Electric Zoo ’13 Artist Spotlight: Chase & Status
On the approach to Electric Zoo festival next weekend, British duo Chase & Status have every reason to be ecstatic. Ten years down the line and boasting a global reputation that few London outfits could hold a light to, their reign as one of the evolved specimens of contemporary drum & bass is strong. While their output has scaled everything from 16-beat D&B, experimental b bass music and radio-friendly club fuel, their overall live demeanor has been matched with an ability to destroy the trail with high-grossing full-length albums. With North America finally showing the same enthusiasm as that which has kept them as favorites to the European market, there has never been a better time to inaugurate yourself to the heavyweight champions of commercially viable dance music done right.
Essential Mix Review: Hot Since 82 looks back on meteoric rise, cements validity of hit-making powers
Hot Since 82 has had an engaging last few years. The Leeds based artist -- whose real name is Daley Padley -- only made the switch to his creatively tipped moniker two years ago. He released “Let It Ride” on Noir that blasted off a fruitful ascent into the house music spotlight. He followed up with records on renowned imprints like Defected and Get Physical -- bringing to fruition monster releases like his remix to Yousef’s “Beg” and the Forty Shorty EP. More recently, his distinct bass line work was called upon by Rudimental and Green Velvet – tracks that are seeing constant rotation amongst the industry’s top talents. He used his invitation to Pete Tong’s legendary Essential Mix to stray from the obvious crowd pleasures and don on his personal musical exposition -- playing cuts from acts such as Dixon, Agoria, and unreleased material from the man himself.
Moar mau5 n’ stuff; Deadmau5 uploads ‘All I have,’ ‘All I had,’ ‘All I got,’ and ‘Stage Eight’
deadmau5 continues on his production tear with four new uploads to his aptly titled 'fuckmylife' Soundcloud. On today's menu are four uniquely different tracks; there is "All I Got," a track reminiscent of the early deadmau5 classic "Limit Break," then there's "All I Had" a six-minute melody driven output with shades of "Strobe" and finally "All I Have," a similarly driven production that subdues "All I Had's" progressions with flighty keys and vocal samples. Not content to stop there, the final upload came this morning in the form of a minute long blur of grinding electronica dubbed "Stage Eight." Most likely just in-studio experiments as Joel gears up for a new full length album, his frequent and fervent Soundcloud sneak peaks continue to keep fans on their toes and begging for more.
Fenech Soler – Last Forever (The Chainsmokers Remix) [Free Download]
The Chainsmokers latest output takes on the UK's Fenech Soler for an official remix of their upcoming single "Last Forever." Dubbed a future anthem by Zane Lowe, the NY-based duo continue on their indie dance trajectory, putting together their most finely-tuned track to date. Stretching the original's vocals to match their sugary-sweet chordplay, The Chainsmokers take "Last Forever" to the pinnacle of dance music highs, crashing top notch indie vocals into well-developed big room melodies and sweeping synthesizers. Download it for free today.
Work Drugs – West Coast Slide (Gazzo Remix) [Free Download]
Up-and-coming producer and New Jersey native, Gazzo has recently teamed up with Cash Cash on a remix of Clinton Sparks "Gold Rush" but returns to the studio solo for his next crisply produced output. Reimagining the synthpop leanings of Philadelphia duo Work Drugs, Gazzo takes their hit "West Coast Slide" and douses it in a can of electro kerosene. Striking a match on gritty synthwork, the mix ignites early and continues to burns as it pops and hisses over the lead vocal and Gazzo's own brand of well-crafted electro house.