Now in its 33rd iteration, the Magician's Magic Tape continues to deliver our monthly dose of disco-tinged medicine. Every month the latest Magic Tape unveils an hour of brand new cuts from the grooviest corners of dance music. Always funky and fresh, its monthly debut is something the entire Dancing Astronaut staff looks forward to regardless of their typical preferences. As usual, no track listing is provided but that only adds to its mystique. The real fun and challenge is ID'ing the hour worth of selections - it's a lesson in musical discovery. [...]
Here's a special message from our NYC mates, Emeron & Fox . They've offered up another free download following their incredibly big "Nightmares" EP earlier last summer. N.O.V.A. pushes through this overly reverbed lead female voice that creates an emotional and sentimental atmosphere. My gut reaction was that somewhat lonely feeling you get while rising the last train outta town at night - but more in a dreamlike daze, nah'mean? The overall theme is trippy yet highly danceable and for that, I give respect. Phase 1 of this free release [...]
I caught this video yesterday and my immediate response was 'SWEET JESUS. THIS. IS. AMAZING.' That opinion hasn't changed since then and I don't think it ever will. Suave, sophisticated, funky, soulful, its all kinds of brilliant. I grew up listening to groups like The Whispers and Indeep, Bad Rabbits remind me of them and bring me back to a time when summers would feel like they lasted forever.
With his latest album, 'In Death Do We Part?', almost ready for it's physical release - I said it was good back when it was released digitally earlier this year - Dave Hughes has cracked on with doing a few rough and ready covers for the extended edition of the aforementioned album. Despite his general disdain for all things Bon Jovi, Dave has recorded a cover of 'Livin' On A Prayer'. One of the the New Jersey band's biggest hits, it's sung up and down the country (very badly) in karaoke bars by drunken businessmen who don't know [...]
Best of the Rest is a daily feature from Dancing Astronaut that recaps the most important posts of the day as well as the stuff we didn’t get to. With the rapidity that dance music news and releases come out it’s difficult for us to hit everything — we hope BOTR serves as a catch-all. Make sure to check it out at the end of each day to ensure you don’t miss anything! DA POSTS YOU [...]
If you were one of the lucky fans who were able to attend one of Kaskade's Redux tour stops, you might have been treated to the Late Night Alumni rework of "Raining." Late Night Alumni - which is Kaskade's side band project - receives a completely new set of piano lines from Kaskade himself (as he's the keyboardist of the group), transforming the track into a techy offshoot which went perfectly with the theme of the tour. The track is being offered as a free download on his SoundCloud page , and is definitely a welcomed rebirth to a [...]
As the world patiently awaits the follow-up to “Torrent” alongside Sidney Samson and a confirmed collaboration alongside Dillon Francis, young Dutch talent Martin Garrix is back on the solo trail with his latest Spinnin Records offering “Animals.” Formally unveiled by Billboard, this anonymous set-sweeper shows the promising artists ability to balance both low and high-end club fuel without slacking on the sharp melodic synth work. Set to follow in the footsteps of forthcoming TV Noise collaboration “Just Some Loops” , Garrix separates the boys from the men to assert that Dutch house has a new [...]
The prodigal son has returned - and yes I'm speaking about myself. As an avid, die-hard Kaskade fan, I wasn't really 'digging' his recent work and tours, mainly because they're targeted to a wider audience. And hey, I'm a selfish Kaskade fan! I don't want overcrowding and high ticket prices, but that's a topic for another day. With his 'It's You " It's Me Redux Tour " absolutely kicking ass all over the US, Ryan decided to release a beautiful deep house edit of his big room collaborative anthem with [...]
Another huge tune coming from the Flamingo Recordings team! ' Tundra ' is a massive track from Paris & Simo along with Merk & Kremont . High energy, heavy bassline, and original sound - this tune has it all! Check back for this one on July 1st when it's released on Beatport ! The post Preview: Merk & Kremont vs. Paris & Simo - Tundra [Flamingingo Recordings] appeared first on PB&J .
In typical W&W style, Thunder comes out swinging. Ever increasing in popularity, from their massive tune The Code, to ASOT 600 , to this new release, the Dutch duo are making strides to becoming one of the biggest names in progressive trance. W&W stick to their classic plug-ins with this one, giving the song (especially the drop) a massive big room feel. Below is the promotional video for the track, which is just too fun to leave out. Enjoy. [...]
Long serving Swedish producer Henrik B makes a long-overdue return to the digital market, this time alongside national peers Niklas Gustavsson and Peter Johansson for Avicii’s LE7ELS imprint with “Echoes.” As premiered on Avicii’s Levels podcast last year, the Swedish trio employs the familiar sample work of The Police’s “Voices Inside My Head” with the utmost effect. An uplifting and radio friendly offering built on extensive melodic stamina and unprecedented production quality, the extended silence of Henrik B is more made amends for in light of this inoffensive tip to the potential for quality peak time dance music [...]
One of my favorite electronic artists of all time, Michele Balduzzi , better known by his producer moniker, Phonat - has finally made his return to dance music. His ever changing electronic, glitch-type tunes were an iconic part of my college years. He makes his return on Skrillex's label imprint, OWSLA records with ' Ride The Prejudice ' - the first release on his 4-track EP, ' Identity Theft '. After nearly [...]
Deadmau5 has previewed a new track on his Soundcloud page titled "Suite 03," venturing back to his progressive styling and taking to Twitter to state "drop not included." The clip features a long, drawn out build with classic trance-like undertones. Deadmau52s recent productions have been to the slower and more downtempo side of things, offering a refreshing change from what we'd normally expect. He added to his tweet that "this 'edm' track contains more than one note." What's your take on this side of Deadmau5? Let us know in the comments section below. [...]
Five albums in, the Dodos are ready for a change. The San Francisco duo, known for their aggressive acoustics and relentless heart-pounding percussion, have recently signed to Polyvinyl (after leaving former label Frenchkiss) and are preparing their latest, Carrier, for a late August release. Polyvinyl, home to bands as diverse as STRFKR, Japandroids, and Owen, seems to be a perfect fit for the Dodos' new, darker direction. Inspired by the death of Christopher Reimer, who toured with the band in 2011 and previously played with the band Women, the album's first single, “Confidence”, finds lead singer/guitarist [...]
MP3 Brooklyn-based duo Sensual Harassment once described themselves as "a Reptilian Humanoid alliance utilizing sonic mind control through beat-driven psych-pop," which is accurate for the most part. But their new single casts doubt over just how robotic they are. "Make Me Human Again" takes us back to '70s-era disco with its sampled horns, and reminds us that dance music is meant to be more organic than a glitchy sonic wall of heavily compressed synthesizers and computer tricks; it begs to be blasted on a dance floor, where you can feel the bass thumping in your chest. Even [...]
With the insight of Toyboy and Robin , Asona has released a stellar EP named Body Works . Released through Toyboy and Robin's Cool Kids Label , the EP consists of three songs that deliver quality deep house music that evokes lots of feeling. The east coast native, Asona, offers up a simply awesome and aptly titled EP, that definitely encourages body movement on the dance floor. With deeply strung melodies and emotive vocal samples, Asona has preparded three original tracks which are testament to his smooth production style and ear for a [...]
Having already unveiled "Brainfire" and their forthcoming single "Chaa" earlier this month , Canada's Paris & Simo look to further the excitement surrounding their studio output with debut Flamingo Recordings single "Tundra" alongside Italian duo Merk & Kremont. As premiered by Danny Howard on BBC Radio One, "Tundra" echoes the perky peak time hallmarks that shave already put the Canadian newcomers on the map as surefire breakouts for 2013. With the addition of another promising European outfit to the equation, this riff-driven electro offering is sure to set in motion yet more positive momentum for this global entourage [...]
Another week, another fantastic remix from our NYC buddies, The Chainsmokers . And as per usual, with each free download - comes a great, witty spiel that we all laugh (or pretend to laugh) about. This fine Monday the guys release a remix that they've been sitting on for weeks. Taking Say Lou Lou 's original tune ' Julian ' and giving it an epic, upbeat Chainsmokers feel to it, will definitely help that crappy Monday become less crappy (hopefully). We are [...]
With his name now resounding across global club land, Norway’s Fehrplay emerges back on the scene with the hotly tipped follow-up to January’s “I Can’t Stop It” for Pryda Friends. Initially unveiled during his guest mix for Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy radio show, “Phantom” picks up where its predecessor left off on the trail of no-nonsense progressive house. Euphorically charged and melodically refined, the tracks ascending energy and overriding synths provide a defining guise to the compositional stamina that has made Jonas Fehr indispensible to Prydz’s overarching musical mission. One thing is for certain: Pryda Friends are [...]
After their highly lauded collaboration “ D# Fat" alongside Armin van Buuren and potent remix to his "This Is What It Feels Like," W&W have solidified their reputation as a top tier production outfit in the big room sphere of EDM. The Dutch duo are aiming to continue their momentum with release of "Thunder," a fusion of progressive house, trance, and hardstyle in a similar manner to “ The Code." While it's an all-too-familiar formula of a momentous, chord-laden build up and booming, hardstyle-kick driven drop, the live appeal of "Thunder" is undeniable: this is raucous, festival house. Purchase: [...]
Dancing Astronaut
PB&J | Sick New Music
The Ruckus
Obscure Sound
Kanye West Pushing Will Smith To Record, Release New Music
[MP3 Playlist] Indie Dojo (May 2013 Round #5)
Dimmed lights on the Sunset Strip
