Where My Head’s At: Brazilian Beats EditionBrazilwmha

Where My Head’s At: Brazilian Beats Edition

“Where My Head’s At” is a new feature from Dancing Astronaut that gives readers a quick glimpse into an editor’s personal music tastes and how they have developed. Subject matter will be all over the map, but we want to let you get a feel for individual editors, and where their heads are at. 

Different musical styles have always been born from regional, cultural, and generational influences. Take for example gangster rap, punk rock, and hair metal; all of these genres were the products of a unique time and place, and have a special place in musical history. In 2011, the same trends can be seen throughout the sub-genres of EDM. The Swedes have seemingly perfected big room and progressive, while the Dutch have put their own beepy spin on house music, and the British have undoubtedly claimed dubstep as their creation.

As certain countries are becoming synonymous with specific sounds, it’s impossible to overlook the connection between electro/dub house and Brazil. Some of the biggest names in electro, including Darth & Vader, Felguk, Chrizz Luvly, and Dirtyloud all hail from Brazil and are developing a sound that is unique to the sultry South American nation. Keep reading to hear me out.

As a fan of both house and dubstep, this emerging style of electro has quickly become my favorite style of EDM, and these four artists have made their way to the top of my list of favorite producers. The reason behind my new love affair is that this Brazilian electro has incorporated elements from all of my favorite EDM sub-genres. The songs use the same tempo and arrangement as progressive house tracks, incorporate trance-like synths into the builds, and have drops that bring the same sounds and energy as even the hardest-hitting dubstep track. Essentially, the Brazilians have created a synergy of EDM genres that I find impossible not to love.

One of my favorite tracks has to be Dirtyloud’s remix of “Dance” by Spencer & Hill, which combines a great vocal with melodic synths. What more? It eventually leads into a glitchy drop filled with some of the hardest, grimiest bass sounds I’ve ever heard. This fusion of melody and grit creates the perfect crossover between house and dubstep, which is simply irresistible to my ears.

Where My Head’s At: Brazilian Beats EditionDarth Vader

Another great example of this Brazilian electro style is Darth & Vader’s remix of “Barbra Streisand” by Duck Sauce. Originally a nu-disco track, Darth & Vader gave the song an edgy makeover, adding a gritty bass line, talking bass sounds, and high-pitched wobbles on top of the recognizable “woo” vocals that made the song a radio smash. Darth & Vader took this track from commercial house, beefed it up, and turned it into an electro banger — and I can’t get enough.

Where My Head’s At: Brazilian Beats EditionFelguk+4

Aside from Dirtyloud and Darth & Vader, Felguk and Chrizz Luvly have also turned out huge productions that are among some of my favorites. Felguk’s track “As Sample As It Is” and Chrizz Luvly’s remix of “All Over Me” by Carlos Barbosa are staples in many of my own electro sets. (Disclaimer: I am a DJ.) Both tracks are gritty, but also use melodic synth sounds which make them as fun as they are hard.

All four of these artists have helped put Brazilian electro on the map — and solidify its place in my heart — with their energetic, hard-hitting productions. Their ability to fuse house, trance, and dubstep into one, unmistakable genre has created a new and exciting sound that I can’t stop listening to. The trance-like melodic progressions found in the builds bring an incredible musicality to the tracks, while the drops unleash an energy that is comparable only to huge dubstep productions. The Brazilians have found the perfect combination of my favorite EDM genres, which constantly leaves me chomping at the bit for more music from them. I’m glad we’re just getting started.

So, where’s your head at?

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