Archive for the ‘ Electronica Reviews ’ Category

Aerrow Shapiro’s Record Club – May 2013 – Free the Universe by Major Lazer (2013)


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Major_Lazer_-_Free_the_Universe

About four years after the release of their debut full-length album, Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do, Major Lazer (a project from DJ and producer Diplo) released the sophomore album called Free the Universe.  Although house DJ Switch worked on the previous album, he left in 2011, leaving Diplo in charge of the second album.

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Dubstep: Myths And Realities


While it is true that Dubstep’s fan base -as well as the audience of the entire EDM spectrum–is multiplying at an uncontrollable rate, it still is probably one of the most misunderstood music genres of our time. Few people on the “outside” seem to have an understanding of what it is, and what it stands for. The same uneducated misconceptions are perpetuated by all those who “hate” dubstep. But I am here to tell you that what the haters say is WRONG! Here are just a few of the follies spewed by the naysayers:

1. “Dubstep isn’t real music.” FALSE. People who say this are often people who listen to Pop, Rock, R & B, and Rap. Unbeknownst to a large percentage of the fans of these genres, these forms of music are almost always as synthesized as any form of Electronica. Just because you hear a piano or a violin does NOT mean that someone sat down and recorded themselves playing a tangible instrument. While this is not true in ALL instances, music-making technology has become so advanced that you don’t need to buy a guitar to add a guitar solo. For a producer, this is cheaper, faster, easier, and almost no one will know the difference. Dubstep celebrates the advancement of such technologies, instead of trying to fool you.

UKF is one of the biggest EDM promotion and distribution companies in the world. They can almost single-handedly be thanked for the wildfire spread of Dubstep.

UKF is one of the biggest EDM promotion and distribution companies in the world. They can almost single-handedly be thanked for the wildfire spread of Dubstep.

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Concert Encores? More Like Concert NON-cores!


I FEEL YOUR PAIN KEANU

I FEEL YOUR PAIN KEANU

I remember my first big concert, at the Sleep Train Arena (back when it was Arco Arena), and being excited when the last act ended their last song, and the crowd called the group back on for a final encore. The arena had gone dark and the show seemed over, but the excitement was palpable. The crowd chanted for Lip Bizkit to come back on (I was 13 and it was the 90s….), and when the band came back on stage, the crowd went wild. I remembered being  amazed that the band had performed an encore, like they had come back on stage just for their fans. The more concerts I went to, the more I realized that it was all a lie: encores were planned, and not the spontaneous act they seemed to be.

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Music Review: Knife Party’s “Rage Valley” EP


The best way to describe Knife Party’s music is as some kind of large-scale, big-budget projection and lights show–for the ears.  Never has this electro house and dubstep duo disappointed, and they continue their winning streak with their latest installment, “Rage Valley”.

These tracks paint a desert landscape with hooks and drops just as scorching as the Death Valley sun.  Incredibly fresh and cutting-edge, each beat displays their uncanny ability to build suspense and throw musical curveballs at their audience.  Just as thrilling as any Sci-Fi blockbuster, This latest EP refuses to let go. Read more

Chris Joss “No Work No Play” Album review


Tower of Power killing it at a rave is the best way for me to describe Chris Joss‘ album “No Work No Play“. Sometimes when album combines different styles of music together there is normally an imbalance. not the case on this album. The funk and electronic stylings work together perfectly to create an electrified atmosphere on record. When I first came across this city I was unsure of what I was going to listen to, but after one car ride I was sold on this album. Even the cover itself is funky a 70s style view of skyline from the ground level. The art and the music are an equal trip. Read more

Review: Jeffree Star’s “Virginity” EP


If you are able to withstand the shock value sent out by Jeffree Star’s bright pink hair alone, you’ve already been far too desensitized.

But that’s just it; we’ve been desensitized.

I am a big fan of Jeffree Star.  He’s crude, vulgar, freakish, and shamelessly gay–and he’s proud of it.  He’s got more blasphemous tattoos than a Marylin Manson concert, more fabulous than Miss America, and doesn’t give a %#&@!  His release “Beauty Killer” showed that even though his lyrics are far from artistic, good production can make someone with little true talent sound radio-worthy.  I don’t say that to bash him–his talents are not musical, but promotional.  Still, “Beauty Killer” was a masterpiece in it’s own right. Read more

Music Review- Chiddy Bang “Breakfast”


Chiddy Bang is back with a splash with their new album “Breakfast.”  And I personally could not be more excited because I have been a huge fan of these boys from Philly for quite some time.  One of my favorite aspects of their music is all the sampling they do from such varied artists.  Though they are a hip-hop duo, they aren’t afraid to take risks and sample other artists from all over the music spectrum.
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Music Review: Hyper Crush “Night Wave”


Music Review: Hyper Crush “Night Wave”
By: Josue “Josh” Alvarez Mapp (a.k.a. DJ Mappquest)

So as predicted, Hyper Crush’s newest album “Night Wave” came out this past week on February 7th, 2012.  I covered three songs that I had heard a month ago: Werk Me, Fingers Up, and Flip the Switch.  Now I was going to leave it all at my preview I wrote earlier, but I felt moved enough to write a review (now that I got my ears around the rest of the album).

In “Night Wave,” Hyper Crush shows off their diversity in songs with the varying speed, beats, lyrics, etc.  ”Werk Me” and “Flip the Switch” can be considered the hyper, hard hitting beat and lyrics.  ”Fingers Up” slowed it down a bit.  ”Chrome Pipes” is a bit slower than one might expect but it is a nice transition in the entire album. Read more

Music Preview: Hyper Crush “Night Wave”


Music Preview: Hyper Crush “Night Wave”
By: Josue “Josh” Alvarez Mapp (a.k.a. DJ Mappquest)

 Hyper Crush’s second album “Night Wave is slated to release February 7th, 2012.  Their first album, “The Arcade” was pretty solid, however, didn’t shake up the scene for too many.  Nonetheless, the album could make any party good.  They are an electronica, house, trance, pop fusion type of group.  The best way to explain them (which is exceptionally cliche but I am going to do it anyways) is they are kind of what LMFAO and Dev would kind of be if they combined (terrible, I know, I’m sorry). Read more

Music Review – “Wonderland” by Steve Aoki


Music Review – “Wonderland” by Steve Aoki
By: Josue “Josh” Alvarez Mapp

 Steve Aoki is not new to the music scene.  He has had tons of singles for years now.  Whether you have heard it or not is a different story.  But if there was ever a time to listen, now is it.  On January 10th, 2012, Steve Aoki released his first full-fledged album titled Wonderland.

I first started hearing of Steve Aoki around 2010 when he started releasing a few more singles.  My favorite song I had heard than was “I’m in the House.”  Since then it has become a go to track for parties.  It is almost a sure shot song to get people going.  Having this single on the Jersey Shore Soundtrack may have helped propel his popularity (as Jersey Shore and other MTV programs has helped increase awareness of many artist in little to no time at all). Read more

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