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 Alvaro Hernandez. This week’s music includes tracks by Machines Always Win, 100 gecs remixed by A.G. Cook, MONELISE, Max Telaer, and Vhyce. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Machines Always Win – “Runnerâ€
Aeron Premo – This track is the first from the solo project of Lance Ferguson, founder of Australian funk/soul band The Bamboos, and it is the perfect mix of funk and chillout. The percussion is very jazzy and relaxed and meshes incredibly well with the synth pads; each gives the other equal room to stand out. I would say this track sounds like Bonobo meets BadBadNotGood and is perfect to put on any chillout playlist. (9/10)
Alvaro Hernandez – I love me some funky drums, and this cut perfectly blends precise bass playing and snare strikes with atmospheric synth chords. Machines Always Win should definitely be a name to watch! (9/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – These drums are epic, the bass is smooth and round, the arrangement is smart and efficient – this tune had me from the start. The vocals are epic – I can’t tell if they are real or sampled into some sort of soft synth, but who cares. It’s got just enough to fill the space, but sits so well behind the bass. (7/10)
Alex Rubenstein – I love the organic feel coming from this track by Machines Always Win. The raw drum sounds are a nice touch and not something we get often in Feedback Friday. The swelling of the strings brings a very grand feeling to this one. It is short, but concise. A nice effort here. (7/10)
100 gecs – “money machine†(A.G. Cook Remix)
Aeron Premo – Ok, my first impression was that the vocal sounds like it was sung by Chucky, Annabelle or some other creepy horror movie doll. It takes a lot of patience to sit through a song with vocals like that. There are some musical elements that I enjoyed, but in the end, it was just too disjointed for me to truly enjoy. I appreciate the creativity in A. G.’s remix and arrangement, but this is not something I would revisit regularly. (3/10)
Alvaro Hernandez – Interesting how the contrast is so broad between different parts of the song. One moment it’s immersed in a vocoder, the next it’s pushed into a distorted dimension. Not sure how I feel about this one. (4/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – A.G. Cook dropped his swag all over this remix. The heavy vocoder effects and the distortion is magical. After listening, I can’t imagine any other song, even the original. The tune really turns up a notch in the last main section; it’s everything that you would expect plus some cool effects to break up the heavy drums and bass. This tune is something I enjoy for what it is. Don’t put it in a box and you’ll enjoy this tune a lot more. (6/10)
Alex Rubenstein – “Hey little piss baby†is undeniably one of my favorite things to come out of 2019. It feels like it’s been quite a while since we had a proper A.G. Cook remix, and “Money Machine†feels like the perfect time to flex his chops again. The balance of the grotesque and sanguine, here, is incredibly well done. Not better than the original, but still excellent. (8/10)
MONELISE – “Memory (Caruso)â€
Aeron Premo – Production wise, this track is very interesting. I am enjoying the combination of the opera sample with the captivating lead. However, I wish that there was more of the lead vocal in there; I was waiting the whole time for a glory note of some sort, which I think would have lifted the track a bit. I also found the instrumental underwhelming. (5/10)
Alvaro Hernandez – This would make for a great closing song to a film, with the vocals adding a warmth to the somber piano while the background voices are scattered, carrying the listener to an unknown destination. Is that a Theremin I hear? (7.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – There is something so nostalgic about this tune. It’s hard to place, but the cadence of her voice feels familiar and comforting. To say that I love her vocals is an understatement. They float over the piano chords, sitting larger than life below, with such ease. The subtle drums do a good job of emphasizing the movements. Overall this hypnotic ballad is beyond amazing. (9/10)
Alex Rubenstein – I wasn’t expecting this – I honestly thought I had the wrong song. It fits in nicely with it being Halloween week and all, and I’m getting some Kadjha Bonet vibes. While I may not return to this one, there is no denying the talent here. (7/10)
Max Telaer – “Troubleâ€
Aeron Premo – I loved how the opening of the track teases that it could be a 90s R&B slow jam but then immediately kicks into a nice, deep house groove. The spoken word vocals also add a nice ambiance to the arrangement. My only complaint is that I wish there were some more instrumental elements to carry the track to a great buildup. But otherwise, this is a classic-sounding, deep house tune that would be perfect to play at the beginning of a nice rooftop party. (7/10)
Alvaro Hernandez – Although the song might evoke a mysterious tone during the intro, it quickly descends into a grooving house cut that would make a perfect selection for opening duties or peak time hedonism. (9/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This is a classy, lo fi tune. Everything is grooving and has a nice place in the stereo spectrum, especially the hi percussion. The hi hat groove is beyond epic, and the drums are rolling under a simple progression. This tune feels as though it’s too short, and I just want more. (8/10)
Alex Rubenstein – I’m not really familiar with Max Telaer, but he killed this one. This is nothing but a smooth, melodic, house banger. This is some 5am-and-I’m-still-dancing type of shit. Smooth, simple, and well-produced. (8/10)
Vhyce – “From the Day I Saw Youâ€
Aeron Premo – You can tell from the start of the track that this is going to sound pretty amazing, but it isn’t until the vocal sample kicks in that you know this is going to sound REALLY amazing. The sample sounds so warm and positive, and the production has such a sunny vibe to it. The synths range from a mix of twinkling to funky and really enhance the instrumental. It’s a shame that fall is here because this track would rock it in the summertime. But still, this is a must play no matter the season. (10/10)
Alvaro Hernandez – Some nice, new, velvety house from Vhyce. This cut seems slightly more focused on the vocals, bringing out a softer overall tone for the song. An excellent, deep house jam. (8/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This a lovely, uplifting, house tune. I am in love with the vocals and how they just sneak in and out. There are so many layers, and each one is sitting so perfectly. I would have to say the guitars are my favorite, but the little chirps on the break also add so much to the groove. The disco vibes are prevalent and lovely; everything in this song is telling me dance. This song is a gem. (7.5/10)
Alex Rubenstein – At first I was thinking this was going to sound too much like a Tycho clone, but as the track continued to build, it quickly became much more than that. This reminds me a bit of the emotion I used to love in Chris Malinchak’s tracks. The vocal sample is effective and treated very nicely. This track and “Trouble†would do very well on anyone’s chill out playlists. (8.5/10)
Vhyce – “From the Day I Saw You†– 8.5/10
Machines Always Win – “Runner†– 8/10 (tie)
Max Telaer – “Trouble†– 8/10 (tie)
MONELISE – “Memory (Caruso)†– 7.1/10
100 gecs – “money machine†(A.G. Cook Remix) – 5.3/10