Here at Blisspop, we aim to show our audience who’s making their mark upon electronic music culture today. We sort through the good and the bad, bringing you the latest sounds. Back at it again with the latest edition of our series, Feedback Friday. This week, our group of Blisspop contributors includes: Justin Barini-Rivers, Jonathan Sherman, Patrick Blinkhorn, and Will Creason. This week’s music includes tracks by Behrouz & Squire, x/o, DNNY KAY, Pall Simon, and Jack Back. Check it out below and send us your suggestions for future Feedback Fridays on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
Behrouz, Squire – “Honey On My Lipsâ€
Patrick Blinkhorn – This is a very well produced track. In a club, it would work 100%. But outside of the club environment the track lacks the progression/variation that I’m looking for in a listening experience. (6.5/10)
Will Creason – This song feels a little too safe for me, its build a little too steady. I was waiting for a variation to occur, a break point that begins the track, but it never arrives. I feel like I’m on a trip that never departs. Sorry, this isn’t for me. (2/10)
Jonathan Sherman – I love the soulful house vibes from this track. The recurring synth that fades in and out against the disco hats makes for an incredible blend of funk and Latin house that I truly appreciate. The middle of the track also has this subtle lead that finishes off with a powerful array of chords mastered subtlety in the background. One of my favorites for the week, “Honey on my Lips†is an inspiring and melodic track. (9/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers -Â This is a clean house track. The arrangement is cinematic, yet still club oriented. Throughout it builds lovely textures and at every turn there is some ear candy to keep the main groove rolling without any monotony. A grooved out house roller. The vibe of the room would totally into the burnt vibe that this track has. The crowd not only dances, but is hypnotized in a way. Solid tune from Behrouz and Squire. (8/10)
DNNY KAY – “baile ‘muricaâ€
Patrick Blinkhorn – I’m very impressed with DMV-based artist DNNY KAY’s rendition of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.†He manages to put a completely different spin on the original and oh man does it slap. The intro is phenomenal, the baseline is sexy af and the drums are on point. This track would get 10/10 from me but, unfortunately, DNNY KAY hasn’t finished the track yet – PLEASE FINISH IT! (9/10)
Will Creason – Based on title alone, this was the track I was most excited to hear this week. You get pretty much exactly what you see on the tin; it’s baile funk drums interspersed with elements of “This Is America”. I know it’s a sketch but I wish this was longer and faster. The tempo feels a bit sluggish compared to funk carioca and the time change from the opening loses a bit of momentum. (5/10)
Jonathan Sherman – I like the rap vocals at the beginning of the track, but I wish the beat that comes in halfway through was more in line with the vocals. I appreciate the syncopation on the hats and I like the abrupt fade out of the lyrics at the end, but the beat needs to be stronger and more in line with the progression of the track. Very funky and dynamic; I could see this track being the center of a trap producer’s next big hit. (6/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers - Top five remixes of the Childish hit. The arrangement flows so well it properly rinses over the crowd when it is played. Has that raw Oshi feel that I have rarely been able to capture in other songs. The main problem I have with it is the length. A little short especially for any DJ to use. That doesn’t stop me from playing it constantly. This track has all the vibes of summer if you refuse to let go of the warm weather and sunshine. (7.5/10)
x/o – “Orchid Dreamâ€
Patrick Blinkhorn – Very nice instrumental intro to this track. Haha, I wasn’t expecting the trance synth line, but ok – I’ll take it! The entire track I was expecting drums to come in, but I think the x/o did fine without them. Nice work! (7/10)
Will Creason – The tunes that make the biggest impression on me, year after year, are the ones that are the most shocking in their abandonment of electronic music’s unspoken rules. This is one of them. What, at first, feels like incongruent sparse piano pieces with a full bore trance synth on top, becomes more and more intertwined on repeated listens. The energy of both elements wax and wane in tandem. This is the beatless neo-classical trance anthem I never knew I needed. (9/10)
Jonathan Sherman – A cross between melodic house and future bass, this track has a lot to offer. I like how the track includes a rising synth that ebbs and flows throughout the pad pattern. The track’s build-up also uses an effective chiming effect that reverberates nicely throughout. One thing I wish this track included was a vibrant and effective beat to build out the synth parts. Maybe with an extended mix x/o will consider layering a subtle kick to bring out the syncopated meat of the track. (6.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers -Â Music without drums is always touch and go for me. I have to be in the mood to experience the imagination and patience that tracks like this require. There is nothing lacking in the arrangement or sound design department. The piano and synths were impeccably designed. Moving choir sections slide through the arrangement. The repetition of each of the elements really does allow one to enjoy this style of music. Nothing crazy experimental about this song. (7/10)
Pall Simon – “The Black Lunchâ€
Patrick Blinkhorn – Nice arp bassline and sold percussion sounds in here. Loved all the audio samples, whether it be the dogs or the humans! I liked how Pall Simon changed up the bassline progression midway through the intro. Fuck yea, that extra arp and low frequency “Stranger Things-esque†pad after the 3 min mark was just what I wanted to hear! Yea, this track is strong; this is something I would listen to again. (9.3/10)
Will Creason – This track is fine; all of the elements sound good and are in the right place, but the construction and execution really aren’t doing it for me. I like the sounds being used; the on trend, retro-futuristic 80s vibe is thick here. For me the track loses a lot of energy in the back half when the breakdown wanders an extra 16 bars.  It just kind of is. (4/10)
Jonathan Sherman – For this track, I really love the beginning with the tribal deep house sound that is paired with a mystique of Latin vocals. I enjoy how the track starts off with a smooth roll into a dynamic beat that makes one feel like they’re hiking through the jungle in search of the light. I also love how subtle yet powerful the dip in the middle of the track is and how the vocals come in at the end as if to signify the completion of an eloquent journey. (8.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers - Full on class is what Pall Simon created with ‘The Black Lunch’. This is the kind of track that I would hear live on a rooftop pause and just raise my hands in the air. Feels on feels on feels. The arrangement breathes like a live band would. Each drum hit is steeped in house lore. The hi hats have enough texture to tell the story of most tracks. The ethereal elements place this lovely house track in it’s own realm. Once the vocals come in towards the back end I’m peaking. Smooth vibes all around. This is easily one of my favorite tracks of the year. So clean and powerful. It’s driving groove is powerful, but not oppressive. Perfect for a set or a drive. (10/10)
Jack Back – “(It Happens) Sometimesâ€
Patrick Blinkhorn – This track falls on the “cheese spectrum†for me; a telltale sign is that snare build up to 0:47 and the drop thereafter. This is what I’ve come to expect of Defected these days though. Not what I’m into (I’m on a Warp Records binge right now) but it does tend to move the masses. So feed the animals? I’ll leave that up to you, dear reader. (5/10)
Will Creason – The press release mentions Moby and it’s an obvious touch point from the first moments of this track. The production is exquisite, albeit a little formulaic and obvious. As calculated as everything feels, it is hard to resist; this has peak hour fist pumper written all over it. (6/10)
Jonathan Sherman – One of my favorite records currently out on Defected, David Guetta returns to his underground roots with the release of his latest tech and funky house kicker “(It Happens) Sometimes†under the moniker “Jack Back.†I love the way this track builds and how Jack Back uses the dry vocals from Bessie Jones at the beginning as an instrumental buildup to lead into the track. The end of this track is funky with a solid kick that makes you truly feel the beat against your chest. (9/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers - I would enjoy this song so much more without the vocals. The build feels forced to me, but defected is known for a certain style so I won’t hold it against them. The drop is clean. Mix is superb and the sound design is par with the course for deep. Beyond that I can’t speak to its skill. This tracks drop is not offering much more than midrange bass fells and a nice sub roll. The vocals are catchy, but I find them a little forced and repetitive. This track will do alright, but I doubt it will be able to stand alone in the Defected roster. It doesn’t offer much outside its club utility. (5/10)
The Winners and Losers:
Pall Simon – “The Black Lunch†– 8/10
x/o – “Orchid Dream†– 7.3/10
DNNY KAY – “baile ‘murica†– 6.8/10
Behrouz, Squire – “Honey On My Lips†– 6.3/10
Jack Back – “(It Happens) Sometimes†– 6.25/10