKRFT - Community Revolution In Progress

If I didn’t quite praise MG enough in my opening rant, then this will add to it. One of the first dance tracks Matt ever introduced to me was this somewhat unknown MSTRKRFT tune. It’s quite an interesting track if you think about it, fusing the best of prog house with some classic MSTRKRFT synths, it surely brings together the best of the two genres I love the most. Throughout the entire 10 minutes of this tune, it evolves from gnarly bassline, to another unreal hook. If you can sit through the entirety of this song and not even tap your foot, you’re not human. Despite it’s 2007 release, this track is still a contender for one of my top 50 electro tracks of all time.

The Bloody Beetroots - Cornelius (Mix Oi!)

Another trip back to the glory days of when I was just a young 16 year old kid, discovering dance music. The Bloody Beetroots have gone through many musical changes from their formation to their present setup as Death Crew. If you’re a DJ looking at this track information, you might look at the BPM and feel that it’s rather slow, but I promise, this is going to be one of the biggest tracks of the night if played. Before all the brostep kids showed up and tried defining what a “raging” track was, THIS was the track you’d see people raging to in clubs. Fidget house never really made it huge in North America, but Bob Rifo sure did something right when he produced this banger. 

Goose - Synrise (Mumbai Science Remix)

When I first heard the track “Synrise” by Goose, I thought it was a fantastic tune, but once I heard what Mumbai Science did to it, I was totally blown away. Plug in some quality headphones, and sit back and listen. The layered synths, the chord progressions, all the makings of a massive tune. The progressive build, paired with the wild drop, makes this yet another electro track that flew somewhat under the radar. 

-RC

And…….. here I come with a followup rant that can’t even come close to the kind words posted by my fellow electro lover. As previously mentioned, for the past 8 years we have shared interests like a couple of brothers would. As his interests evolved, so did mine. As a certain hatred grew on his end, so did mine. As our addiction to certain hobbies increased, well you guessed it, so did mine. Ryan has pretty much described my side of the story as well. Nearly every word, phrase, and sentence that he gave the internet, I have no regrets in reiterating them word by word.

The aspirations to headline Coachella as the duo of Big North may be a dream not worth dreaming. But fun thoughts like those are what get you through the day. RC was always one to randomly message me, hyped up like a little school girl, ready to tell me something amazing, or show me a new track he was working on, or tell me he is finally going to basic training for the Canadian Forces. Now that last one is of special importance because I’ve seen his battle towards this day for a few years now. The highs, the lows and he is finally fucking going to be in the military. That’s called taking the next huge step in your life. You could even say he has reached Phase 2. So I say, when all you go out tonight, give a little self cheers to this mystery man behind the scenes of ElectroDroid. 

You all know by now one of the primary purposes of the post. The second (not nearly as monumental purpose) being that is my Champagne birthday tomorrow. Meaning that I am turning as old as the day that I was born (turning 21 on January 21st). Now this is obviously a one in a life time experience and it falls on a Saturday so I’m pretty stoked. Plus its my 21st birthday which is probably the last great celebratory age until 40. Big plans this weekend and hopefully I can pass my love out to as many people as possible.

I finish by saying good luck and farewell to my friend RC. The driving, unseen catalyst to this blog and one of my most underestimated best friends. Huge ups. So enough with the damn melodrama and enjoy this motherfreaking tracks. We gave you 8 of them so you better find something to love or you are positively screwed.

Blatta & Inesha - My Lady Don’t Mind (Modek Remix)

Well now I have to write about all these tracks and I’ve nearly exhausted my entire literary ability. But I must go on. This Modek remix has been sitting in the “to post” pile for a long ass time. And what a fitting time to unleash it on the world. This one has gotten better with age because the first time I heard it, the track was a certified banger and now I add with confidence an adjective and bump it up to a certified fucking banger.

Afrojack - Show Me Your Rage

A little back story to this one. Stumbled across it as a live rip from Afrojack’s Ultra mix. I was literally intoxicated by it. It prevented me from working an entire afternoon at work because I had it on repeat and I was doing mental fist pumps and mental raging. The title of the track (once revealed in Afrojack’s Lost and Found release) is perfect. Honestly perfect, because that is what the tune makes you do. Yes, the drop is magnificent but as always after the incredibly bouncy breakdown leads you into an orchestral finale, you will be a raving lunatic.

Justice - Stress (Auto Remix)

Shout out to my roommate Krawbs (real name hidden for identity) who follows this blog like his bible and the fact that he is the one that introduced me to this song at least 2 years ago. I always thought Stress was evil and this remix adds about 15 points of villainy to it. As famous as the Jaws theme song is for suspense, this nearly resembles it. Now its time for mental video imaging: a group of 5 kids, dressed in leather blazers, walking through the streets of an urban area, terrorizing everyone in their way; beating up the elderly, spray painting people in the chest, stealing money from the homeless. Ok, that’s not something I thought up on my own. Go to Youtube and check out the video for it. Pure evil.

Wolfgang Gartner - Cognitive Dissonance

We finish off this monumental post with a bonus track from the all loving Weekend In America album. I actually had the privelege to preview this track a couple days before the album was officially released. And boy did it get me hype for the album. I figured if this was a a bonus track then what would the full LP be like. So we have it here; a beautiful fusion of mind numbing piano chords, grooving bass riffs, and anthemic synths. The definition of the track means discomfort in holding ones ideas, beliefs, values, etc. Well after this massive tune, you’ll definitely begin to question the standards you have when it comes to electronic music.

-MG

All you listeners will know all of the tracks in this post. You are thinking to yourself, “that is quite a ludicrous statement. I come to Electrodroid to find songs that I haven’t heard before”. But au contrair mes amis (french fail?), the originals are songs of legends. Ones that defined a generation, another that marked a comeback for the Queen of Pop, another that is a product of the biggest new band of 2011 and the last coming from an artist who had a literal shit ton of radio time. You will know them all but they all come with a brand new, fresh ass coat of electronic paint. Everything from straight up electro house, to darker electro, to a soothing progressive sound and then finishing it off with a high energy disco rager.

I was thinking of my followers for this post. A comment I routinely get is that people would love electronic music more if there were lyrics or remixes of songs they already knew. Well unfortunately those don’t always produce the best sounds as they are typically extremely cheesy and released just for that purpose (to get views and hype, even though it sucks total ass). Anyways, these are massive remixes/bootlegs from some of EDM’s biggest producers including one from a new comer (who hopefully gains some hype from this).

Strap up and ho down.

Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch (Gigi Barocco Bootleg)

The first time I heard this song I really had no idea as to the amount of sexual innuendo that it exhibited. Sure, I understood a few of the lines and clever wordings; but it wasn’t until I became older that I truly knew what they were saying the whole time. Anyways this bootleg gives it a beautiful electro makeover; keeping a majority of the original in its sing along form. Let’s do it doggy style so we can both watch X-files.. classic.

Britney Spears - I Wanna Go (Felix Cartal Bootleg) 

Britney Spears meets Felix Cartal. What an odd mashup and it sounds pretty odd too. The signature Feazy sound is there through and through and Britney’s still tantalizing voice acts as the main hook for the drops. I envision this track being best used in a Rancor mosh pit where everyone must jump up and down and shake their head as vigorously as possible in order to survive. Its pretty wicked when he released it for free in the first place too.

Dev - In The Dark (DJ Kue Remix)

The original has been overplayed to shit which means that there is no way in hell that everyone has not heard this song. So when a solid remix comes along and actually makes me a believer. I must say that Dev’s voice is pretty damn sexy and jerks some chords around within me. That coupled with DJ Kue’s soothing as a smoothie (booo!) chords harmonizing so beautifully.. I can listen to all 7 minutes of this gem. DJ Kue also did a killer remix of Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People.. which brings me to……

Foster The People - Helena Beat (Kreap’s Disco Poison Mix)

There is no exaggeration when I say this tune got me through a full work day once. I stumbled across it when my love for Foster The People was at its peak and Helena Beat was a song I was quite obsessed with. It just so happened to be the time when I was in a huge disco house phase as well. Well hot damn, spank me and call me Sally, the Gods saw opportunity for the ultimate song and came down and gave Kreap’s the ability to produce it. Enjoy because I know there is no way you won’t.

-MG

I give you more, more, more!!! *insert Dr. Evil laugh here followed my Mini Me kicking you in the junk*. Yes, on a side note, I enjoy my fair share of Austin Powers. Toilet humour and sexual innuendos are comedy styles that will never go out of style. Instantly quotable and instantly recognizable. Speaking of such, I dare you all to go watch your favorite Austin Powers movie (Spy Who Shagged Me) and try not to laugh. This also reminds me of what I like to call the “Goldmember” night where I (unintentionally) finished a “beverage” every 10 minutes on the dot throughout the entire movie.

Anyways to the music. I loved the reception to the tracks yesterday so I decided to stick with the same theme but switch up genres a little bit. Tonight we tackle what is officially coined “electro house” as well as “indie dance / nu disco”. To rehash these are tracks you won’t find at your local club but more at that underground club in that dark back alley that you walk by all the time. You know how sometimes the hot girl falls in love with the unpopular geek. Well sometimes the a man who runs an electronic blog falls in love with underground beats. Analogy SUCCESS. Hopefully I can apply it to a few of you as well.

Katzenwaffe - Holy Water

I used to attend church regularly as a child (that’s catholic school for ya) and it was common practice to bless yourself with holy water as you entered and exited church. If the Holy Water then came with the same funky composition as Katzenwaffe’s rendition then I might of preached it a little more. This tune also possesses the all entrancing change-up breakdown which is becoming a not-so-secret obsession of mine. The second half of the song is utter brilliance.

ZZT - Vulkan Alarm!

Evil. How evil do you feel. It doesn’t dive into the deep and dark realms of bouncy bass but has a structure that reminds me of medieval times. It constantly maintains a scratchy sound that covers up what could possibly be other sounds wanting to break out and terrorize the world. Vulkan Alarm is that perfect cover up.. The ultimate villain waiting to expose the world to a place of chaos. Might of went a little overboard there but man, I love this track more and more each time.

autoKratz - Sucker Sirens

Here we go you say. Finally something reminiscent of a real electro banger. This is true. But it is simple and keeps the risers blasting. It is a two tier attack with the first drop fulfilling all needs of a bass blast to ear and then once you’ve seemingly had enough with that fill, it gets naked and puts on a new dress and blasts you in the ass some more. You get me high high. Also the siren part of the track name applies wholeheartedly here.

Felix Cartal - Fish

Now this track falls into the same ordeal as the Adonis track by Boys Noize. When it was released alongside Lazy Bird, I didn’t even bother with Fish. It had no business being on the EP. Then the open mind scampered to the table and presented itself to me and Fish took on a whole new dimension. Don’t let the first drop fool you.. There is much to be heard in the second half of the track. Even loved by my most casual electro listening friends, Fish works and dang na bit I’m glad I didn’t throw this one back in the lake.

-MG

These tracks are definitely cut from a different crop. I’m always hesitant to post tunes of this nature because of the public response to them. They are most certainly ones you are unlikely to hear at a club, or have a buddy blast while you throw a few back, or even stumble across on Youtube. Most of them lying in the realm of techno and tech house (which I suppose could technically be one in the same). These aren’t the kind of tracks which bring incesant amounts of energy or ones that have a bass drop that makes your teeth shatter or one that will form an instant mosh pit on the dance floor… 

No, these productions have that special underground touch to them and are extremely undervalued. Useful for meditation, grinding out a last minute paper, a long walk / drive home or for use with certain hallucinogenic drugs. People will call them weird and say they suck and stop playing them within 30 seconds. I’ve learned you must give these bad boys a full playthrough and an open mind to properly enjoy them. Who knows you might find yourself liking these wwweerirddd tracks.

Umek - Split

A sound I have been digging for the last week or so. A track that never really produces a huge drop rather a techish romp through the mines of delusion and flailing body parts. Once the bass kick starts and you get that funky vibe, you know you are in for a cold, fresh treat. Halfway through, we are treated to a well deserved shake up which throws a couple more funky riffs to bring ya home.

Sandro Silva & Quintino - Epic

I’ll start by saying this is definitely “old” by today’s music industry standards. When this was first released, I passed on it. I wasn’t really a fan.. I found it too simple.. I found it led me up to something that really didn’t garner my expectations… But then I heard it live… And it shook that nonsense out of my head and I’ve been bumping and grinding to it ever since. Its magnificence lies with its epic progressive buildup and then it cuts all that shit and drops a phat ass bass line. Dirty dancing for the win.

Boys Noize - Adonis

It goes without a doubt that Boys Noize is one of my favorite producers and I am in great anticipation whenever a new single has been announced. Again, when this was first given to the public, I was sad.. Disappointed that my favorite artist had not catered to the needs of my ear drums. And then 2012 happened and I fell in love. Many DJs (included Wolfgang Gartner and Laidback Luke) claim this is the ultimate track to end a set with. After listening to this end a set, I can definitely sympathize. The groaning old man in the background adds to the creepy factor in this tech house killer.

Umek & Christian Cambas - Heroes of the Night (Pleasurekraft Remix)

Love. Switch up. More love. Another switch up. Melodic breakdown with a chopped up vocal. I swear that is the recipe for perfection because I say it often enough and when I do it is about a tune that captivates me like a naked woman on my bed would. Every time I listen, I find a new element of the song to love; whether its the off beat wood block drums hits, or the main riff which make electronic sounds almost have a voice, or the amazing chord driven buildup switchup that grabs your attention and makes you hear what the last drop has to offer. And because of that, you have to listen again to see how you got there.

-MG

Friday is upon us and it is about time that I stopped being a little wanker and give you Electrodroidians some heavy bangers to bring the weekend on in style. I used to be upset with the way electronic music was penetrating the mainstream market. I initially percieved it as the point in time where the quality is going to drop off considerably. Boy was I wrong. It has reached, in my opinion, a point where it cannot be stopped. Everyone and their grandmas has at least one favorite electro tune now.

Big name producers are in constant competition with new up and comers along with thousands of homemade producers that are always looking for their shot. With huge new releases that literally rear their heads every week, it is honestly hard to keep up. Which is good for my loyal followers as you know every track to grace the face of a ED post is something that tastes of buttery goodness.

Due to a recent re-watch of The Lion King, I have become quite fond of referring to Friday`s as the poster child of the phrase Hakuna Matata which quite literally means There are no worries. How fitting for Friday, a day where you do not give a poo about what is ahead of you over the next 2 days.

HAKUNA MATATA (Also realized it is my second Lion King cover photo, oh god)

Nicky Romero - Toulouse

There is no mistake by saying most of you dirty dancers have likely heard this beast by now. It has been hovering in the Beatport Top 10 for a while now and for good reason. I don`t know how but Toulouse initially passed me by. I wrote it off as another commercial house cash in. Oh how I was wrong.. My roommate K-dog blasted a playlist and this played and I was instantly intrigued. So here is my intrigue making its way onto the interwebs. 

Blood On The Dance Floor - Party On (James Egbert Remix)

The first of two Blood On The Dance Floor tracks. It is a little embarrassing that I have not even heard of them before or listened to the originals but these remixes caught my eye so quickly its insane. I needed one drop before I decided these were mine! As the name suggests, a tune that is likely to give you your second wind of partying as you venture into the deep dark crevasse of the night. It has some mainstream dance qualities which are sure to appeal as well.

Felix Cartal - Don’t Turn On The Light feat. Polina (Laidback Luke Remix)

I must admit (being the huge Feazy fan that I am) the original was something short of lackluster. It never really had that enticing riff that kept yanking my ears back for another listen. Laidback Luke changes my opinion wholeheartedly. I have never viewed Laidback Luke has a huge intensity production kind of guy but this remix is hot to the touch. Polina and her beautifully catchy lyrics are back as well and provides the proverbial icing on the cake.

Blood On The Dance Floor - Lose Control (Paris Burns Remix)

Now that I have a fellow comrade that is into the music blog business with me as well (YOUNG BACHELOR), I have a valuable resource to exchange music with and gather his opinions on new tracks. Well when I tell him to pop an ear bud in and listen to this track and his jaw drops to the floor, urging me to upload this asap so he can use it for his own dirty desires, you know its delightful. If any song is guaranteed to get a party, bar or club moving tonight, it is this one.

-MG

Last Saturday marked day one of my official journey into the electronic music universe. You may read that statement and think I’m a crazy lunatic that doesn’t realize that I’ve been in love with this genre for 3 years now and have been writing a blog dedicated to it for over the past year. That’s all fine and dandy but I always believed that until one experienced the all-out chaos of a live DJ set, you weren’t a true electrolover. So I’m sure the dots have been connected by now so yes… I attended my first one.

It started in the line waiting to get into BETA Nightclub in Waterloo, ON. I could hear and almost feel the bass kicks trying to break out of the building. I decided I would go with my friends last night so I was a stone cold sober bird that entire time (not that it mattered). As the line became shorter and shorter, as I made my way closer to that door, I could feel the excitement building within me. I was giddy as I was back in 1999 after all the anticipation of finally getting a Nintendo 64.

I’m the first of my friends to get in and I can hardly wait for the rest of them. I want to bum rush the dance floor so I can throw my gangly limbs around like a mad man for 3 hours. Finally, we all arrive, and I walk around the corner and face the place that will become my ultimate demise. An eclectic collection of lights, lazers, gorgeous women, glow sticks and, of course, bone shattering tunage appeared to me. My first thought was how I avoided this scene for so long. It seemed almost surreal. Actually, it was surreal.. My close friends could tell some deep happiness had just been activated and I was not coming down from this happiness high.

From then (11pm) until ARNEJ finally shut down his set (2:30am), I never stopped dancing. Never removed myself from the confines of the speakers. No washroom breaks, no going for an innocent lap around the club, no nothing (I did have to grab a water around 130am because let’s face it, you get fucking sweaty). I threw myself into countless dance circles, and towered above the crowd with my head held high so everyone else in the club could see the joy in me. I know I might sound like a melodramatic asshole but the amount of fun I had that night set the bar high. Can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

I am now legit….

Clockwork - Break Out

The piano.. oh the piano.. I think it is the reason that the moment I heard the 30 second preview to this track, I had to scoop it up. The piano riff feels like it would be ideal for a theme song for a man’s journey into heaven. But as with an electro, Clockwork tacks on additional dirty little bass grind that hits the right tone and keeps the vibing going. As far as productions go, its damn simple but you know the saying, beauty lies in simple things.

Joe Garston - The Promise

The latest big gem from Joe Garston, and his label Plasmapool, is beautiful once again. I wanted to share this with you a long time ago but ants came and infested my room, went exploring in my computer housing, melted and caused an immense amount of damage. The Promise is shorter than most would like but if the previous track was the theme song for travelling to heaven, this is what you would hear when you finally get there.

Riva Starr & Fatboy Slim - Get Naked (Louis La Roche Is It Summer Yet’ Remix

Disco house is so sexy. The track name is Get Naked as well. I don`t think a song has brought me such an intense urge to remove, nay, rip all my clothes off. We will do a little mental imaging here.. Picture yourself on a beach in the most comfortable lounge chair you can find, facing the endless horizon of the ocean, while the most serene combination of heat and wind shine down on you, all this happening while naked women (or men) intricately massage your entire body.. That`s this song.

M83 - Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix)

I am so ecstatic that Eric Prydz is starting to put himself back on the musical map. No-one doubts his status as a legendary and incredibly influential producer, but the public always wonders whether or not the legends still have their touch. Eric Prydz has proven once again where he belongs in the electronic world. Taking the most gut-wretchingly-catchy hymn from the original and turning into an all out progressive, dare I say it, BANGER.

-MG