Age Is Just A Number: Starring Mr. FijiWiji

On the first occasion in which I stumbled across anything vaguely related to this next artist, Mr. FijiWiji, it was actually a remix of “Fire Inside” by Skrux, a track that The Fij had also remixed, originally by Gemini. After a few listens, I made it a point to expand my horizons and find other renditions of the already legendary original. I was captivated by Brendan Galdo’s (Mr Fijiwiji) ability to synthesize this uncanny, simplistic beauty on each of his tunes (including the “Fire Inside” remix), while maintaining a rather minimalistic production method throughout.

Methodical and deliberate – two words that describe Mr. FijiWiji perfectly.

Additionally, when I say simple, I most certainly DO NOT mean effortless or easy. A production with fewer tracks has little room for error, with less instruments to cover up poorly mastered sounds. Brendan did a particularly great job of making his instruments vivid, crystal clear and incredibly euphonic on his two new songs, “Pure Sunlight” and “Under Your Cloud,” the latter being a remix of Myon & Shane 54 + Late Night Alumni.

It would seem that the future has nothing but great things in store for this 18 year old producer hailing from Pittsburgh. I certainly cannot wait to hear more. Show your love via the links below.

YouTube: youtube.com/mrfijiwiji
Facebook: facebook.com/mrfijiwiji
Twitter: twitter.com/mrfijiwiji
Soundcloud: @mrfijiwiji

Bassnectar Loves Change, And You Should Too (NEW)

This is most certainly a pleasant change of pace for Lorin, a seasoned veteran when it comes it the “dirty dirty.”

Most (if not all) of my fond memories involving the music of Bassnectar revolve around one thing: grime. However, it was the filthy nature of his beats that attracted me towards his music to begin with. It only seems right that he is now switching it up a bit, attracting a larger audience and offering fans a wider spectrum of melodies, tones and instruments. After all, everyone likes variety, right?

Well, probably not. Face it, people suck and they HATE change.

Personally, I welcome it. That is, pending the artist in question continues to produce euphonic compositions. So far, I have not run into any disgruntled “Bass Heads”; I could very well see handfuls of his die-hards being a bit perturbed with his recent lighter, more melodic take on music production.

“Who cares?”

If there’s grass on the pitch let’s play.

Meaning, if it exists, why not listen? “You and Me” is nothing short of a top-quality jam. It may not sound like it’s coming from the same Bassnectar you thought you knew, but apparently, you never really knew him to begin with. What do you think about that?

Mr. Ashton’s new album titled “Noise Vs. Beauty” drops June 24th on Amorphous Music.

Watch for it.

Monstercat 017 – Ascension Ascends the Label Even Further

Over the past two years, I have watched this next label transform from the likes of a promising, transgenre EDM collective (with loads of potential) into the fierce jungle feline you see before you today.

Monstercat is most certainly where it’s at when discussing labels that have set the tone for the next few years of electronic dance music releases.

How, you ask?

Well, that next part is a bit tricky.

To begin, this Vancouver-based music label has elucidated talents from some of the most unheard of, eclectic groups of musicians in all of dance music. Not only have they championed said undiscovered artists onto the scene, but these new talents have proceeded to swell their fair share of waves in this vastly expanding ocean we affectionately refer to as the “EDM-o-sphere.” A quick glance at the “current roster” on the official Monstercat web page will reveal a staggering number of widely popular producers you may not have necessarily associated with MCat.

7 Minutes Dead, Astronaut, Au5, Braken, Case & Point, Direct, DotEXE, Dzeko & Torres, Droptek, Falcon Funk, Favright, Fractal, Haywyre, Hellburg, Insan3lik3, Krewella, Lets Be Friends, Mr Fijiwiji, Noisestorm, PIXL, Pegboard Nerds, Project 46, Rameses B, Razihel, Rogue, Soulero, Splitbreed, Stephen Walking, Throttle, Tristam, Tut Tut Child, Varien and Vicetone.

(Just to name a few of my favorites.)

However, words will only get me so far. You need to HEAR what I mean.

Without hesitation, the fat cats over at MC have released their 17th compilation LP to date. So far, “Monstercat 017 – Ascension” has garnered attention from every corner of the EDM world, making this their most supported album to date! With a four-hour laundry list of tracks, fantastic production quality throughout, and loads of prodigal EDM producers on top of it all, Monstercat presents to you a release that will only serve to exacerbate their stranglehold on the EDM industry.

Keep it up boys and girls.

The Top 5 EPs of This (1/3) Year

These are never easy. Besides dealing with the inevitable bickering that occurs between the FTWubz crew members, I get a lot of shit from my sixty year old mother actually. She likes that super grimy shit, you know? The kind of music you get down and ultra dirty to. She’s really into free love these days. Look her up.

However, I’m probably going to get a frying pan upside the head for this next list…maybe the LAXX will save me.

5. LAXX – Step One [Never Say Die]

Going hard in the paint, err…I mean studio.

4. Various Artists – Prophication Remix EP [Mau5trap]

Giant remixes to an even bigger EP from last year.

3. Kill Paris – Foreplay EP [OWSLA]

Thank you for another awkward music boner KP.

2. Seven Lions – Worlds Apart [Casablanca Records]

You kidding me, Seven Lions? You’re not of this Earth.

1. Galantis – Galantis EP [Big Beat Records]

Christian Karlsson of Miike Snow and Linus Eklow aka Style Of Eye = Galantis

Honorable Mention: Barely Alive – Lost In The Internet EP [Disciple]

Just about every producer and their mother have attempted to remix a piece of Barely Alive’s latest masterpiece.