Steve Aoki has revealed a brand new side project, a techno music alias dubbed Ninja Attack. The move should come as no surprise. Underground house and techno music have seen a resurgence in the mainstream as of late, and if there’s anyone to capitalize on the trend, it’s Aoki. The dance music veteran’s reputation has long been predicated on his detachment from genre boundaries. Ninja Attack’s debut is called “Aurora.” The track is dark and minimal in nature, and while it surely won’t impress the traditionalist diehards of the techno community, it’s a solid foray into the genre. Aoki was smart to keep the production subdued here, so as to not completely alienate his fanbase. The kick drums smack with an industrial thud, but the sound desi...
Immersed in a true Central American paradise, Ocaso Festival taps in some of the best international and local artists around year after year. Hosted in the stunning town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica, this multi-day experience incorporates incredible underground music and culture for a unique festival experience. From January 6th to 11th, partiers can retreat to the jungle to join in on this idyllic event. With a focus on intimate dancing experiences, Ocaso is celebrated for its special sunrise and sunset sessions, sets on the beach, and poolside romps. And the pure beauty of Costa Rica never fails to amaze. While the full lineup for the fifth edition of Ocaso is yet to be released, so far the bill includes Amelie Lens, Hot Since 82, Seth Troxler, and Magit Cacoon, among others. Ocaso̵...
Previously, imagining what Nirvana would sound like as a dance music act was only a pie-in-the-sky thought, but today producers Jonathan Hay, Cain McKnight, and 41X have made the concept a reality. Their collaborative album, Nirvana Reimagined As House & Techno is not only a musical tribute to Kurt Cobain’s musical legacy, but also a tribute to his social and cultural impact. The inspiration for this seemingly outlandish idea is rooted in the artists’ desire to highlight Cobain’s fervent advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Given the vital role the queer community played in facilitating the rise of dance music culture, the producers felt that reimagining the musical world of Nirvana in an electronic music context would be an engaging way to highlight this infrequentl...
House and techno are the bedrock of electronic music. From the deep, dark trenches of barebones techno to the entrancing soundscapes of piano-laden melodic house, EDM.com’s monthly series The House Brew explores new releases from time-tested genres. Skywalk – Gorgon City Gorgon City premiered the aptly titled progressive house track “Skywalk” during their live performance for Cercle in Croatia at the breathtaking Biokovo Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass platform at the edge of a cliff that’s 1228 meters above sea level. Perfectly capturing the essence of its namesake, “Skywalk” brims with lush instrumentation and blissful vocal chops. “Merovingian” – Polar Inc. Gentle keys give way to an infectious, plucking bass on “Merovingian.” Polar Inc. keeps the focus o...
Dutch techno music pioneer, writer, and educator Lady Aïda has passed away at 63. The death of the renowned DJ, whose real name was Aïda Spaninks, was confirmed by Eindhovens Dagblad. Spaninks reportedly had battled breast cancer and passed away after a short illness. Spaninks was instrumental in the Netherlands’ techno scene, throwing parties and DJing at festivals in the 1980s and continuing to perform into her 60s. With a staggering collection of over 50,000 vinyl records, she founded Rebelbass, a DJ school in Eindhoven. She also ran the Rebelbass blog on 3voor12 and wrote a monthly column for Eindhovens Dagblad. Her influence on the Dutch techno scene was monumental, helping pave the way for the region’s trance scene to explode on a global level. Lady Aïda wa...
Our Track by Track feature sees musicians revealing the stories and inspirations behind each song on their latest album. Today, Alex Ridha — a.k.a. Boys Noize — dissects his new album, +/- (Polarity). Berlin-based DJ Alex Ridha has released his fifth album as Boys Noize. +/-, pronounced “polarity,” today (September 24th). The record arrives via his own Boysnoize Recordings, and you can stream it below via Apple Music. For an artist like Ridha, who derives much of his influence from Berlin’s bustling club scene, the solitude of the pandemic offered an opportunity for him to fully embrace the different genres that inspire him. “The album dives into the polar tension between the musical styles and worlds I find myself in,” he tells Consequence in a statement. “When you combine opposites,...
Nothing is bolder than coming fresh out of the gate with a new take on a storied genre. Lupa has done just that on her mau5trap debut “For the Ride.” Diving in with a plethora of eerie ambient sounds, listeners will quickly find themselves surrounded by a hypnotic techno buildup. The broodiness of the track maintains throughout, with mesmeric vocal samples serving as a light in the darkness. “For the Ride” captures an old-school feel while simultaneously introducing contemporary elements, emphasizing Lupa’s skill set. As Lupa’s first major release, the Bay Area product has tested her mettle and proven her production is ready for the spotlight. Keep your eyes on her as she’s just getting started. Check out “For the Ride...
House and techno are the bedrock of electronic music. From the deep, dark trenches of barebones techno to the entrancing soundscapes of piano-laden melodic house, EDM.com’s monthly series The House Brew explores new releases from time-tested genres. “Next To Me” – RÜFÜS DU SOL “We decided we wanted this to be a simple love song, which is rare of us to do, to create something purely sweet without juxtaposing that with the raw, dark emotions on the other side,” RÜFÜS DU SOL said about “Next To Me.” Tyrone Lindqvist’s yearning vocals welcome listeners alongside a simple, soothing piano melody. Then, a howling chorus crescendos into an infectious groove. With emotive lyrics, tender vocals, and spirited basslines, “Next To Me” is signature RÜFÜ...
Music is a reflection of the times—a snapshot of the mood of a society and a window into the soul of the enduring human spirit. When enthusiasm is high, anthemic powerhouses tend to arise, urging listeners to have fun, worry less, and party more. And when morale slips, the tones are somber and lyrics turn towards self-reflection. Inarguably, humankind is currently experiencing the latter, and musicians are listening. As producers emerge from the progressive tones of the 2010s, electronic artists have taken a liking towards deeper, techno-driven sounds. The minimalistic approach practically mirrors society’s angst amidst a global pandemic, something Cosmic Gate picked up on and created yet another shift in their musical catalog. Having recently completed their 20th anniversary to...
Almost six years to the day since their 2015 debut, Ukrainian duo ARTBAT have officially announced the launch of their own record label, UPPERGROUND. Designed as a platform for artists of all renown, they hope the new banner will become a home for cutting-edge, emotive techno and trance music. ARTBAT tells EDM.com they also hope the imprint will better define their own music in the electronic landscape. Classifying themselves as neither underground nor mainstream, they are simply interested in producing music that is artfully arranged and sonically compelling. Perfectly embodying this ethos is “Flame,” the latest single from ARTBAT and the inaugural UPPERGROUND release. Cover art for “Flame,” a song by ARTBAT and the inaugural release on their new UPPERGROUND ...
SOFI TUKKER’s single “Drinkee” took the world by storm back in 2016. With its Portuguese lyrics and tropical feel, the song was featured on an Apple Watch advertisement and nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, emerging as one of the most popular songs in the duo’s discography. Now, “Drinkee” has been thrust back into the limelight with a number of official remixes. Along with a rework from John Summit and Vintage Culture comes one from legendary DJ and electronic music producer Carl Cox, who has stepped up to the plate for a thumping techno remix. “Without Carl Cox.. our whole industry would be different,” SOFI TUKKER wrote in an Instagram post, calling him “an inspiration.” “This man embodies the love of music.” ...
SOFI TUKKER’s single “Drinkee” took the world by storm back in 2016. With its Portuguese lyrics and tropical feel, the song was featured on an Apple Watch advertisement and nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, emerging as one of the most popular songs in the duo’s discography. Now, “Drinkee” has been thrust back into the limelight with a number of official remixes. Along with a rework from John Summit and Vintage Culture comes one from legendary DJ and electronic music producer Carl Cox, who has stepped up to the plate for a thumping techno remix. “Without Carl Cox.. our whole industry would be different,” SOFI TUKKER wrote in an Instagram post, calling him “an inspiration.” “This man embodies the love of music.” ...