After a brief hiatus, we’re resuming our weekly NMR series with a string of killer releases that may have flown under your radar in the past few months. From stunning new albums from Shogun and PhyPhr to emotional house cuts from The Indiigo Child and Isaac Palmer, there’s something for everyone in this week’s edition.
ALIIIAS – FUCK RIGHT OFF [FMU RECORDS]
Alison Wonderland’s newly-minted label FMU Records strikes again with a hard-hitting single from Canadian producer Aliiias. Launching a long-term partnership, “FRO” serves as Aliiias’s first official release on FMU and showcases his versatile production style. With his latest offering, Aliiias showcases his ability to break the confines of genre, seeing the talent lean into a more bass-heavy sound. Utilizing a compressed kick drum to emphasize snares, as opposed to previous productions that displayed a string of more uplifting and euphoric progressive house elements. Featuring a grimy bassline and glitchy sounds, “FuckRightOff” transports listeners to a warbly soundscape. Aliiias will join Whyte Fang, Jon Casey, Dabow, Villa, and sumthin sumthin at the FMU Records launch party taking place in Brooklyn on March 10 – tickets HERE.
SHOGUN – NEW WORLD LP [SERENDIPITY MUZIK]
After nearly three years, Andrew Chen – best known as Shogun – returns with the release of his highly-anticipated sophomore studio album, New World. Last year, Shogun continued teasing the arrival of his next LP with the hard-hitting “Cielo” and majestic “Nezuko,” both of which amassed nearly a million streams on Spotify. New World features these two tracks, 8 additional previously released cuts, including “Dreamland” and “Interstellar,” and two new exclusive never-before-heard records: “New World” and “Concentration.” His long-awaited sophomore LP will double as the final long-form trance project for the San Francisco native, who will spend the coming year experimenting with new genres and developing his recently launched aliases Neo Tokyo and NXNJAS.
KID CAIRD – DO IT [PRICE INCORRECT]
Up-and-coming Australian DJ and producer Kid Caird has masterfully glided through the local to international breakthrough DJ pipeline since deciding to pursue his passion for music in 2020. Since then, he has landed on a string of popular house labels, including Hood Politics, Wh0 Worx, NØID, Good Side Records, and more. Perfecting his craft with every release, his latest release, “Do It,” is another club-primed banger crafted with the purpose of setting dancefloors ablaze worldwide. His knack for producing explosive tech-house weapons has been proven via every release he adds to his discography – from “Madonna” to “Burning Up,” there is something for every dancefloor marauder that stumbles upon his music. Now based in the UK, Kid Caird is ready to expand his influence over the tech house community. Watch out for this gifted artist as he gears up with more thrilling tracks and performances this year.
PHYPHR – CATALYST LP
Guitarist/producer Phyphr is one of Denver’s most hotly-tipped talents, making waves with his electro-soul stylings and funky, electronic songwriting. Dedicated to inspiring his listeners, the artist has a DIY, self-produced ethos that’s intrinsic to his artistic expression and messaging: for Phyphr, everyone should be empowered to find their passion and make positive changes for themselves and the world. Catalyst is the dynamic maestro’s genre-hopping debut LP that’s brimming with raucous beats, textural grooves, and indelible hooks. Chronicling Phyphr’s ongoing journey as an artist, Catalyst is designed to spark creative inspiration in his listeners through vivid, relatable storytelling and honest reflection. With intricately concocted electronic bangers and soundscapes complemented by a contagious aura of positivity, his stunning debut full-length project acutely introduces listeners to Phyphr’s sonic and philosophical sensibilities – a combination that is sure to charm any fans new or old, and inspire them to chase their dreams.
THE INDIIGO CHILD – COME BACK TO ME
San Francisco-based producer Daniel Knott – alias The Indiigo Child – is kicking off the year with a highly-danceable slice of feel-good house. His latest, “Come Back To Me,” introduces a new side to the blossoming talent, who saw success in 2022 with this indie-electronic cut with Lynett Nayade, “Say It’s Alright.” His latest offering explores feelings of lost love and failed relationships wrapped into a dancefloor-primed production. “Come Back To Me” follows “Tendernob,” which was released at the end of last year. His follow-up is a powerful emotional production that showcases his undeniable talent and creativity. This single marks the beginning of a new chapter for the rising artist, rolling out the red carpet for many more great things to come from him in the future. With an unwavering passion for all things electronic, The Indiigo Child is set to make a lasting impact in the industry.
MATHAME – TO HOPE [ASTRALWERKS]
Melodic techno brother duo Mathame unleashed the third track in a recent string of cinematic singles. Following its predecessors, the track was released via the iconic electronic music imprint Astralwerks. While the first, ‘Come For You,’ demonstrated the duo’s intimate and emotional side and ‘So What’ channeled their dark and voluminous core, ‘To Hope’ serves as the next step in the latest roundabout sonic journey Mathame has been creating for their fans. What Mathame describes as “their version of a party track,” ‘To Hope’ builds through winding synths and erupts with pulsating club energy; evoking an uplifting and joyous ambiance. After the Afterlife mainstays created the track in a Tulum hotel room in only two hours, demonstrating Mathame’s technical prowess and musical genius. Holding onto the track since pre-COVID, Mathame decided to release ‘To Hope’ after witnessing the single garner massive crowd reactions across the world as it quickly became a favorite to play amongst the DJs on the global club circuit.
ISAAC PALMER x AMERO x THMPSN – WALK IT OFF FT. ROSHIN [LOUDKULT]
22-year-old Indiana-bred multivalent Isaac Palmer has awed fans and musicians worldwide with his unwavering passion for making meaningful music. His story is one of perseverance. After being born with all odds seemingly against him being faced with numerous medical challenges and undergoing countless surgeries, Palmer found solace in the piano. He went on to master his skills and eventually discovered his love for all things electronic music. Combining his acute piano skills and flourishing musicality, he honed in on crafting his production footprint and began signing tracks to the likes of Maxximize/Spinnin’ Records, Actuation, and more. Now, at the ripe age of 22, Palmer continues to show versatility across his productions with a sizzling new house cut, “Walk It Off,” released via acclaimed Swedish label, Loudkult. A collaboration with friends Amero, thmpsn, and the talented Roshin on vocals, “Walk It Off” displays a fascinating combination of artists, as thmpsn has built a brand of millions of followers around his thrilling videos playing violin in exotic places.
Altogether, these four make a dynamic team, effortlessly blending Roshin’s hip-hop verses with invigorating melodies and a crisp tech house groove. Signed to LoudKult, the musical abilities of all these artists shine with “Walk It Off”, guaranteed to burn up any dance floor.
ANDREW RAYEL – LIFETIME [ARMADA]
Andrew Rayel has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the trance music scene. With a unique blend of uplifting and powerful beats, his music has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world. He has become a staple in the industry and has solidified his place as one of the leading names in the genre. Lifeline limelights the incredible versatility – and the innate musicality – of the Moldovan DJ, producer, radio show host, and label boss. Flaunting his melodic prowess across eighteen tracks (from ‘All Falls Down’ with Florentin and Kyle Anson to four other never-heard-before songs), this body of work underlines Andrew Rayel’s intentions to remain amongst dance music’s key figures as he gives all of his loyal supporters yet another reason to smile.
Lifeline is the next step in Andrew‘s musical journey and is set to be his most comprehensive and innovative work yet. Its dynamic and soulful sound will further solidify Andrew‘s legacy as one of trance music’s leading figures and demonstrate his continued growth as an artist. He is currently on tour across the U.S. to promote the recent release of his third studio album – tickets HERE.
ALIENPARK – YOU KNOW
Martin Pérez – alias AlienPark – has carved out a niche in bass music with his aggressive and energetic sound. Making his mark as one of the most exciting producers hailing from Venezuela, his productions have found a home on a number of VA compilations and leading labels, including Subsidia, DPMO, 40oz Cult, and Rude Service. Leading the rising class of Venezuela’s top players in dubstep, AlienPark debuts his third single of the year with a relentless cut, “You Know.” “You Know” marks the producer’s third release of 2023 only a month into the year. His unwavering work ethic and an insatiable urge to continue creating have kept his release momentum flowing, continuously showcasing his versatility through his projects. With its expertly crafted drops and distorted synth lines, the track has recently become a secret set weapon for ATLiens, LAYZ, and Vampa. Boasting a relentless, skittering beat and deep, guttural basslines, “You Know” is guaranteed to test the limits of any sound system.
SENSU – FUSE [ATTACK DECAY SWEET RELEASE]
Sensu starts 2023 after a strong 2022 including an acclaimed live tour and releases, plus bagging Montreux Jazz Festival’s Artist of the Month, joining her Best Talent 2020 Swiss Music Award. Originally hip-hop-oriented, Sensu is ever-evolving, collecting and adding to elements of post-D&B, garage, and electronic. The Swiss genre-defying producer, live artist, and DJ dropped her single ‘Fuse’ -the first taste of her new EP ‘AM___PM’, out this June on Attack Decay Sweet Release. Like all four EP tracks ‘Fuse’ was written and produced in her homeland, after Sensu’sloveaffair with London resulted in her joyfully received Numéro LDN EP. Now, that city’s buzzing nightlife influence meets the crisp Swiss air and space to produce a driving, clubby, yet coolly melodic vibe. “Fuse” is fast, upbeat, and melodic, pitting pizzicato synth against a pitch-shifted, sharp vocal riff throughout. Upbeat dance fuel whose motives rise and fall will stick in the mind long after the club’s closed.
