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: Will Creason, Justin Barini-Rivers, Alex Rubenstein, Aeron Premo, and Yvette Bailhache. This week’s music includes tracks by Benson, Len Faki remixed Emika, mindchatter, Osheyack & Nahash, and Room8 featuring Mavrick. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Benson – “ONA ROLLâ€
Will Creason – Super crisp, precision production value on this one. The mixing is faultless here! Great, low scooping bassline energy and a memorable vocal chant wind this one up into a tizzy. I appreciate the brevity here, too; it’s exactly the right length, hitting all of the peaks and leaving on a high note. (9/10)
Aeron Premo – The bassline is quite nice on this one, and the production is very good; it has a nice energy level as well. It’s a bit too commercial sounding for my liking, but it has a couple of enjoyable moments. (5/10)
Alex Rubenstein – When I think of club jams, I think of powerfully tantalizing basslines, memorable vocal loops and a general ‘throw your hands up, close your eyes, and whip your hair’ vibe, and Benson nails all that criteria in a succinct three minutes with “ONA ROLL.†8-bit melody leads can be really hit or miss for me, but in the context of this track, we have an infectious winner of a lead. I will also say that the relatively short runtime keeps the energy at a high for the duration of this tune, elevating it to house banger status. I will be coming back to this one and hope to hear it in a club near me this summer. (8.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This song is a standout, with Benson bringing the heat all the way from Australia. The vocals get me in the mood; I feel like I am back enjoying the proper vibes that shows in Australia come with. This sonically is so smooth, I love it! Benson has a way of making big tunes that are also playful – I’m head-banging with a full smile. The textures in the sounds themselves are what I always look forward to. There is a vibe in this song that is more than just tight sounds. I hope to hear Benson play this one day. (10/10)
Yvette Bailhache – This is definitely not a track I’d usually press play on, but the energy of this song is undeniable. It’s hype and futuristic with the right amount of sexiness to it. I could play this for my hardcore, trap head homies and even they’d hit the dance floor (with the right amount of liquor in ’em of course). Perfect weekend jump-off song for sure. (8/10)
Len Faki – “Robot Evolution†(Emika Remix)
Will Creason – The latest remix package from Len Faki boasts heavy hitters like Charlotte De Witte and Benjamin Damage, but it’s Emika’s remix that steals the show. Instead of delivering just a basic juggle of the existing elements, Emika remakes the original into a completely revamped and instantly charming new track. Emika’s vocal hook additions are superb and the gnarling, heaving arpeggiated synth adds the requisite dystopian vibe. This is how you do it! (9/10)
Aeron Premo – There are a lot of 90s trance elements in this track, and I have to say, I’m loving that part of it. The clash of the two vocals works incredibly well, and the use of different synth patches, along with the vocals, creates a slightly menacing atmosphere. While this is a bit too dark for my liking, this track has a lot of nice elements (5.5/10)
Alex Rubenstein – Outside of writing or producing wholly original compositions, remixing is a unique art form on its own, but I am most impressed when an overlap between the two talents comes about. Emika’s remix of “Robot Evolution†is, arguably, a much better track than the original on a number of levels. For one, Emika’s version is far more dynamically engaging. The vocals are both warm and distant, providing a sense of intimacy one time removed. The arpeggiated synth sucks you in, spins you around, and spits you out right into the middle of the dancefloor. And as with all good techno, the drums are precise and keep you grounded safely in time. (8/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This is clean – I love four-on-the-floor music with female vocals. The juxtaposition of the female and male vocals is very dope, I wish more people did that. The tension and release is amazing. The way the voice is the centerpiece, but at times takes turns with the melody, is powerful. I am in love with the arrangement; it just comes and goes perfectly. (8.5/10)
Yvette Bailhache – There’s some mystique in the beat that I can get with and the vocals were a nice and needed addition. It’s dark and edgy, which I can always appreciate. I can’t imagine a situation where I would actually play this again for pure enjoyment, but I was able to listen to it in its entirety without frowning, so for me that says a lot. (5/10)
mindchatter – “just gonna existâ€
Will Creason – Sorry guys, I don’t get it. (2/10)
Aeron Premo – I’m not really feeling the vocals on this one, but everything else about this track is quite pleasant. The use of varying synth tones, both high and low, creates a nice wave of emotions, and the understated production compliments this. I think this track has potential for an audience, it’s just not completely my cup of tea. (6/10)
Alex Rubenstein – Right off the bat, I get Palmistry vibes from this song, both in vocal style and sunny dancehall-adjacent instrumentals. I’m a big Palmistry fan, but something about mindchatter doesn’t approach the highs that he hits. The laid back approach to this track makes it an apt summertime playlist addition for lounging by the pool, grilling or laying in a hammock with your girl (or boy or partner or dog or alien). Good song, just not great. (6/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This is dreamy, like a ride on a cloud! The vocals have me melted immediately. I feel like that white noise would push most people away, but it only brings me closer as I love a purposeful white noise push. I realized on the second play I was dancing at my desk, so sneaky! (It must have some of that Diplo/DJ Snake magic sauce in it.) This tune is a perfect example of keeping your song uncluttered – it isn’t complex and I don’t need it to be. I feel a hit coming. (7/10)
Yvette Bailhache – Initially, I got some serious Glass Animals vibes with this track, which I totally don’t mind. There’s a lot of interesting stuff happening with the production, and lyrically (if you listen hard), he’s spewing some relatable shit. For almost three minutes I was able to silence my own mind, due to being distracting by the mind-chatter of his, and I really enjoyed it.  (8.5/10)
Osheyack & Nahash – “Hold Patternâ€
Will Creason – Oh boy, this track has me excited from the first drop. The weird, off-kilter, vintage NYC electro, bleepy melody veers straight into Jersey Club-like high speed kicks that give off a kind of washed out gabber feeling. This is precisely what I want to hear more of: minimalist cross-genre club cuts. Totally hype! (9/10)
Aeron Premo – This sounds like a weird combination of industrial and video game music. The production is very calculated and holds the track together, but it sounds the same throughout. I think you can clearly tell this is not a track I will be revisiting, but as always, there is a market for this. (3/10)
Alex Rubenstein – This tune dates back to about a month and a half ago, but the SVBKVLT label just landed on my radar and I felt this collab, off the recent label showcase release, deserved to be in the spotlight. There are some very interesting sounds coming out of China’s underground electronic scene, and “Hold Pattern†exemplifies the talent to the fullest. The way the beat knocks with serious force, the feeling of the synth lead being ripped to digital shreds as it continues, and the way it seems to float while simultaneously weighing a couple tons. Let’s blow up the dance! (9/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This song is tough and raw. It’s what comes to mind when I hear people say they make ‘underground music.’ The drums are rolling, and the use of fills is totally what I am looking for from a tune like this. There’s proper movement in the arrangement every 16 bars and some glitchy effects to match. Dialup tone from an old internet connection is by far my favorite glitch sample. This tune is amazing! This is a really well executed tune and they deserve some congratulations. (9/10)
Yvette Bailhache – For some odd reason this song made me giggle. It felt like something was inside my ears, tickling me. I was actually rather tired when I pressed play and this joint woke my ass up real quick. When it suddenly just ended, I almost felt lost and confused so I had no choice but to go make some coffee to keep my alertness up. So thanks, I guess? (5/10)
ROOM8 – “West†(feat. Mavrick)
Will Creason – This track’s instrumentation sounds great, but the vocals aren’t doing it for me. The backing track does a good job channeling the idealized, 80s throwback vibe that M83 has perfected. Whereas M83 relies on hazy, indistinct dream pop vocals, the vocals here are too upfront for my liking. It feels more like a pastiche than a full-on genre experiment, as if this song could easily be rewritten to sound like snap & clap modern pop rock. (4/10)
Aeron Premo – I first became familiar with ROOM8 when they collaborated with one of my favorite artists, Little Boots (recording under the name Christina) on the track, “Better Than Music.” I loved that track so was curious when I heard about their new release. I love the fact that ROOM8 doesn’t resort to synthpop cliches in their chord progressions or song structure. Their production style is very crisp and Mavrick’s vocals are perfectly suited to the arrangement and song. “West†won’t set the world on fire, but it’s a much welcome addition to the current synthpop landscape. (7.5/10)
Alex Rubenstein – “West†sounds like it has been smoothed over to the point where any sense of creativity, funkiness or impact has been homogenized into nothingness. The lyrics are pretty corny, the vocal delivery is lame, the synthwork is just too basic and ultimately, we are left with a song that is simply boring. I really don’t know if there is even an appropriate time to play this or who the target audience would be. It certainly is not me. Oh well. (1.5/10)
Justin Barini-Rivers – This song takes me back to the 80s with its sound design and vocal takes. Although I am not that big on 80s music, the sound is genuine and they hit it well. I am always ready for some dramatic vocal takes and these definitely will do the trick. Overall, I am happy with the mix and master, and I really love the final product. West and Mavrick did a solid job. (6/10)
Yvette Bailhache – Hmmm… Right from the intro I had a feeling this song was headed in the direction of bad prom music from a late 80’s teen flick (location, anywhere USA), and unfortunately, I was right. If I heard this in an actual movie maybe I’d have a tad more appreciation for it, but this just feels a little too dated for my taste. (3/10)
The Results:
Benson – “ONA ROLL” – 8.1/10
Len Faki – “Robot Evolution” (Emika Remix) – 7.2/10
Osheyack & Nahash – “Hold Pattern” – 7/10
mindchatter – “just gonna exist” – 5.9/10
Room8 – “West” (feat. Maverick) – 4.4/10