Swedish singer and songwriter Anni Pohto is hardly a new artist in the strict sense of the word, but she’s new to Your EDm and we’re glad to have found her. Having already released two EPs and a number of singles since 2014. Her style normally walking the line between pop, ambient indie electronica and indie rock, her new album seems as though it will hold a few surprises. The forthcoming The Rising, due out this summer seems from the first two singles “Deep” and “Closure” offer a stripped down version of her usual EDM-infused style. It’s not to say that the whole album will be stripped down or completely bereft of beats, but the first two examples do see Pohto focusing on melodics vocals and, of course, her wonderful storytelling ability. “Deep” released November of 2020 and sees the electronic elements that are normally prevalent in her music very stripped down, indeed, but they’re still there. As her silky voice and the analog piano wind around each other, a minimal hip hop-style beat pushes the song forward as the lyrics tell an all-too-familiar tale about the dangers of allowing hate and anger to push us forward and the desire, if not yet the ability, to release it all. The video for “Deep” is simple but stark, following a bare-faced Pohto as she wrestles with her dark and light spots, represented as actual black and white clothing. The struggle between flow and power, yin and yang plays out on the screen as the song tells the story of that struggle we all know too well. “Closure” released shortly after “Deep” in December and it has even more surprises. Containing a beautiful accompaniment from Pohto’s flawless piano playing and the kantele, a stringed instrument that is the national instrument of Finland, the singer stretches her vocal range as if she’s stretching to reach the closure she seeks. Along with the ambient sound design and barely audible synths, the effect of this song is truly goosebump-inducing. A lyric video for “Closure” was posted this week on that’s set up like a text conversation between what seem to be two ex lovers. The lyrics are written out as pending messages as the two have a much more cordial conversation. It’s and incredibly creative way to do a lyric video and the way the texts are run make it just as interesting as a flashier video. The struggle Pohto is going through between wanting to say her true feelings and the instinct not to ruffle feathers is played out in black and white, in all its awkward and painful glory. It’s just as visceral and relatable as any big-budget artsy video. So, suffice it to say, whether you love Anni Potho’s earlier stuff with more electronica baked in or not, this album’s going to be a good one. If the raw creativity of these two tracks is anything to go by, Pohto will more than satisfy her current fans and likely gain many new ones along the way. “Deep” and “Closure” can be streamed along with the rest of Pohto’s discography on Spotify. For more videos, check out her YouTube channel. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: New Artist Profile: Anni Pohto Merges Electronica and Indie Pop, Creating a Musical ‘Closure’ for Herself Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/new-artist-profile-anni-pohto-merges-electronica-and-indie-pop-creating-a-musical-closure-for-herself/
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GNL Zamba is extremely well-known in his native Uganda, where he’s credited for building the country’s hip hop and luuga flow scene from the ground up. It’s a quite different style at first blush from American hip hop: passionate, tribal and fused with afropunk, but lunga flow and specifically Zamba’s style have been popular in countries like the UK, being a direct near-predecessor to grime music (read: Tinie Tempah, Akon and Fuse ODG). There are also a number of common threads with American hip hop in GNL Zamba’s newest album, Spear. First, the beat syncopation: generally more complex than your average US hip hop song, it’s easy to see the connection in terms of tempo, bass heft and overall vibe. Zamba’s vocal and rap style is big, booming and free-form, sounding more like battle spitting than the more structured verses. The aggression, vocal timbre and matter-of-fact lyrics Zamba spits are reminiscent of Chuck D from Public Enemy, whom Zamba credits as an influence. In multiple tracks on the album, one can almost imagine Zamba about to open up with “here come the drums.” The Spear is much more than just its ties to hip hop and punk. Musically diverse to the point of creating its own genre, the album moves from heavy, PE-like basslines and booming lyrics on album openers like “Africa” and “Black Caesar” to more danceable and melodic tracks like “Energy.” Other tracks are full African music like “Sweet Uganda (Star Taffa),” as Zamba conjures the traditional sounds and vibes of his beloved Uganda and then flows with them in his bold, throaty vocal timbre. It’s almost a physical experience when Zamba raps, and we haven’t even gotten to the content of the lyrics. With his lyrics, GNL Zamba pulls absolutely no punches, diving straight into his message head first from “Africa.” He speaks about the strength of Africa, the history and the power of its people. He lists off all the continent’s accomplishments, not the least of which is being the origin of human life. Far from boastful, Zamba’s lyrics are empowering and expansive. It’s a call to action for the whole world to “go back to the beginning”, to the origin of life, remember where we come from and move forward again with no hate. He also talks about energy and the universality of the human experience. No small topics here, but listeners will get the feeling that even if he was talking about more superficial things, it would sound just as bold and noble. With many of the lyrics in his native tongue, one still feels the impact of songs like the album’s title track and “Who Got the Power” and we’re also able to see the ease with which a native African dialect goes with hip hop. It’s almost like it was meant to be in Africa all along. As the album comes to its close with tracks like “Wake the Fuck Up” and “Zamba the Great,” the message gets stronger and stronger. This is done on purpose.
As The Spear closes with “Zim Zim Bombo,” GNL Zamba’s message is clear even without the above quote. He he wants to wake up the planet and unite us so we can finally evolve beyond petty politics and racial divides. It feels like a rally, a Bodycount show and a call to action all at once. Zamba is not playing around, and he’s already put his money where his booming voice is. He just wants to know who will join him. The Spear is out now on GNL Zamba’s label Baboon Forest Entertainment and can be streamed on multiple platforms here. For more videos, check out GNL Zamba’s YouTube channel. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: This Is No New Artist: GNL Zamba Brings a Different Type of Hip Hop to the US Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/27/this-is-no-new-artist-gnl-zamba-brings-a-different-type-of-hip-hop-to-the-us/ Global Heist and Neurodisc are generally known for their diversity of sound, covering almost every part of the electronic music spectrum from experimental to pop house, but Head Fake is still easily their most novel act. A true new wave band for the modern era, Head Fake is comprised of three once prominent but now anonymous London artists who all feel that the sounds of the 80s still have a place in modern EDM. Judging by the emotions and sounds coming out of their latest EP3, they’re not wrong. Your EDM started watching Head Fake early in 2020 when they started to really make their electronic prowess known on their EP2 project. Mixing lofi with new wave synths and LCD Soundsystem-style vocals make Head Fake appealing to multiple genres and generations, which is likely why the Neuro/Global team keep putting their releases out. That and the quality. The interesting difference between Head Fake and the new wave of new wave artists over the last ten years is that, unlike the semi-ironic hipster feeling one gets from the likes of Hot Chip and Cut Copy, Head Fake are deadly serious. They’re here to tell stories with their electronica, which is partially what puts them in the echelon of LCD Soundsystem. They’ve lived though the 80s and they get it: it wasn’t all cocaine and banging on Casios. There was real music and real emotion in that era, and with EP3 especially Head Fake seem to be saying they’ll be damned if they leave that behind. With the long-form EP, songs like “We Are Stars,” “The Silence,” “All I Carry” and “Feel Like Going Home” are lyrically almost akin to indie folk: rife with storytelling and nostalgia. There’s a definite streak of the Psychedelic Furs contained therein, and any 80s fan will be here for it. There’s no small amount of fun as well, as plucky tones and odd dissonance escapes from tracks like “Hollywood Dream” and “JFK.” They remind fans quickly that Head Fake are still synth masters. These two tracks are the opening and closing tracks of the EP respectively, so it’s sort of like the whole work is and emotional story bookended by colorful 80s new wave. Head Fake’s from the heart, endearing brand of nouveau new wave will always incite nostalgia in fans who lived through the 80s and 90s with them, but it’s also modern enough to turn the head of even the most stalwart EDM hipster. Combining genuine feeling and vintage synth style, it’s really always a winning combination and EP3 is another winning release from the UK trio. EP3 is out now on Global Heist/Neurodisc and can be streamed on Spotify along with Head Fake’s other work. Check out their YouTube channel for more videos.
This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Neurodisc/Global Heist’s New New Wave Darlings Head Fake Return With Their Third EP Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/neurodisc-global-heists-new-new-wave-darlings-head-fake-return-with-their-third-ep/ Zedd is making his live television acting debut on Nickelodeon this week on The Substitute as he puts on a prosthetic mask and beard and confuses some kids. A synopsis of the show reads, “In this new hidden camera prank show, celebrities are transformed to go undercover as substitute teachers to surprise a class of unsuspecting students.” As you can see in the teaser below, Zedd definitely takes his role seriously. Check out the clip and tune it 4:30pm PST today if you want to watch it live.
Photo via Rukes.com This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Zedd Is Making His Live Television Acting Debut Tonight On Nickelodeon Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/zedd-is-making-his-live-television-acting-debut-tonight-on-nickelodeon/ Back in December we announced the pending launch of Hydeout: The Prelude, an exciting new virtual music platform that boasted some stellar names on its roster. However, other than just a press release, we didn’t have much to go on. Well, now the platform is finally ready to go with a full schedule, and the folks over at Hydeout are not messing around. It is set to be a huge opening weekend with Martin Garrix and DJ Snake performing this Friday and Saturday respectively. There’s also been some social media posts that have been shared, and the production and virtual stages approach Tomorrowland quality. Here’s what Hydeout tells us to expect. Hydeout: The Prelude will take fans on a truly unique journey, bridging the virtual and physical realms with secret locations around the world. Stepping through the portal, users will be transported to every corner of the globe with Hydeout’s exclusive on-demand episodes. The digital dimension will span three different worlds, HydeCity, HydeIsland and HydeEscape, encompassing over 20 stages including Aqua Sphere, HydeAlley, Pandemonium, Sanctum, The Arch, The Mirage and many other secret on-location stages in HydeEscape. Users can also create a digital avatar and connect with other users via live chat rooms. There’s a free option for using the platform, or you can pay $49.99 for an all-access pass which gives you 5-day VOD playback on all episodes. Head over to the Hydeout website for more info and to register. Here’s the full schedule below. Hydeout: The Prelude goes live this Friday at 12 PM PST/3 PM EST/9 PM CET. January February March April This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Hydeout: The Prelude Launches This Weekend with Sets from Martin Garrix and DJ Snake Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/hydeout-the-prelude-launches-this-weekend-with-sets-from-martin-garrix-and-dj-snake/ Hit maker inverness has done it again with his new song “State Of Wonder” featuring Anthony Russo and Kang Daniel’s debut release with American/non-Korean artists. The song is instantly infectious with delicate guitar licks and Russo’s voice crooning atop the melody, but it only keeps evolving and growing from there. inverness shares: “‘State Of Wonder’ has to be my favorite release yet. We all spent so much time writing, producing, editing and perfecting every moment. Anthony and I were fortunate to work with Kang Daniel on his last album, so when I heard he wanted to get on the record, I was ecstatic. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did making it.” Russo further says: “This song feels like everything coming full circle. I actually met Rob writing K-pop in Korea…one of the artists we wrote for was Daniel. So fast forward to now, being on a song with all of them is the universe doing its elegant weaving. The whole process from start to finish has been a blast and It’s truly a privilege to create with such awesome humans.” Daniel adds: “Anthony and inverness both worked on my title track, “Who U Are” as well as multiple other songs on the album. We always talked about collaborating while working on the album and then one of the other producers, MZMC, heard a song that inverness and Anthony were working on with Monstercat and everything kind of came together naturally. As a fan of Electronic music and being a Kpop artist, I’m just happy to be a part of it.” Arriving with the single comes a captivating video directed by Jordan Wozy – the creative mind behind videos for Machine Gun Kelly, The Chainsmokers, New Hope Club and others. In the stunning visual piece, Anthony and inverness play the role of inventors who have found a way to enter a “State of Wonder” or a dream state. Caught up in his emotions, Anthony gets pulled too deep into his sea of memories and it’s up to inverness to reboot the system and save his life. Check it out below! This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: inverness Releases “State Of Wonder” With Feature From KPop Star Kang Daniel Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/inverness-releases-state-of-wonder-with-feature-from-kpop-star-kang-daniel/ Diplo & Mark Ronson’s Silk City just released their newest single “New Love” with Ellie Goulding after a nearly three-year hiatus, and they just dropped their newest “Especially 4 U” mix following the release. The mix is an hour of delicious disco, funky house goodness with cuts from Dombresky, Dom Dolla, A-Trak, Channel Tres, of course Silk City, and more. Check it out below! This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Silk City Drops “Especially 4 U, Vol. 3” Following New Ellie Goulding Single Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/silk-city-drops-especially-4-u-vol-3-following-new-ellie-goulding-single/ Your EDM has been following Metaspion for a while now, since his debut album Folktronica Shmolktronica released back in 2018. His sound then pushed the boundaries of both Scandinavian folk and EDM, landing somewhere on the experimental end of both spectrums and creating inspired and soothing sounds along the way. Now, several teaser singles later, his sophomore album Cryptomeduza released late last year and he’s not on the experimental side of anything. This album goes full on into both EDM and Nordic folk, pulling no punches as he fully merges the two seemingly unmergable genres. How full-on are we talking? Well, there’s literal yodels in the album’s opening track, “Kundalini,” so there’s your answer. With a 90s industrial breaks feel to the beat and music, this track is about as EDM as a track gan get while still having ancient Norse cattle calls inserted into it. It’s not just the vocal work in Cryptomeduza that adds the Norse folk feel to it, however, although that’s a significant part of it. The synth melodies are also loaded with traditional folk sounds. They often follow the vocals, but they also set up the melodic structure of each track. The album’s title track builds its synths around a pagan-sounding chant, as does the track after it, “Desire.” These types of chants build in intensity just like a good EDM track, and ornamented with lots of traditional analog instrumentation as they are, each track becomes a heavy passion bomb with lots of unexpected sounds. Getting into the meat of Cryptomeduza, Metaspion plays with more current sounding EDM beats like leftfield drum and bass, halftime and dubstep in tracks like “Push,” Gandr” and “Motherfucker.” These tracks, unsurprisingly, don’t have quite as much folk cachet but make no mistake: it’s there. In the case of “Motherfucker,” for example, it’s in the form of low, loose violins that compliment the bass synth. These are some of the most powerful tracks of the album, as that bass really taps into the primal pagan feeling many people associate with Norse history and mythology. Getting even more dancey, tracks like “Turbo Tommy,” “What Happened?” and “Rotnheims-Knut” being big room vibes with house, techno and mixed breakbeat and drum and bass, respectively. Every track on the album has a solid EDM structure, with an intro, a massive build and an even bigger drop. The electronica pierces through the folk sometimes, while other times they roll along together. Through this type of sound design on Cryptomeduza, Metaspion recognizes for the audience that folk and electronica are different in almost every way possible, but he refuses to accept the idea that they can’t play together, and even sound cool. The end result is this album, a joyful homage to both his musical loves with lots of tracks that are more than viable on the dancefloor. Cryptomediza is out now and can be streamed on Spotify or Bandcamp, where it can also be purchased. Check out Metaspion’s YouTube channel for more videos. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Metaspion Emerges From the Electronic Fjords of Norway to Bring Us ‘Cryptomeduza’ [Video] Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/28/metaspion-emerges-from-the-electronic-fjords-of-norway-to-bring-us-cryptomeduza-video/ Petey Martin Steps into Spotlight with Latest Smash Featuring Lauren Daigle Come Back Home1/27/2021 We love a great story and today features such a pinnacle moment. Petey Martin has always be Kygo’s go-to collaborator assisting the pitch-bending, melody king in crafting his latest hits. Well today the protege has turned main stage act with the release of his first completely solo release, ‘Come Back Home’ featuring two-time Grammy winner Lauren Daigle. ‘Come Back Home’ is an anthemic single with massive wide sound combining Petey’s flawless piano house production with Lauren’s powerhouse vocals. After producing Celine Dion’s “Ashes” from the “Deadpool 2” Motion Picture Soundtrack, Petey under the guidance of Kygo’s Palm Tree Records then went on to collaborate with Kygo, Matoma, and SEEB so is no beginner to melodic giants. We cannot wait to continue to bring you updates on this multifaceted talented producer. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Petey Martin Steps into Spotlight with Latest Smash Featuring Lauren Daigle, ‘Come Back Home’ Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/27/petey-martin-steps-into-spotlight-with-latest-smash-featuring-lauren-daigle-come-back-home/ It’s always a pleasure to share another graduate alumni from Berklee College of Music and today we have the arrival of Danny Spade. Already racking up over 150,000 streams on his first two releases. His latest release hooked features bounces basslines, waves of melodic harmony and a super infectious summer feel to keep us warm during this winter days. This easy listening and well produced track is definitely one for the workout and roadtrip playlists, enjoy. This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Danny Spade Teams Up with Tara Louise on Infectious Dance Track, ‘Hooked’ Via https://www.youredm.com/2021/01/27/danny-spade-teams-up-with-tara-louise-on-infectious-dance-track-hooked/ |
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April 2023
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