New Tune Tuesday (1/20/15)

–Written by Kevin Madert

Dreamt – Perpetrators (Wessanders Remix)

It’s often said the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. I’d like to petition the powers that be to add a third clause to that cliché: “Wessanders putting out quality music.” The Boston native is back again with another massive rework, convalescing several styles into a smorgasbord of delicious, deep bass music. He builds the track slow and steady, utilizing the original track’s instrumentation and vocals to compliment his augmentations rather than as a way to get from point A to point B. Once he’s eased you in, the wave breaks and the drop cascades around you, subtle in sonics yet sweeping in scope. There are a myriad of minor things going on beneath the main thrust of the track that tell me Wessanders is a hell of a producer – something I already knew, but don’t mind being reminded of – and if you’re like me your cursor will be hovered over the repeat button long before the final notes pulsate into the ether.

Above & Beyond – We Are All We Need

They’re not reinventing the wheel, but damn are they good at manufacturing them; Jono, Tony and Paavo (together, Above & Beyond) have finally delivered the long-awaited follow-up to 2011’s genre-defining Group Therapy. While We Are All We Need doesn’t hit home quite in the same way – and let’s be honest, how could it? – it’s still a solid collection of vocal trance and progressive tracks. WAAWN features familiar contributors on some of its best songs; “Sticky Fingers” is a dark, electro-tinged number with vocals from Alex Vargas, and it’s hard to pick my favorite vocal contribution from longtime collaborator Zoe Johnston, although the title track is an especially emotional one. Most importantly, there’s surprisingly little filler for a 16 track steady-beat album, and one playthrough has me itching for my second. While A&B didn’t go out on any crazy, experimental limbs on this album, they succeeded in adding another high-quality piece of work to their already impressive catalog.

Madeon – You’re On (Gramatik Remix)

I’m a sucker for anything Gramatik, and while the Slovenian didn’t do anything drastic with young Frenchman Madeon’s upbeat, summery, “You’re On,” it’s still a pleasant turn. The best moments are when the track is slowed down, allowing the funk influences of the remixer to really shine through. I’m still convinced I enjoy Alex Metric’s take slightly more, but they’re both well-constructed and well worth your time.

Sorrow – Search Of The Miraculous EP

Emotional, nuanced bass music is a wondrous thing. Artists like Blackmill, Phaeleh, and SizzleBird couldn’t put out a non-beautiful song if they tried; if you haven’t already, add Sorrow to that list. The British multi-genre producer’s most recent offering is four tracks of mostly sultry, warbling sub-bass – the heaviest it gets is on the old-school dubby track “Munscroft,” and that’s using the word “heavy” lightly (ha). “Never Too Far” is my personal favorite, with a glacial undertone and some sensually chopped and screwed vocals.

Veschell – Day Two EP

Much like Inspected, Australian bass label Adapted rarely puts out music I don’t enjoy, and newcomer Veschell’s three track “Day Two” EP fits the rule. It’s a straightforward affair, with relatively minimal production and a clean, future-bass sound. The title track – from it’s early riff-driven bounce to the late drum ‘n’ bass switch-up – highlights the album for me.

Excision & Pegboard Nerds – Bring The Madness (Ft. Mayor Apeshit)

Excision may not make the same deep and dark tunes he first made a name with, but he’s definitely still putting out songs that make your face contort and your neck crack. This time around he’s paired up with Pegboard Nerds (whose influence is perhaps why the track isn’t quite as heavy as I’d hoped for) to create a pretty standard headbanger of a drumstep tune in “Bring The Madness.” Mayor Apeshit (a clear sign we’re running out of MC names) gives the track its bite, with verses calling up Messinian’s earlier work with Excision.

Modest Mouse – Coyotes

We were pretty excited a few weeks back when Modest Mouse announced their sixth studio effort Strangers To Ourselves, the first from the band in eight years. But March 3 felt pretty far away (and still does now), so we’re thankful today for “Coyotes,” the album’s second single. It’s inspired by the true story of a real-life coyote that accidentally ended up going for a ride on a Portland light rail train in 2002, and in that respect it’s a quirky & playful homage. The real winner here is the video – it’s pretty self-explanatory, but definitely worth a watch.