Listening to LA-based producer Dibiase makes one nostalgic for the age of much simpler video games, when your controller had about five buttons on it and no one attempted to make anything three-dimensional. I saw Dibiase last week at a show and was blown away by a set of epic 8-bit songs, seriously messed-up beats, and battling arpeggiators. Here’s a little taste for you on this fine Wednesday afternoon.
Tags: "8-bit", "experimental hip-hop", "hip-hop", "la beat scene", dibiase, dubwreck
Not that Bjork really needs exposure, but I just had to share my enthusiasm for her latest album, “Biophilia.” It’s gorgeous, sonically playful and carefully constructed. The recording quality is amazing – it’s so intimate and reminds me a lot of “Vespertine.” Each song was written so that the form of the song reflects the lyrical content of the piece. For instance, “Moon” was written in cycles, mirroring the cycles of the moon.
“Thunderbolt” features a number of arpeggiators, recalling the way that thunder follows lightning. The emphasis of lower frequency instruments/synths in the arrangement channels the power of thunder. The piece is harmonically and rhythmically surprising (listen to the interplay of triplets and more straight rhythms in the bass synth of the chorus – it’s subtle, but changes the movement of the song significantly).
In case you haven’t already heard, “Biophilia” has also been released as an iPhone/iPad app (I believe only the 2nd album ever to be released as an app). Apparently, each song is set up as a different environment and you can explore the natural concepts in the lyrics of the songs, as well as play with song structure and trigger instruments. I can’t wait to geek out over this – the only problem being that I don’t have an iPad or an iPhone. That might be one small obstacle 
.
Tags: "bjork app", biophilia, bjork, thunderbolt, vespertine
Wow. Check out this trifecta of goodness straight out of Montreal – DJ/producer CFCF remixes Grimes and d’Eon, bringing together three of Montreal’s hottest acts on one track. This track has been triple-dipped in a lake of reverb and sun-drenched, tinkling synths. It’s hard to resist its sexy, dreamy melodies over a clean beat that propels the track forward, moving in and out of consciousness.
Tags: cfcf, d'eon, dreampop, grimes, montreal, transparency, vanessa
This track is in heavy rotation on my work out music mix this week. Oliver’s heavenly synth-funk is going to make you want to do some 8 min. abs and work up a sweat for sure.
Blood Orange is the solo project of the ultra-talented producer Dev Hynes, who has worked with the likes of Theophilus London, Basement Jaxx, Test Icicles, and more. It’s also clear that this guy listens to a lot of Prince. Let this awesomely spacey and slick R&B track wash right over you.
Tags: "basement jaxx", "blood orange", "dev hynes", "test icicles", "theophilus london", dinner
Self-dubbed “gluten-free R&B”, this track is good for you and there is no risk of an allergic reaction. Young and Sick’s vocals are inspired by the silky, soulful vocals of 90s R&B god, D’Angelo, and their production is reminiscent of some of the beat scene stuff happening in their current homebase, Los Angeles.
Tags: "d'angelo", "room 48", "young & sick", "young and sick"
This is a nice, understated remix of Austra’s “Beat and the Pulse” by Kool Thing. She completely alters the vibe of the original from incredibly intense to a somewhat restless slow-burner.
Tags: "beat and the pulse remix", "beat and the pulse", "kool thing", austra
