August has been the gift that keeps on giving to music lovers worldwide. We gathered some of our favorite releases to help you spice up your playlists. Check out new tunes from Biesmans, WITHN US, TWO LANES, San Pacho, and more.
BIESMANS – TEAMWORKS EP [WATERGATE RECORDS]
Indie electronica wizard Biesmans returns to legendary imprint Watergate with his new TeamworksΒ project. His latest taps the likes of some of electronic music’s most in-demand names, including Kasper BjΓΈrke, Adana Twins, and Dusky, for 5 diverse tracks that champion the beauty of collaborative work.Β In”Holiday,” he delivers a full-bodied slice of cosmic dance alongside BjΓΈrke that is driven forward by Jacob Bellens‘ nostalgic vocals. “Shock Therapy,” a collab with longtime friend TomTheBomb serves as a Β a driving house jam that touches on electroclash, college rock and pop. In “CrΓ¨me BrΓ»lΓ©e,” he joins forces with rising French artist Mala Ika for an electrifying ode to β80s electro. “Hounds of Hell” bring on Watergate mainstays Adana Twins for a balls-to-the-wall disco stunner. For the final track, Biesmans taps the Dusky brothers for βBack in the Dazeβ, an emotional electro cut made for end-of-night moments. To further commemorate the unique release, Biesmans recently announced that he will be following in the footsteps of prolific artists, such as Solomun, WhoMadeWho, Ellen Allien, and Kerri Chandler, and delivering the next volume of Watergate’s iconic mix series. Watergate 28 mixed by Biesmans is due for release on September 2nd – pre-save HERE.
WITHN US – PARALLELOGRAM [CIRQUE 87]
Although this is only their second release, Tyler Barr & Bec Hollocraft – alias WITHN US – have made a poignant introduction in the melodic techno scene with their early 2022 debut, “Fallback Drug,” and their latest, “Parallelogram.” Brimming with hypnotic synths, cinematic stabs, and Hollocraft’s indie-coated vocals, their sophomore release continues to peel back the layers to their refreshing take on melodic techno. Barr and Hollocraft met at an underground techno event in Los Angeles, quickly realizing they both felt the same about what was missing from the genre. Combining their love of electronic music to begin creating music together, they got into the studio and started experimenting with dark tones and emotional melodies. Their live sets and production are a fusion of their backgrounds: Bec with a history of touring in bands & years of songwriting and Tyler being formally signed toΒ Armada MusicΒ under a different moniker. Their strongest desire is to create worlds the listener can lose themselves in.
TWO LANES – BELONG
As a teaser for their forthcoming tour with BAYNK, electronica duo TWO LANES dropped a gorgeous new tune titled “Belong.” In typical TWO LANES fashion, “Belong” offers a sonic representation of a feeling we’re all familiar with: constantly trying to find a space in which we belong. Through the use of acoustic instrumentation, melancholic vocals (courtesy of James Hersey), and their trademark synth and electronic beat elements, the duo delivers yet another introspective cut. Catch them somewhere in the U.S. with BAYNK from 9/8 – 10/18 as they showcase the live performance version of what has grown to be a one-of-a-kind movement- tickets HERE.
&FRIENDS – ODE IRETI FT. EL-JAY & OLUWADAMVIC [HIDDEN HANDS]
&friends is the musical concept and brainchild of New York-based Sean Thomas. Drawing the breadth of his inspiration for these musical works from the African Diaspora, Thomas had a vision to create a project embodying tradition, culture, and community culminating in the coining of &friends. Following the striking success of the projectβs inaugural single, &friends celebrates the release of his sophomore single βOde Ireti” featuring eL Jay & Oluwadamvic. This original release is a prime example of the storytelling Thomasβ intends on delivering through &friendsβ releases. Translated to βHunters of Hopeβ, βOde Iretiβ hails from the West African native language Yoruba.Β Across the duration of the track, sultry chords and melody overlay a dynamic percussive production. Driving vocals and enchanting chants weave across the afro-house foundation, the new track introduces a new collaborator also from Nigeria – hailing from a background in choir and gospel, eL Jay delivers a poignant vocal message of ancestry, culture, and perseverance that truly sees the vision of the track embodying βHunters of Hopeβ through to fruition.Β
SAN PACHO x VALE – VOY [TERMINAL UNDERGROUND]
One of our favorite up-and-coming producers in the Latin House sphere San Pacho returns to Matroda‘s rapidly growing imprint Terminal Underground for a new scorching hot single, “Voy.” San Pacho’s latest arrives with maximum anticipation following his early 2022 breakout hit “Amor,” and it carries the same captivating energy that runs throughout all of his productions. In βVoy,β beautiful acoustic guitar solos, powerful vocal loops thanks to the likes of Vale, and spiritually-tinged tech house vibes all come to a head to capture an energetic essence that lifts the mood of the listener. The secret to why βVoy,β is irresistibly infectious is all in the details. Whether it be trumpet horns that blare only for a moment or poppy claps making an appearance for a few seconds, the single satisfies on a broad and granular level.
ILYANA – LOVE ME RIGHT
Brazilian beauty ILYANA touches on the sunnier side of love with βLove My Right.β The single highlights that rush of excitement we all get when we are falling in love and you think youβve found the one. At this moment, nothing else matters, and a heightened state of euphoria is achieved. The verse βI believe youβre for me, but you still have no clueβ epitomizes the mixed emotions that curiously linger in the back of oneβs mind while going through this period. The NYC-based multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist pours her personal experience into a musical cocktail of piano house rhythms, a crisp percussion pattern, and a catchy autobiographical topline. With “Love Me Right,” ILYANA kicks into high gear and prepares to continue her NYC domination.
