Feedback Friday is Blisspop’s weekly exploration of the latest tunes being released both in the mainstream and underground electronic scenes. Our dedicated team of virtual crate diggers rotates each week to offer their unique takes on the newest house rollers, techno stompers, experimental cuts, bass rattlers, disco hits and beyond. No matter if the track has 6 plays or 6 million, breaks new ground or retreads the same tired tropes, is an instant add to the playlist or the catalyst for inventing time travel to be able to un-hear it – Blisspop is on it.
We are back at it again and this edition features our contributors: Marshall Stukes, Justin Barini-Rivers, Katie Bowles, and Alex Rubenstein. This week’s music includes tracks by DJ Haram, Klauss Blatter, Belle & Sebastian, and Amtrac remixed by Project Pablo. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
DJ Haram – “Gemini Risingâ€
Alex Rubenstein – DJ Haram has certainly been building a name for herself lately, and her debut release for Hyperdub does not disappoint. “Gemini Rising†is a perfectly executed, percussive club workout. The middle eastern flairs help flesh out the track and make it stand above the rest. The drum fills are hard hitting and in your face. Make sure your subs are up for this one! Better yet, hear it quake on the dance floor in a club near you. (8.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – The intro of this song really sucked me in. The texture on the bass is lovely and perfectly warm, but the accent drum sounds that are brought in occasionally are my favorite. The foley gun sounds stick out in my mind but sit so well in the mix. I wish the drums built off of each other in more of a progressive fashion, but I understand the vibe and goal so I’m not taking any points off. I enjoyed the vibe a lot and need to start listening to more underground music. (6/10)
Marshall Stukes – I like most of the rhythmic elements of this track, but I think the lead synth is weak. It felt like an afterthought with the strong emphasis and precision that the rest of the track has. The track itself wasn’t inspiring to me. I got the technical aspects of mixing and getting the rhythm down, but other than that, I wouldn’t play this tune again. (6.5/10)
Katie Bowles – This track has strong B&E energy – if I was younger and still trespassing/breaking into places (college was fun!), it would be playing in my head the whole time. The drums are so intense that they kind of stress me out but in a way that makes me want to keep listening to see what happens. However…after I kept listening, I was a little disappointed with where it all ended up. To me, this song would be great in the background, but not something I’d listen to alone. (6/10)
Klaus Blatter – “(I Find Myself Surrounded By) The Lunatics of Acid Houseâ€
Alex Rubenstein – This track gets right to the point, and I love it. Klaus Blatter provides just the right amount of cheese and camp on top of a classic house banger. It is a bit more on the tech side than I expected, but in this instance, it does not feel played out; instead it’s fresh and ready for the underground. If this doesn’t make you want to dance, I’m not sure what will. (8/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This is an Acid House tune that fits in the style of house I love. The arrangement is aggressive, but the resonance and top are controlled. The vocals don’t mesh with me towards the beginning, but once I realized the pattern, I was fine. The layered vocals on the back is a nice touch. I feel as though I can’t place the emotion as easily as the music behind the vocals until I get deeper into the lyrics. The foley screams and industrial style FX in the background are a highlight. The drums and bass really push. (7/10)
Marshall Stukes – I thought this was a funny/lighthearted track to share. The music video is particularly worth watching as it’s definitely inspired by the classic song from The Prodigy, “Smack my bitch up.†The song itself is good. While it does get repetitive hearing “Acid House†so often, the vocals and lyrics gave me a chuckle. The track is very danceable in my opinion, and I really enjoyed the drone that comes in every once in a while. (7/10)
Katie Bowles – Klaus Blatter’s Twitter bio reads, “Pioneer. My views are perfectly representative of the German people and the dance music industry as a whole.†He has 276 followers. This seems right for the guy who created this ridiculous song THAT I LOVE. I legitimately can’t stop quoting this track at people now (“I only wish to do a hard day’s work and then to go home to my spouseâ€); it’s so catchy and silly. Also, the story this song tells reminds me so much of “The Pina Colada Songâ€: this dude finds himself at a club after work, staring at a girl, who he then realizes is his lady and she’s the biggest lunatic of acid house?! What are the odds? The voice, the beat, the story…this song has it all, and I’m not being sarcastic. (9/10)
Belle and Sebastian – “Sister Buddha”
Alex Rubenstein – Man, what a change of pace from the previous tracks. The musicianship here is quality, no denying that, but unfortunately, this just feels awfully generic and safe. The music video is quite lame as well. I’m just clearly not the target audience for this one. (2/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This track is rolling from the start! The drums have me dancing and bobbing my head, the vocals are working so well – everything about this song is so clean and polished. It sounds like it should be a hit just from the mix. Beyond the mix though, this song is truly a gem. I immediately connected with the vocals. As the lyrics slide by on my third listen, I wish I could sing along. (8/10)
Marshall Stukes – This is a nice, non offensive indie track. It doesn’t grab me as a whole, but the xylophone and the horns are a great touch. I appreciate it for what it is, but I wouldn’t seek this out again. (6/10)
Katie Bowles – I always feel peaceful when I hear Belle & Sebastian – everything’s so polished and calm, and Stuart Murdoch’s voice is incredibly pleasing. That being said, this isn’t my favorite Belle & Sebastian song…but that’s okay. I may not listen to this one over and over like I did with “The Party Line,†but it’s still catchy as hell in a Cranberries-esque way (who’s trying to do a mashup of this song and “Dreamsâ€?). (7/10)
Amtrac – “Formal Disco†(Project Pablo Remix)
Alex Rubenstein – What we have here is super lush, rooftop, house music. Project Pablo delivers on this remix, keeping the vibe going throughout its six minute run time. The drums are crisp and clear, and the synths build organically until the track really comes alive around halfway through with those crystalline chimes. Definitely be on the lookout for more from Project Pablo. (8.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This track caught me with the almost burial-esque rim pattern and the proper kick drum. This song starts so strong and just continues to develop. This track is infectious as it slowly sneaks deeper and deeper in forcing you to dance. The drums really speak to me but don’t ignore the melodies that develop after the rolling bass line sets the stage. There isn’t one sound in this song that is placed wrong. This tune is perfect and I love it. Enjoy this truly epic house tune. (9/10)
Marshall Stukes – I really enjoyed the bass and percussion elements in this track. The synth stabs add a cool layer to the song that keeps it moving. I found it to be the most enjoyable part of the track. I don’t like the lead in the last half; it didn’t mesh well with me. The pad was a bit thin as well. (7/10)
Katie Bowles – I feel like every time I do Feedback Friday, I find myself listening to one of these – a long track that I initially think I won’t like (or even make it all the way through) that somehow sucks me into its hypnotic spell. This one has a really lush sound that grows throughout, like the song equivalent of a rain forest where everything’s starting to bloom; it just sounds so green and tropical, even though it doesn’t have those typically “tropical†sounds. I was pleasantly surprised by it. (6/10)
The Results:
Klauss Blatter – “(I Find Myself Surrounded By) The Lunatics of Acid House” – 7.8/10
Amtrac – “Formal Disco” (Project Pablo Remix) – 7.6/10
DJ Haram – “Gemini Rising” – 6.8/10
Belle & Sebastian – “Sister Buddha” – 5.8/10