Five for Monday: 21st Jan 2019
Akira Complex - Dying Scarlet
Bat-eating Japanese DJ/producer Hommarju and US producer Akira Complex have teamed up again for a new electronic EP called "Break Stasis", the second following their earlier collaboration EP "We Are Connected" about connecting as musicians across the globe and connecting English with non-English audiences. The final track "Dying Scarlet" on the new EP fades in smoothly with driving synths, adds lovely melodic high pitch vocal chops and builds the atmosphere until the drop revealing the kick drum at last.
Convex - Pain (feat. Tyler Shamy)
Addictive piano and energetic electronic production from LA-based producer Convex underpins Tyler Shamy's honest vocals on their new single together called "Pain". Convex wrote on Facebook: "This song means a lot to me. We're all seeking more meaningful connections with the people we love, but sometimes we can become addicted to a toxic relationship. We lose the best part of ourselves. Whether you've felt that pain or not, you can't give up. I hope you enjoy this new song."
Zack Morgan adopted the name Convex after moving from rock music to producing electronic music instead. With support from the likes of Knife Party, Tièˆsto and Black Tiger Sex Machine, Convex has made big impression in the dance scene in only a few short years. For more, check out his recent half hour mix "Emissary Mix Vol. II" on SoundCloud, and also his vlogs on Facebook, such as this one where he attended Decadence on New Year's Eve.
Backseat Vinyl - Die Cool
The vocals on "Die Cool" from Denver-based rock band Backseat Vinyl just come straight out and hit ya: "I guess I'm really not a man, it's never been this bad, I don't wanna end up like a rewrite of my dad, that style's way too sad." Luckily they've set them to a punk rock soundtrack with grungy bass, energetic drums and slammin' guitars. Die Cool is the opening track of their fantastic new album "Sad Frenzy" which you can hear live if you're in the US as they're currently touring through multiple states until March. See their Facebook for more. Check out their wild video clip for the track below!
ReauBeau - CTRL (feat. Amanda Collis)
Netherlands-based producer ReauBeau's recent electronic single "CTRL" from his upcoming EP has a distinctively rough edge to it, bending the rules of scale slightly for the drop melody, much like the attitude of the song, "...to stop caring about the industry and keep on going, doing it yourself, and, most importantly, believe in yourself and NEVER GIVE UP!" While pop sounding, you can hear soul and R&B influences coming through on the fantastic vocals from Rotterdam-based vocalist Amanda Collis. Speaking on the release and collaboration, Collis wrote on Instagram: "The writing part went like butterflies in the sky, effortless. We both wrote our hearts out and I'm happy it's finally [out] for everyone!"
Mountkid & Harley Bird - Drown In You
German producer Mountkid and LA-based vocalist Harley Bird have teamed up for their wonderful new single "Drown In You". Having debuted in April last year with his single "No Lullaby", Mountkid has shown an impressive talent for production with a unique style of infusing 8-bit sounds. Drown In You is no exception, seamlessly mixing retro sounds with modern electronic dance pop. Harley Bird, formerly the frontman for alt rock band The Shadow Heist from 2014-2016, has a fantastic voice full of feeling and energy - and those moments of falsetto, oh! - mixing perfectly with electronic tracks such as this. He's collaborated with the likes of Alan Walker, Morgan Page, The Chainsmokers and more. Keep an ear out for these two, they're set to go far!