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: Alex Rubenstein, Justin Barini-Rivers, Aeron Premo, and Will Creason. This week’s music includes tracks by Doctor Jeep, Madame, Essaie Pas, Hypside & Gemra, and The Body remixed by Moor Mother. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Doctor Jeep – “Snake Eyesâ€
Will Creason – Doctor Jeep’s music has always had really hi-res, sharp production so it’s not a surprise that when he welds a sneering, tear out, lead synth to a digi-dancehall riddim it sounds really great. This is the type of music that Terminator exoskeletons would listen to on a cruise ship. Great as expected! (7/10)
Aeron Premo – The intro drums had a bit of a mainstream pop feel, but when the synth patches came in, the track gained a bit more life. It’s still a bit too minimalist for my tastes, and it also sounds like it could be a remix of Lorde’s, “Royals.†The latter is not a terrible thing, though. Overall, nicely produced, but not something I will revisit regularly. (6/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – Big tune from Doctor Jeep. The textures that lay behind these massive drums are amazing; I feel like an MP3 just got ripped in half and dropped into Ableton. I am always impressed with Doctor Jeep, but this tune is particularly lovely. It just continues to bounce on and on, adding a lead here and some drum fills there. The leads remind me of the moombah leads that cut right through sub frequencies with ease. Overall, very impressed with this tune. I need to check out the EP. (8/10)
Alex Rubenstein – While the name Doctor Jeep sounds like a bit of a joke, the tunes being produced are anything but. “Snake Eyes†is an absolutely twisted take on funk that worms its way into your head like a virus. The lead synth line squeals while the booming bass and plodding drumkit keep the listener hypnotized. Doctor Jeep isn’t reinventing the wheel here yet still manages to inject some fun and excitement into a genre that can, at times, feel a bit stale. (8.2/10)
Madame – “Booth Echoâ€
Will Creason – Great, balanced work on this track. Everything is tuned in just right, from the bubbling synth to the kicks, but I just don’t get the sense that it goes anywhere. The track has some fairly nice dropouts, builds and releases, but there aren’t enough elements in play to make it really exciting, in my opinion. This one is a little too conservative for me. (5/10)
Aeron Premo – I think the production here is of a quality standard, and the beat does a good job of keeping the track going. However, for a track that’s close to seven minutes long, I felt that there needed to be more production elements to make the track feel more alive. Some synth stabs here and there or something along those lines. I might have enjoyed it more with some extra oomph. (5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – Madame is back with a ton of new releases, and “Booth Echo†just spoke to me. Madame takes the listener through a journey with the textures and rhythms blending and developing simultaneously. The play between the kick and the rest of the tune is amazing. Something so simple as the timing of an element that plays off the kick seems trivial, but this is techno. Madame makes it sound easy. This is an effortless techno roller. (9/10)
Alex Rubenstein – What we have here is a perfect slice of warm-up techno. It’s midnight, the warehouse is just starting to get foggy and the kick is beginning to slam, getting you ready for the night ahead. The production here is very clean and controlled; Madame seems to have had a vision of what this track was going to do and nailed that vibe effortlessly. I do think it started to wear out its welcome by the five minute mark. Otherwise, a solid tune. (7/10)
The Body – “Off Script†(Moor Mother Remix)
Will Creason – Exceedingly bleak metal act, The Body, enlists Philadelphia’s Moor Mother for a remix. Her metal bonafides will be further set when the new album from Zonal, with substantial vocal contributions by Moor Mother, comes out today. (Zonal is a project by The Bug & JK Flesh.) Here, her sorrowful vocals float over the original song’s rolling drum line punctuated by a dark, distant rap verse. This is equal parts trip-hop and ultra-degraded 90s-Memphis-rap cassette tape and I’m all for it. (8/10)
Aeron Premo – The vibe I picked up from this tune was Anohni fronting a doom metal group. While the contrast of the melodic vocal and the industrial arrangement is very interesting in a textural way, I was more drawn to the vocals and not the music. This type of music will no doubt have an audience – I’m just not it, though. (4/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – I immediately fell in love with the juxtaposition of the distortion and the soft vocals. This is a unique tune – definitely not for the close minded, but this is a gem. The drums are sluggish and smashed, but they still can carry the track, and the sultry vocals captured me from the start. Everything about this song is a little off, but in the best way. I recommend listening to it a few times and getting a feel for what they are trying to accomplish. (8.5/10)
Alex Rubenstein – If I led a cannibalistic cult I’d certainly recruit The Body and Moor Mother as my house band. This shit is dark. The pairing of these two acts makes sense in a way I never would have thought to put together. The song has a nice progression to it with the closing rap almost offering a light at the end of this desolate, musical tunnel. Would I listen to this in my spare time? Probably not. Do I respect it? Absolutely. (6.5/10)
Essaie pas – “Earthâ€
Will Creason – I sensed that there was some worry about Marie Davidson’s announcement that she retiring from live, electronic music shows earlier this year. In the wake of the announcement is this nine-minute, epic, mutant trance track as part of Essaie pas. Davidson’s soaring vocals are grounded by Pierre Guerineau’s gruff dialogue. What I appreciate about this track is that it packs a movie’s worth of ideas into one song, living inside (out outside) its self-made world. Davidson isn’t done; there is more to do. Existential trance – I didn’t see that coming. (9/10)
Aeron Premo – As I’ve stated before, while I love Marie Davidson’s solo work, I’ve had a difficult time getting into Essaie pas. However, I am liking what I’m hearing here. I’m getting serious 90s Eurodance vibes from this one, and because that was some of the earliest electronic music I cut my teeth on, I am loving it. The soft vocals give the instrumental room to breathe but aren’t drowned out completely. The drum programming is incredible, and the transition around 4:58 made my heart skip a beat. Are we sure this is Essaie pas? If so, this is a nice step forward. (7/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – The intro is hypnotic, but it quickly builds into some epic vocals and some big drums. The vocals soften the aggressive, low-passed bass. The texture on the hi hats, the high percussion in the drums and the sword slash style cymbal are amazing. The synth work is also amazing; the call and response between the synths is lovely. (7.5/10)
Alex Rubenstein – Earth is a shithole, so why not have fun? I’m very glad to have some new output from Marie Davidson, and this nine-minute, trance epic really sets a high bar. I don’t always have time to sit down and watch a movie so getting almost that same experience from a club track couldn’t be more welcome. Pop some popcorn, come out at night and, most importantly, dance. (8.5/10)
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Hypside & GEMRA – “Little Joeâ€
Will Creason – The production here has that Dirtybird, every drum super compressed sound that will always sound good loud. I like the weird vocal – the effect makes it sound like a machine who is out of breath. There are enough switch-ups throughout the track to keep everything light and interesting. A crowd pleaser for sure. (6/10)
Aeron Premo – “Bear Hug†by The 2 Bears immediately came to mind when I heard the first notes of this track by Brazilian producer, Hypside, and collaborator, GEMRA. It has the same low pitched vocals and high energy beats. “Little Joe†does stand out on its own, though. The track is very nicely produced and consistent in its energy throughout. The moments where the vocals chop up are well done, and while there was a synth patch I wasn’t too fond of, the rest of the patches were nice, and I thought the bassline was top notch. (6/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – Shout out to my Burgerfam! Chub Rub has been on fire recently. The last five or so releases have all been beyond amazing, this recent release included. The vocals are perfect as well as the big drums and the fat bottom end. This song is business in the front and party in the back (the bottom end is all business and the top is the party). This tune will kill dancefloors – give it a million plays! (10/10)
Alex Rubenstein – This track is definitely ready for the dancefloor, no question there. It’s got enough switch-ups and interesting sound effects to not outwear its welcome. However, it does sound a bit like any Dirtybird clone and doesn’t really translate to the home listening experience. The vocals could be taken out entirely and I’d be okay with that, too. This is definitely a rooftop track. It’s just, unfortunately, not my style. (5/10)
Essaie pas – “Earth†– 8/10
Doctor Jeep – “Snake Eyes†– 7.3/10
The Body – “Off Script†(Moor Mother Remix) – 6.8/10 (tie)
Hypside & GEMRA – “Little Joe†– 6.8/10 (tie)
Madame – “Booth Echo†– 6.5/10