Robert Glasper | Letter to Hermione (Robert Glasper and Jewels Remix)
The Robert Glasper Experiment ’s Black Radio EP, which debuted earlier this year, has been said to be one of his most accessible releases to date but that is not to be taken as a criticism. Glasper, in his own words, is a man of many dimensions and this time around, “I’m just exploring my more hip-hop/soul side, but still jazz-infused … So really, this is like a good collaboration album of hip-hop, soul, jazz… I think I’m the first one to actually do it right” (via NextBop ).
Originally, Glasper called on distinguished guests, such as Erykah Badu , Lupe Fiasco , and Mos Def , to lend their voices to the album. However, he’s now taken it a step further and organized a remix album set to be released on October 9 th on Blue Note Records . Each of the six tracks on Black Radio Recovered have been surfacing one by one over the last month or so and below, we offer you the fifth installment. “Letter to Hermoine,” a hip-hop infused piece, introduces the eclectic Detroit-based producer-MC Black Milk who brings an agile verse that glides flawlessly over Glasper’s committedly melancholic piano line.
alh
Jeremih | Fuck U All the Time (Shlohmo Remix)
Henry Laufer just dropped a rework of Jeremih’s ”Fuck U All the Time” and, as per usual, he offered it up free of charge. Within 10 minutes, his download link reached it’s maximum capacity but we managed to catch it on the fly.
If you’ve watched or listened to Shlohmo ‘s own recent Boiler Room set , you’ve probably heard this gem before-
Download || Fuck U All the Time (Shlohmo Remix) – Jeremih
[Shlohmo]
alh
Maze Hill | Long Haul (LV Remix)
Maze Hill is a London-based trio composed of producer Andy Highmore, vocalist Holly Bestic, and singer/poet Joshua Idehen. Their collective name is taken from an area lying just east of Greenwich Park, one of the largest single green spaces in south-east London. There’s something inherently serene yet lively about their sound and we can speculate that it may have to do with the atmosphere in which it was crafted but who really knows. The outfit are just beginning to introduce themselves.
A year ago, we saw the release of Routes, an undeniable collaboration between fellow London trio LV and Idehen, and now we see them working together once again. LV have worked their charm on Maze Hill ‘s lead single, “Long Haul,” injecting scattered percussion and broken synth chords while leaving Bestic and Idehen’s spirited vocals relatively untouched.
Look out for the release of Maze Hill ’s Long Haul EP. It drops on October 29 th on Wah Wah 45s and will feature the rework posted below.
Download || Long Haul (LV Remix) – Maze Hill
[Maze Hill]
alh
Clockwork | 15K Bootleg Pack
Yesterday, as a celebration of reaching 15,000 fans on Facebook, Los Angeles-born, New York-based producer Clockwork (also known as RL Grime ) pieced together a bundle of bootlegs and released them free-of-charge to his followers. The zip file, composed of an eclectic mix of edits and mashups crafted specifically for his live sets, includes reworks of Gorrilaz , Prodigy , Daft Punk and more.
I suggest holding off on listening to these until you’re ready to get riled up.
Download || 15K Bootleg Pack – Clockwork
alh
Biblo | Redundant Ambience (Yosi Horikawa Remix)
Yosi Horikawa , the man behind “Bubbles,” one of our favourite tracks of 2012, premiered a new one just a few days back.
In a rework of fellow RBMA graduate Biblo ‘s “Redundant Ambience,” Horiwaka reintroduces us to his affinity for finding order in found sound. This time around he has refined his tone, only slightly, producing a melancholic yet lively piece grounded in organic ambience.
Download || Redundant Ambience (Yosi Horikawa Remix) – Biblo
See previously: Yosi Horikawa | Bubbles
alh
Video: Flying Lotus | Putty Boy Strut
A couple days back, FlyLo premiered a mischievously eerie anime video for “Putty Boy Strut,” one of the few tracks that have surfaced from his forthcoming release, Until the Quiet Comes. Anticipation is steadily rising with each glimpse we’ve been offered into the workings of the record.
See previously:
Flying Lotus x Frank Ocean | Binge Eating Without You
Short Film: Flying Lotus | Until The Quiet Comes
Flying Lotus | See Thru To U (ft. Erykah Badu)
alh
Suzanne Kraft | No Worries
At this turn of the season, Suzanne Kraft ’s warm, sun-drenched house jam “No Worries” is a welcome reminder of summertime revelry in days past. And to set the record straight, Kraft isn’t one of the very few female producers circulating in the public eye right now. Suzanne Kraft is the guise of Los Angeles-based producer Diego Herrera.
Kraft, a Dublab affiliate, received quite a few pats on the back following the release of his Green Flash EP under the name Lil Suzie just over a year ago. Since then, he has made his way into the renowned Red Bull Music Academy and has come forth with a few lauded tunes – take his re-float of Tomas Barfod ’s “Came To Party,” for example.
On Tuesday, September 25 th , Horoscope , Kraft’s latest offering will receive a digital release on Young Adults . This time around, we find Herrera restraining his sound, easing the listener through from start to finish while keeping our attention with hooking synth and percussive-driven narratives. Now, if you happen to be situated in LA, where the record was crafted, you can probably still expect to hear this tune, and the rest of the EP, dropped poolside more than a couple times.
alh
RL Grime | Flood
Earlier today, RL Grime unleashed an addictive trap-oriented piece entitled “Flood”- his first release since his sensational refix of Kanye West ‘s “Mercy.” As he said:
“I wanted to thank everyone for the support over the past year, its been amazing. I have a bunch of new RL on the horizon but in the meantime, here’s a free single to tide you over…”
Download || Flood – RL Grime
alh
Eskmo | I Just Want
Eskmo has been keeping rather quiet sine the release of his self-titled record on Ninja Tune in 2010. The Bay Area tunesmith came forward in 2011 with a mini-EP, featuring reworks from Amon Tobin , Throwing Snow and more; however, other than that, he has been keeping his work under wraps.
Now, that’s all about to change as, earlier this week, Eskmo announced that October 30th will mark the release date of Language , a five-track EP out via Ancestor, his very own imprint. “I Just Want,” a cinematically emotive piece, sees Brendan Angelides’ vocals glide over his signature atmospheric pads and intricately textured melodies. As the opening cut from his forthcoming, the track also introduces the narrative that will likely play out throughout the album.
Download || I Just Want – Eskmo
[Eskmo]
alh
Reso | Aegis
There’s a lot to look out for from London-based producer Reso in the coming months. This autumn, Alex Melia will be unveiling not one but two new records: Check 1 , an EP set to be released on October 15th and Tangram , his highly anticipated debut LP, which he playfully describes as “sci-fi, robots, anime, heavy metal, everything.”
To remind us that he’s hard at work, Melia has offered up an album outtake, which debuted on XLR8R yesterday afternoon. “Aegis,” a sprawling, low-key drum and bass piece, should keep your ears satisfied for the time being, while you wait for further tastes of the albums to surface. Listen below and follow the link here to download.
alh
New Forms Festival 2012 | Vancouver, British Columbia
If you’ve been keeping up with us here at LOW-LIFE, you’re probably already aware that we have been festival hopping, cross-continentally, over the course of the summer. So far, we have collectively managed to hit MUTEK (Montreal, Quebec), Sonar (Barcelona, Spain), 10 Days Off (Ghent, Belgium), Tomorrowland (Boom, Belgium), Shambhala (Nelson, British Columbia) and Outlook (Fort Punta Christo, Croatia). Next on the docket, we have Vancouver’s very own New Forms Festival , a cultural hub dedicated to exploring art, media, and electronic music.
“[New Forms Festival is] a survey of the electronic scene that rivals Montreal’s internationally acclaimed MUTEK.”
(via
The Georgia Straight
– read more
here
)
Now, if you have ever had the pleasure of attending the now Montreal-based festival, you would recognize that the Georgia Straight scribe has made a mighty bold statement. However, having attended both (LOW-LIFE paid a visit to New Forms ’11 last September), we couldn’t agree more.
[Teen Daze, New Forms 2011]
This year is New Forms’ 12th instalment and, arguably, the detail-oriented organizers may have very well fashioned the most striking line-up yet. This year, some of the most admirable forward-thinking artists, such as Teebs , Actress , Kode9 , Sinjin Hawke , and Canblaster , will take to the decks. Furthermore, like MUTEK , New Forms places an emphasis on young and local talent, recognizing the importance of providing a “platform for artistic growth.” So, spectators will also have the pleasure of catching the Vancouver-based Jellyfish Recordings crew – Headspace , Nick Wisdom , FALCONS , Jolin Ras , and 8prn – in action. Just take our word for it- it would be a mistake to sleep on any of these acts.
The theme this year will revolve around “Living Labs” and you’ll have to join us there to understand how that will manifest in both visual and aural form. In that respect, we know as much as you do. A Festival Pass, which fortunately won’t break your wallet (it’s only $60 ), covers you for the entire weekend, French Electro Showcase and A/V installations included. Individual passes can be purchased as well and are all available at the official site here.
If you need any more incentive to attend, we’ve compiled a mixtape, available below, featuring a blend of some of the sounds you can expect to hear at New Forms 2012. We’re looking forward to seeing your faces there.
Download || New Forms Festival 2012 Promo Pack [zip]
[Nautiluss, New Forms 2011]
[Shlohmo, New Forms 2011]
alh
John Talabot | Missing You
John Talabot has always considered his productions to be shadowy and grounded in darker hues. Despite the deceiving labels appropriated onto his pieces (“nu disco,” “tropical,” etc.), there is an unyielding tension and melancholic air that dominates the narrative of his last LP, fI N , released in February via Permanent Vacations .
A few hours ago, Talabot graciously offered up a piece from fIN , “Missing You,” as this week’s edition of Annie Mac’s Free Music Monday . If you haven’t already, introduce yourself to the unique sounds emerging from one of Barcelona’s finest electronic artists. You can also catch him live very soon, if you happen to be in the Vancouver area. Talabot is accompanying The xx on their North American tour and will be hitting The Vogue on October 5, promoting the release of his 12″ remix album of fIN .
See previously: John Talabot | fIN
alh
Lapalux | The Hours
British producer Stuart Howard (aka Lapalux ) has another EP in the works, which is set to drop on October 16th on none other than Brainfeeder Records . Howard hasn’t said much about his forthcoming release, though he has offered a hint of what to expect.
“The Hours,” which is subtly more docile than much of his previous work, won’t appear on Some Other Time . However, from the sounds of it, Howard isn’t straying too far from the “electro/organic sound continuum” he established in his last EP, When You’re Gone. Stream and download, for the price of an email address, his latest track below.
alh
Digital Diamonds | In Spite (ft. Kurt)
I can’t rap without my rap chain.
[Jonwayne]
Rarely, if ever, does someone succeed in reworking a Nirvana track. However, one of our favourite LA beatsmiths, Jonwayne , has done it in style in a collaboration with fellow MC, Scoop DeVille . Earlier today, the duo known as Digital Diamonds let go of this throwback jam, a flip on Nirvana’s In Bloom, which features Jon and Scoop spitting over Kurt’s chopped and aptly placed verbal drones. The free downloads disappeared within an hour of “In Spite” being dropped but hopefully you can find one hiding elsewhere on the blogosphere.
alh
Calski | Temperate
Early this morning, an exclusive tune crafted by Calski premiered on XLR8R , foreshadowing the sounds we can expect to be introduced to on the Bristol-based DJ/producer’s forthcoming EP St Andrews . As the title of the song suggests, “Temperate” is a piece that exercises moderation. Though intricately detailed, Calski maintains a spacious, refined atmosphere throughout, which pacifies with every note.
Download “Temperate” and listen to the showreel of St Andrews , out via Overcooked Records , below.
Download || Temperate – Calski
alh
Matthew Dear | Beams LP
[Portrait by Michael Cina]
Matthew Dear ‘s fifth full-length record, Beams , is all set for its release next week through Ghostly International , Dear’s very own imprint. Fortunately for us anticipants, the 11-track album is already available for streaming, days earlier than promised.
Dear’s last release, Black City , conceptualized a futuristic metropolis that didn’t sleep and we can certainly hear remnants of that atmosphere in Beams . It makes sense considering that quite a few of the songs featured on his latest effort were already near completion when Black City was released in 2010. However, this time around, we see Dear take a step away from the dark, cheeky soundscapes we’ve come to know and love, and experiment from a more spirited position. Beams emanates a vaguely optimistic energy that parallels that of one of his key influences, David Bowie, while simultaneously maintaining adoration for those infatuating Detroit-inspired techno rhythms.
“I try to make pop music, no doubt about that, but it’s coming through a weird little warped
lens.”
(via
Clash Music
)
alh
Video: LOL Boys | Changes (Shlohmo Remix)
Just a moment after it’s release, Shlohmo ‘s cut-up woozy and emotive take on LOL Boys ‘ “Changes” receives a visual accompaniment, courtesy of Video Marsh . Henry must be pleased-
See previously: LOL Boys | Changes (Shlohmo Remix)
alh
Video: A$AP Rocky | Purple Kisses
It’s so easy to fall in love-
As you may have expected, A$AP ‘s latest syrup-drenched single comes equipped with a NSFW video, directed by the pretty motherfucker himself.
Through a smoky haze, the camera pans in slo-mo over the illicit nocturnal activities of A$AP and friends while the man’s voice rides high over a blurry Buddy Holly sample.
“Purple Kisses” can be found on A$AP ‘s forthcoming mixtape Lord$ Never Worry, which will feature the mob in their entirety.
alh
Groundislava | Suicide Mission (ft. Baths)
Today, Jasper Patterson offers up the second single from his forthcoming LP, Feel Me , out via Friends of Friends August 28th.
As one could assume, the title of Groundislava ‘s latest, “Suicide Mission,” preemptively sets the melancholic tone of the piece, which is then solidified by Bath ‘s crestfallen vocals as well as the accompanying nostalgia-inducing soundscapes.
Preorder Feel Me here .
See previously: Groundislava | TV Dreams Video/Tomas Barfod Remix
alh
Lindstrøm | Rà-àkõ-st
Norwegian poster boy of electronic music Lindstrøm reintroduced himself this year with the notable Six Cups of Rebel , the first record of his career wherein he features his own vocals. However, this veteran producer hasn’t forgotten about us nostalgic space-disco fans just yet.
The extended mix of his most recent single, “Rà-àkõ-st,” edited by Todd Terje (yes, the very same who produced the irresistible “Inspector Norse” earlier this year), sees Lindstrøm returning to his roots with a sprawling, intergalactic dance floor tune. From what we hear, he’ll be continuing on this note for the foreseeable future with a forthcoming 12″. We’re looking forward to it.
alh
Ryan Hemsworth | Charly Wingate
21-year-old Ryan Hemsworth is the latest member to join the “professionally unprofessional” Wedidit crew and when asked to describe his sound as a type of food, he probably couldn’t have given a better answer.
“Kitchen sink cookies, and well baked. There are a lot of artists making kitchen sink cookies and taking them out before the buzzer goes off or putting more than they should into them. Fresh buttery cookies off the pan into your ears.”
(via
Yours Truly
)
“Charly Wingate,” the first single to be let go from Hemsworth’s forthcoming EP Last Words, is a subtly sinister jam- a smoky, rap-smeared lullaby woven together by infectious beats that keep your head bobbing long after the song is though. Octave Abaji and Hector de la Vallee of the Fusils a Pompe Graphic Squad composed the accompanying video.
Last Words drops on August 21 st complete with reworks by Shlohmo and friends.
alh
Video: TNGHT | Bugg’n
Peter Marsden and Dominic Flannigan shot, directed and animated the first video off of TNGHT ‘s exceptional debut record. The visual translation is just as quirky and captivating as you would expect, considering the nature (and title) of the lead single, “Bugg’n.”
alh
Disclosure | Remix EP
Disclosure ‘s breakthrough EP, The Face , contains some of the best sounds we’ve heard in 2012 and we say this without a hint of hesitation. Each track from this sibling double-act is undeniable and it’s safe to say that The Face will remain in the rotation for at least the next little while.
A few days back, the boys announced a Remix EP, courtesy of hotly tipped producers Mak & Pasteman , Dixon , Medlar , and Joe Goddard ( Hot Chip ), and today it drops. Two out of four are available for streaming below and you can listen to the other two over at Youtube here and here .
You could also just pick up the Remix EP at Juno .
alh
Fiona Apple | Every Single Night (LOL Boys Remix)
LOL Boys show no sign of slowing down following the release of their sun-drenched debut EP. The boys recently unveiled an “appealingly reclined” mix for Fader (check that out here ) and, just yesterday, dropped yet another edit.
With a mélange of soft percussion, a 4/4 beat and Fiona Apple ‘s tender yet forceful vocals, the L.A./Montreal based duo craft a simple, charming rendition of Apple’s “Every Single Night.”
[Fiona Apple]
alh
