Sometimes the internet chews up and spits out a musical act so quickly that you can't help but feel sorry for them. Italian EDM outfit VINAI may have been the untimely victims of a seemingly random tidal wave of criticism when the scene united to burn them at the stake for last month's "Techno," but since they not-so-triumphantly returned with a release of scarcely any substance, it seems like as good a time as any for me to jump on the hatewagon.
2015 has already been a densely packed year of massive collaborations for Martin Garrix, but it looks as though he's about to add another to the list. A post to the website of L.A.-based Truth Studios has revealed that he came to the recording studio accompanied by Nicholas Petricca of Walk The Moon.
If it seems a little early for music festivals to begin unveiling their 2016 lineups, that's probably because it is - but apparently Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival didn't get that memo. Even though the Gulf Shores, Alabama festival doesn't take place until May, its already revealed a lineup that's sure to give other festivals a run for their money.
After having the weekend to let Purpose resonate through the music community after its release, Justin Bieber has had the opportunity to discuss the highly anticipated album in an interview with NME. To the resounding disapproval of just about everyone with a keyboard, though, he made the PR misstep of likening his and Skrillex's "Sorry" to The Beatles' "Let It Be."
It seems like no other outfit in electronic music has been featured on as many late night shows as Disclosure - and for good reason, as the Surrey, England duo has proven time and again that they're just as impressive onstage as in the studio. During their performances on Saturday Night Live this weekend, though, the brothers were joined by not only their two-time collaborator Sam Smith but also world-famous singer/songwriter Lorde.
Nicky Romero is one of the most respected producers in progressive house for a reason, but his consistency has been the subject of recent criticism. Despite his best-in-the-business sound design, the Dutch artist has struggled to turn out music at the same rate in the past year or so.
Looks like Tommy Trash has finally been bitten by the nostalgia bug. It seems like every EDM DJ/producer under the sun has been scrambling to prove their street cred by incorporating dated styles into their mixes and productions in 2015, and "Luv U Giv" marks the first time Tommy has flat-out ditched electro house to follow the trend.
With all the eclectic influences being fused together by those on the forefront of electronic music nowadays, it often feels like everything's been done - but every now and again an artist arrives at a synthesis too strange to have been thought of already. Sander Van Doorn and Pep & Rash's "White Rabbit" digs way, way deep for a blend of future house with '60s acid rock, and while it seems like something of a stretch, I have to give them credit for trying.
Remixes are as big a part of EDM as kandi bracelets, clever totems and high-profile lawsuits, but there's definitely a right way and a wrong way to do them. Between cyberstalking critics and speaking out against the #RealDJing movement, 3LAU has made his fair share of missteps, and while his remix of Shawn Mendes' "Stitches" may not be as severe as those, I'll still count it among them.
Electric Forest will return to Rothbury, Michigan next year, and the festival has released the first part of a promotional video series intended to stoke the general public's interest. Titled Once Upon The Forest: Awakening, the clip accompanies the organizers' announcement that the four-day affair will return on June 23-26 of 2016.
