Category Archives: Trance

It's been a work-in-progress since 2015

Published Jan 10, 2022

"After my albums [sic] out I have like a 35 track nightcore album I've been making since 2015 that I think rly [sic] needs to come out," the famous Marxist wrote on Twitter this Saturday (January 8), adding: "I don't think it makes a ton of sense but it's getting so absurdly long lol."

The album in reference is presumably her mysteriousBook 1, from which she shared first chapter "Player of Games" last month, alongside a videowhere she faces off with a stand-in for ex Elon Musk.

Now, you might be worriedly thinking to yourself, "What evenisnightcore?" It's kind of embarrassing that you don't know, but we'll break it down in brief: named after the Norwegian DJ duo credited with spearheading the sub-genre in the early 2000s, nightcore is based in the practice of pitch-shifting and speeding up trance or Eurodance tracks. (Hyperpop is considered a derivative of it.)

Basically, it's a reverse Red (Taylor's Version) vinyl situationin that it sounds like playing a record pressed at 33 1/3 RPM at 45 RPM.

Since a tracklist of 35 songs goes even beyondDondaterritory, one Twitter response suggested that the artist create a server that hosts all of her music and automatically uploads new demos to give fans "a constant drip," to which she replied:"Let's dooooo it."

It sounds like some high-pitched, high-speed music of the night could be coming down the pipeline anytime now. See the tweet from Grimes below, which includes a selfie for good measure.

After my albums out I have like a 35 track nightcore album I've been making since 2015 that I think rly needs to come out i don't think it makes a ton of sense but it's getting so absurdly long lol pic.twitter.com/8vZDBlcOEo

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Grimes Has a 35-Track Nightcore Album That "Needs to Come Out" - Exclaim!

By: Zephyr Melton January 10, 2022

According to Top 100 Teacher Martin Chuck, the biggest difference between good and bad golfers can be seen before they even swing.

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There are countless differences between good golfers and bad ones, and you can probably even name a few distinctions yourself. They have different clubs. They dress different. They use different terminology. And, obviously, they swing different.

However, according to one GOLF Top 100 Teacher, the biggest difference between good and bad golfers is not on the list above. In fact, the largest distinction can be seen before a player even initiates their swing.

The simplest thing is poor routine, Martin Chuck says. The best players have a routine that puts them into almost a subconscious trance.

Exhibit A: Tiger Woods. While his swing was (and is) among the best of all time, its his repeatable pre-shot routine that put him in position to succeed over and over.

Every time he would decide on his shot the moment he took a step toward the golf ball until the ball was in the air was pretty much spot-on timing, Chuck says. I could take a brand-new golfer and teach them how to walk into a golf shot and you would think they are fantastic golfers. All it would take is me teaching them the routine of a good player.

The best pre-shot routines calm the mind and put you in a mental state that allows for a solid swing. Chuck likens a good pre-shot routine to triggering an auto-pilot mentality. And even if you dont hit a good shot every time after going through your routine, you are at least eliminating a variable and controlling one more thing in the process.

That little dance prior to hitting a shot really separates poor players from good players, Chuck says. And thats something you dont even have to hit a golf ball to learn.

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and womens golf.

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Top 100 Teacher: This is the biggest difference between good and bad golfers - Golf.com

American house producers and labelmates Roy Lacroix and Kyle Zuck have come together to put out a deep new house collaboration called Elevate. You may not have heard of them before, but this track will surely make you know their names.

The duo, releasing a song together for the first time, are both still relatively up and coming in the greater EDM scene. If this song is anything to go by, that status wont stick with them for too much longer. The pair are both signed to burgeoning New York City label Holy Mol Music; Lacroix, based out of Los Angeles, also makes music under Psycho Disco and OFDM. Similarly, New Yorks Zuck also produces under the banners of Box of Cats and Popgang.

Elevate wastes no time getting into the groove- from the moment it begins, razor-sharp cymbals and subtly strong drums invite and entice you in before you know it, youve been put under an unshakeable spell. The house side of the song shines through clearly, but theres also a hint of trance flavor to the track thats just impossible to ignore. The captivating repetition of the songs few lyrics (Everyday I elevate/I need it just to regulate) combines with a bass line and synths that creep in and slowly take over. The result is a track that grows on you over time- like an old classic, you find something new and interesting every time you revisit it. Itll certainly claim a spot on your playlist.

To listen to Elevate, from Roy Lacroix and Kyle Zuck, click here to check it out via Youtube or here for links to Holy Mol Winter Fresh Volume 3, the compilation where the song is featured.

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Roy Lacroix and Kyle Zuck go hard on thumping "Elevate": Listen - We Rave You

The relationship betweenPegboard Nerdsand Monstercatis the gift that keeps on a giving.

The Scandinavian bass music duo are longtime favorites of the Monstercat faithful, releasing music on the powerhouse indie electronic music label at a dizzying pace over the course of the last decade. Tracks like 2012's "Disconnected" and 2016's "Weaponize" continue to be rinsed by their dance music contemporaries in DJ sets and music festival performances.

Pegboard Nerds have now returned to Monstercat with a riveting single called "Shine," which arrives under the imprint's "Uncaged" banner. A drum & bass banger, the new track was produced in collaboration with fellow electronic music duo Sophon, the side project of Pegboard Nerds' Alexander Odden and producer Subsquare. Take a listen below.

"Its kind of a perfect Scandinavian sandwich of drums and bass, topped with the retro gaming-esque leads, chant-able hooks, and high production quality Pegboard Nerds are known for," the duo said in a joint statement. "We have always dabbled with drum and bass, but its fun to just go all-in on a track like this. It is such a banger and has such a joyous feel and a dance-floor ready drop. Sadly weve only had a few gigs so far during the pandemic, but on every single one, 'Shine' has made the crowd lose their minds. Its been a sight for sore eyes during this crappy time."

"Were excited for the first Sophon release on Monstercat," added Sophon. "Its been a lot of fun to work on this. Alex and I share many melodic sensibilities, having grown up with a lot of dance and trance music in the 90s. When we started Sophon, we used the opportunity to switch things up, production-wise, and 'Shine' is the first track where weve used BitWig Studio all the way through.

You can listen to "Shine" on your go-to streaming platform here.

Facebook: facebook.com/PegboardNerdsTwitter: twitter.com/PegboardNerdsInstagram: instagram.com/pegboardnerdsSpotify: spoti.fi/3fqsro9

Twitter: twitter.com/sophonkicksnareInstagram:instagram.com/sophonkicksnareSpotify:spoti.fi/3HIKl1o

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Pegboard Nerds and Sophon Team Up for Drum & Bass Banger "Shine" - EDM.com

Oh, the holidays!

Just hear those coins jingle-ing and notifications ring-ting tingle-ing as exemplary adults prank their laughable children on camera before humbly surprising them with overpriced toys. Viral trends are replacing vital traditions. The overcommercialization of holidays has left family time behind and brought competition for consumers to boast expensive presents for online clout.

Traditional holidays have morphed into something unrecognizable. Many of us have been consumed by the lure of social media. Screens all around the world displayed events that were bright, shiny and perfect. But the holidays as I remember it entail quarreling with family and friends, missing flights and last-minute shopping everything but perfection, just the way Macaulay Culkin and I like it. Messy emotions, interpersonal dynamics and ugly sweaters are what make people crave the holiday nostalgia every year. Those stuck in the interweb are dispirited when coming back to our beautifully chaotic reality.

Vulnerable social media users lose their holiday cheer when they compare their own lives to one-minute staged videos. The actual reality of the holidays begins to merge with the fabricated version created by social media, setting unrealistic standards that minimize peoples self worth if they cannot meet them.

Algorithms boost videos that show large, wealthy, nuclear families since they attract the most engagement. This happy-go-lucky picture falsely portrays what festivities truly looked like for many people this year travel restrictions, budget issues, illnesses and more. Many hide their struggles from social media, yet continue dancing for all of the likes and comments, pleasing strangers rather than prioritizing time with their loved ones.

I fell on my own sword over break by downloading TikTok. Sure enough, I witnessed countless videos of children recorded like puppets as they opened their presents, obliviously in front of millions of viewers. Parents are just as susceptible to social medias trance as their kids, wanting to fit in, show off and be accepted by others. They post their children receiving expensive presents and luxurious vacations to play the part of a good parent in the eyes of viewers. The value of holidays are now determined by the quality of gifts rather than quality time. Memories are not being lived, but instead stored in our phones and saved for later.

Influencers posing with the newest must-have items are the first dominoes to fall before everyone rapidly winds up with the same things. Online gift guides and viral products have stripped away the personalization and uniqueness of presents. For example, as I searched through Google for dad gifts, I went through several different sites showing the same sponsored lists. Holiday presents were once a form of communication, connection and love, but have since emerged into competition, approval and striving for perceived status.

I worry people are becoming cookie-cutter versions of one another, losing all individuality by copying viral styles, products and whatever else is trending next. The holidays are supposed to look different to everyone, but users are falling for social medias glamorized portrayal of what celebration is supposed to look like. Those who cannot meet the high expectations feel inferior to those performing online. Younger audiences are disconnecting from traditions and disengaging from intimacy due to these depictions. They become the pawns in this commercialized game and continue the cycle by re-posting themselves, entrapping the next victims.

I always imagined my future children running down the staircase, ripping open their gifts made by Crayola, as Disney channel commercials play in the background just as I did. But as I watch social media swiftly captivate the world, I fear that it has already influenced the holiday experience for my future family. I may have unknowingly celebrated my very last traditional holiday.

Anita Bengert writes primarily about her perspective of 21st century America, the influence of social media, and the humor behind societal flaws.

Originally posted here:

Opinion | Cant wrap a pretty bow over the ugliness of social media - The Pitt News

Trance music icon Armin van Buuren has taken over Spotify's "Trance Classics" playlist and filled it with his favorite trance anthems of all-time.

The list contains 50nostalgictracks from Above & Beyond, Tisto, Gareth Emery, 4 Strings, Ian van Dahl, Marsha, and many more.

van Buuren was recently named in EDM.com's "Best of 2021: Songs" list in the trance category, where his single "Turn The World Into a Dancefloor" was honored alongside songs byAlpha 9,Ilan Bluestone & Ellen Smith, Au5 & HALIENE, and Aly & Fila & Jes.

Before 2021 came to a wrap, van Buurenperformedin front of 20,000 fansat halftime of a Chicago Bulls' game against the Knicks at United Center. He opened with the Bulls' iconic theme song, which was famouslyremixed by Pretty Lights in 2011.

van Buuren's fabled "A State of Trance" show will be making a return to Los Angeles on April 9th of this year at Banc of California Stadium. The show has become a staple for rising trance artists. ASOT also celebrated its 1,000th episodelast year.

Check out Armin van Buuren's selection of trance hits for Spotify's "Trance Classics" playlist below.

Facebook: facebook.com/arminvanbuurenTwitter: twitter.com/arminvanbuurenInstagram: instagram.com/arminvanbuurenSpotify: spoti.fi/2WHsl2t

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Armin van Buuren Curates Spotify Playlist With His Favorite Trance Anthems of All-Time - EDM.com

Throughout the history of music, there have been several major trends, movements, and revolutions. Many dynamic genres have formed and grown in the fast-changing globe. Disk Jockeying was the most revolutionary of the lot.

Its the DJ who mixes classic songs with a current, lively vibe, like a remix. Jimmy Savile was the first DJ in the world, and since then, numerous DJs have sprung up over the globe. Only a handful of new musicians can break into the worldwide music industry every year. In this article, well discuss the top 10 Best DJs in the World.

Different trends and movements have emerged throughout the history of music that profoundly transformed the globe. When an old song is introduced with a fresh twist, it was called Disk Jockeying. Here is the list of Top 10 DJs that made the world follow them blindly.

More than two decades after he first burst onto the scenario, the music of David Guetta is still being played in clubs and on the radio. Among other things, hes a DJ in France, a record producer, an audio engineer, a composer, and more.

The breadth of his musical taste and technical prowess has earned him the title of best DJ. Hes the best-selling solo artist of all time, with more than 30 million albums and 9 million singles sold worldwide. DJ Mags Top 100 DJs elected Guetta the number one DJ in 2011.

ThisDutch trance maestro was a U2-size attraction in Europe long before DJs became superstars in the United States, delivering massive synth bombs from Ibiza to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Until recently, his music was a shiver-inducing trance spiral, but it has now developed into chunkier electro-based beats.

Despite his alleged $20 million a year salary, hes not going to stop with the millions of followers. According to Tiesto, Skrillex has an entirely different fanbase than I do. So I can get his and other DJs respect and admiration. What people know about me is that I am Tiesto, but they have no idea what I do.

Martin Garrix, also known as Martijn Gerard Garritsen, is one of the worlds best DJs and record producers. Utrecht Universitys Herman Brood Academy awarded this Dutch DJ a degree in sound production.

Some of the finest progressive house music experiments have been created by Martin,thanks to his expertise and talents. As of right now, hes the most popular EDM DJ in the world with the most Instagram followers.

Known for his progressive house tracks, Armin van Buuren is a famous DJ, record producer, and remixer in the music industry. A prominent radio show called The State of Trance has had worldwide popularity with its six tunes.

Armin was born in Leiden, South Holland Composing music and DJing at local clubs and pubs began when he was just 14 years old.

Over time, he saw his music career take off. His focus shifted from the law to music in the early 2000s. Since then, he has released several compilations containing the progressive house and vocal trance.

Deadmau5 is the stage name of Joel Zimmerman, a well-known DJ. In addition, he is a talented musician and producer of electronic music. As well as being one of the most well-known masked DJs in the game, like Claptone and Marshmello, he mostly focuses on producing progressive house music.

Among the highest-paid producers in the world, he has six Grammy nominations to his credit for his outstanding work.

One of the best DJs in the world is Dutch electro house DJ Hardwell, a record producer, remixer, and remixer virtuoso. For the second year in a row, DJ Mag has named him the best DJ in the world. Third in DJ Mags list of the worlds most influential electronic music artists.

The DJs tracks and remixes, as well as his constant appearances at music festivals, have earned him a cult following. Since he started his own record company, hes released eleven compilation CDs and one documentary film.

Dj and record producer Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known by his stage name Diplo, is a well-known DJ in the electronic dance music (EDM) and electro house (EH) sectors.

M.I.A. was the first international artist thatDiplo partnered with, and he has since collaborated with numerous other international musicians, including Madonna, Justin Bieber, JD Snake, Major Lazer, and Skrillex.

American DJ Sonny Moore, better known by his stage name, Skrillex. From Dubstep, MoomBahton, and electro house music his tracks have always offered something new and exciting.

His musical journey began in 2004 as a lead vocalist, but he eventually realized his passion for mixing and writing music. He began to earn notoriety as a diverse DJ in 2008. Eight Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Annie Awards are among the accolades the artist has received.

His music career began in 2007 and a new EDM universe has formed since then. Additionally, he has been ranked as one of the worlds richest DJs for the past decade. He has collaborated with several high-profile artists, including Rihanna, Ne-Yo, and more.

Also called the Marshmello, DJ Chris Comstock is a brilliant DJ and EDM producer noted for his trademark marshmallow headwear. The musician has developed a unique feel good EDM genre that titillates listeners immediately. While working on remixes and compositions, he collaborated with various musicians. In Billboards Hot 100, his tracks have ranked in the top 30.

This is our list of best DJs in the world. Dont be disheartened if you dont find your favorite DJ on the list. Also, do share with us your favorite DJ.

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10 Best DJs in the World Right Now - TheTealMango

Rajesh Kumar, orRavoXias he is popularly known by his stage name, is the Indian-born producer expanding new horizons in the EDM scene. RavoXi is a talented artist whos changing Indias perceptions of EDM, ushering them into the world of quality dance music. His music is always an earworm, and he lets it speak for itself, with its melodic, uplifting, and energetic vibes.

The Bangalore-based artist focuses heavily on melodies that encourage the listener to come back again and again and never forget. In the world of forgotten songs and forgotten melodies, youll never forget RavoXis music when you listen to it. He has a heavy share of fans from Europe and the Americas, and they share positive feedback, sharing his crafts impact with him.

His first song, Massive, came out of this hustle and was at first only released on YouTube, where it garnered tens of thousands of views within days. It was such a success that labels approached RavoXi, finally releasing it on streaming platforms. He now considers its success to be everything he was looking for in a debut track as it exceeded his expectations, ushering in his journey to the mainstream.

RavoXis songs have since been featured on several radio stations across the globe, most notably on Europes largest web radio RauteMusik. Some of his tracks have also been featured on EDM Charts (one of the biggest networks with authority in the EDM genre), Paradise Networks, ESEA Trance, Bangalore Trance, Party India, and many more.

RavoXi believes that perseverance is the key, no matter if the odds are stacked against you. Even if you know nothing, just pursue your goal, and youll find ways to accomplish it. The answer lies in learning about what you dont know and researching things effectively to progress you towards your goal. Theres so much noise out there when it comes to learning about music productionthere is an abundance of information.

But there is a lack of right information. Be mindful of what you are learning, and always first ask yourself why you are learning. Learn from the masters in the field and not just anybody. They have the sweet magic they have learned through decades of experience. Always look for credibility in the people you are learning from.

An ambitious individual,RavoXisees himself collaborating with other big artists who are doing great in the industry. This includes working with some of the artists that inspired him, such as Viz, Dubvision, StadiumX, Divinity, Yoel Lewis, Ilan Bluestone, and many others. With his music gaining a massive following in South America, RavoXi has already laid plans to tour the region. Its a place close to his heart, and he is certain hell perform there in the coming years. He cant wait to meet and interact with his fans there and give them a taste of his electric performances.

In the long-term, RavoXi envisions owning his own record label and a network that inspires and creates a community of producers from India. He wants to help them represent India on the global stage and be appreciated worldwide.

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RavoXi Is Expanding New Horizons in the EDM Scene - AllHipHop

By SKYLER ASHLEY

As comic artist Ryan Claytor sat down to begin work on his latest graphic novel, A Hunters Tale, he revisited the poetry of his late grandfather. The poems lifted Claytor off into a nostalgic trance and in his minds eye he sees his grandfather. Hes trudging through woodlands rifle in tow; his loyal dog by his side. The calm November air is as crisp as the freshly fallen leaves on the ground and the winds bittersweet bite heightens his senses.

A Hunters Tale is a story driven by a powerful connection between a grandson and his grandfather, the respect mother nature commands of us all and the eternal conflict and reluctant bond of the hunter and the hunted.

I feel like Ive been able to see this poem for a long time. This is a very visual, narrative-driven poem about two seemingly disparate subjects: a hunter and his prey. Over the course of the poem, they form an unlikely understanding of one another, Claytor said.

Claytor, 42, is an adept illustrator and an expert in the vast world of comic books. He coordinates Michigan State Universitys comic art and graphic novel minor and is the colleges first ever professor to teach comic studio courses. In 2009, Claytors work was exhibited by the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. In 2019, he co-authored Coin-Op Carnival, a four-volume comic series that takes readers on a deep dive into the world of pinball.

Comics are made of words and images, and together they can create literally anything. There is no budget you have a pencil and paper, and you can make whatever you want, Claytor said.

Claytor began work on A Hunters Tale serialized in City Pulse for four weeks, beginning today last year, with the full book scheduled for release this month. While the illustrations are wholly original, the narration and dialogue are taken directly from an old poem written by his late grandfather, Charles Kermit Claytor.

Its been with me for as long as I can remember, Claytor said of the poem. It was written in 1983, and its been a part of my life for a long time. He wrote a number of poems, but whenever I got to this one, I stopped dead in my tacks. Its my absolute favorite.

The elder Claytor was born in the Midwest, growing up in the small town of Alma, Illinois. But he didnt learn to hunt until he moved to the outlands of Arizona. He developed a wickedly accurate shot with his rifle, as each piece of game he came across had to be taken out with just one hit. For if he fired more than a single round at a time, the game warden would be able to quickly locate and charge Charles Claytor, who was living off the land illegally.

My grandfather lived an interesting life. He was born in the early 1900s and was diagnosed with tuberculosis and a young age, Claytor said. From my understanding, at that time, tuberculosis was essentially a death sentence. He was told to go out to the deserts of Arizona in hope that the dry desert air would cure him of the disease. Thats what he did, he moved to Arizona and lived off the land. Because Im here, you can surmise he made it through.

Claytor is not a hunter. He details that he lacks the fortitude to even place a worm on a hook. But contemplating his grandfathers predicament far from home and penniless, resorting to killing and catching game in order to feed himself forced Claytor to think emphatically. Claytor ultimately reached the conclusion that if his hand was forced, he would follow the same path as his grandfather. This approach to reaching an understanding with something unfamiliar is one of the major themes Claytor hopes to get across in A Hunters Tale.

I think if I were in that situation, I would have done the same thing. This poem has taught me empathy on a number of different levels as well. I am so excited to share that with more people, Claytor said.

After his time as a wild man in Arizona, Charles Claytor eventually moved to Colorado, where he lived in a riverside log cabin. In his childhood, Claytor would visit his grandfather during the summer. He has vivid memories of walking alongside the river that appears on the first page of A Hunters Tale. Charles Claytor died in 1999 at age 93.

Looking back, I think its really to inspiring to know what he went through and how well he came out after all that, Claytor said.

The genesis of A Hunters Tale was further driven by the convergence of major watershed moments in American society that took place in the past two tumultuous years including the failed insurrection at the Capitol Building and the murder of George Floyd. Claytor cites his growing sense of visceral division across the United States as further inspiration to pen a graphic novel that explores themes of empathetic understanding and coming together in spite of differences.

Weve all been through the past two years together; I dont have to explain it all. With each passing day, it seems like we become more separated from one another, Claytor said. In this day and age, its so easy to click defriend and cut people out of your life and surround yourself with people who think very similarly to you. I feel that is dangerous. We should be open to listening and trying to understand people who are different from us.

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The complex empathy between the hunter and his prey: How 'A Hunter's Tale' tells a story of understanding - City Pulse

2021 may not have been the year we all got back to the club in full force, but that doesnt mean it wasnt a great time for dance music. And while we spent the majority of our time longing for the days we could be pressed against a couple hundred sweaty strangers all thrumming to the same kick drum, the soundtrack to our at-home raves did not disappoint.

With a lot of highly anticipated debuts and previously delayed follow ups finally seeing the light of day, the year saw massive offerings from the likes of established names like Porter Robinson, Boys Noize and Danny L Harle, as well as strong showings from newcomers like SHERELLE and Wavedash.

Whether youre looking for nostalgic indie dance, headbanging dubstep, forward-thinking mutant techno, over the top hardcore rave, throwback house, blistering fast drum and bass or something that defies easy categorization, there was a little something there for whatever type of beat gets you going.

Danny L Harle "Harlecore"

An album so massive they had to build a mythical multi-story megaclub to contain it, PC Music OG Danny L Harles debut, Harlecore, feels like the closest thing you could get to the purest distillation of rave euphoria. From soaring hooks to stadium-sized synths and teeth-chattering bass, Harle explores the emotional extremes of every ravey genre under the sun. Enlisting the help of Hudson Mohawke, Caroline Polachek and Lil Data to create the DJ personas of a hammer-wielding werewolf, an ethereal jellyfish and a hyperactive blue mascot respectively, Harle takes the concept of a fantasy rave compilation and pushes it to cartoonish proportions while still making some of the years most impeccable dance music.

Leon Vynehall "Rare, Forever"

Straddling the line between sonic experimentation and forward-thinking dancefloor-ready rhythms, British producer Leon Vynehalls latest album was one of the more forward-thinking club records to drop this year. Balancing moody interludes full of dulcet saxophone tones and distorted noise composition with giddy bursts of frenzied percussion and four-on-the-floor stompers, Rare, Forever unfolds like a descent into a damp, dark cave with expansive hits of bass and deftly plucked strings reverberating off the walls. Its a bizarre beast of a dance record, but one that draws you in with every quirk, twist and turn it takes you along the way.

Boys Noize "+/-"

The fifth studio album from veteran DJ and producer, Alex Ridha AKA Boys Noize, +/- (pronounced polarity) runs the gambit from sweaty hard-hitting industrial electro to Berghain-ready techno, ethereal indie dance, experimental beatmaking and everything in between. Making use of his own extensive modular synth collection, Ridha brings forth a bevy of new anthems and bangers that feel right in line with what one would expect of a Boys Noize record, while still sounding fresh and new. Featuring the likes of Kelsey Lu, ABRA, Tommy Cash, Chilly Gonzales, Rico Nasty and more, +/- marries Ridhas club prowess with his finely honed pop sensibilities for one of Boys Noizes strongest offerings to date.

Wavedash "World Famous Tour"

Having established themselves in the dubstep scene at a time when all the major players had moved on, Wavedash looked to make a distinct departure from what they were known best for with their debut album. Taking cues from their musical idols like Porter Robinson and Skrillex, World Famous Tour sees the producer trio branch out from the growling bass heavy bangers (although there is still plenty of that on the album not to fear), exploring Rustie-esque maximalist drops, moody drum and bass, pensive ambient compositions, Soundcloud-era future bass, hyperpop and a few things that defy easy categorization. If you want to know what the future of EDM sounds like, Wavedash is a good place to start.

CFCF "memoryland"

This one's for all the '90s kids out there. Montreal producer CFCF drenched his latest album in a healthy layer of nostalgia to craft a record that sounds like it was tucked away between a copy of Mobys Play and a yellowed 12 of Aphex Twins Windowlicker." Leaning heavily into the electronica side of dance music, memoryland includes bits of shoegaze, punk, French touch, disco, funk, IDM and more all collaged together like a musical scrapbook. Tracks like Life is Perfecto and the epic eight minute Night/Day/Work/Home walk the line between Oneohtrix Point Nevers experimentalism and Four Tets dancefloor warmth for a blissful mix of accessible and cutting-edge.

Porter Robinson "Nuture"

The long awaited follow up to 2014s landmark debut, Worlds, Porter Robinsons sophomore album, Nurture, had a lot to live up to and did not disappoint. Straying further into the indie side of dance music with a few experimental detours along the way, Robinson builds on the heavily processed vocals and soaring maximal sound he honed on his first record with even more emphasis on songwriting and personal sentiment. An album born out of his own struggles with mental health and writers block, Nurture sees Robinson be more vulnerable than ever by opening up about anxiety, gushing about finding love and celebrating the artform itself. From the cinematic fireworks of album high points such as Look at the Sky and Something Comforting to the twitchy pastoral interludes like Wind Tempos and do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do, Robinsons Nurture is a record worth holding near and dear to your heart.

Koreless "Agor"

Arriving a full decade after the producer released his first single, Koreless debut album, Agor, was more than well worth the wait. Full of bright trance synths, copious vocal samples and drumless beats all interwoven through a series of amorphous interludes and extended transitions, Agor unfolds like a journey through an ethereal futuristic landscape with glitchy textures and sprawling melodies. From the syncopated chorus of Joy Squad to the haunting harpsichord and choral arrangements on album closer Strangers, Koreless packs a meticulous amount of detail into every track without losing sight of what makes people move.

Eris Drew "Quivering In Time"

A true disciple of rave history, Eris Drew builds on the series of crate-digging DJ sets alongside partner Octo Octa recorded in a woodland clearing during the middle of the pandemic. Devised as a versatile mix of tracks that would slot in next to even the deepest of cuts, Quivering In Time is a solid house record front-to-back, full of Hi-NRG beats, acid basslines, shuffles, breaks and spinbacks traversing the genres of techno, house, prog house, disco and more. It's clearly made by someone that's put in years of work behind the decks, studying their dance music history and putting their knowledge of every microgenre, obscure rave and out of print white label to good use.

SHERELLE "fabric presents SHERELLE"

London-born DJ, producer and Hooversound label head SHERELLE is one of the most exciting new names making waves on the faster end of the club spectrum. Tapped to put together a mix for the prestigious "fabric presents" series, SHERELLE brings together one of the years best curated collections of old-school jungle techno, breakbeat hardcore, acid and footwork. Featuring cuts from Tim Reaper, Kush Jones, DJ Rashad, AceMo, LCY, Dub One and more, SHERELLE shows us what life lived above 160bpm is truly about with some of the most batshit drum breaks youve ever heard. If youre looking to work up a sweat, this is a must listen.

Ross from Friends "Tread"

The sophomore album from British producer, Felix Clary Weatherall, Tread feels like lo-fi house and trance went on a date and got really stoned afterward. Offering a more mellowed out sound with the occasional detour into trip hop and washed out psychedelics, Ross From Friends makes meticulously crafted house sound like easy-listening with soulful samples, bright trance-y synths and brushed drums. It feels fitting that the music video for album opener, The Daisy, features a speedcubing competition given the level of intricacy Weatherall bakes into his rhythms while still maintaining a lighthearted sense of novelty and play. If you're looking for a good record to bliss out to or even just get extra cozy, you cant go wrong with Tread.

Doss "4 New Hit Songs"

Anz "All Hours"

India Jordan "Watch Out!"

LSDXOXO "Dedicated 2 Disrespect"

Logic1000 "You've Got the Whole Night to Go"

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The 10 Best Dance Albums of 2021 - PAPER - Papermag