indie

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Beautiful Monsters: Makes My Blood Dance’s Genre Rebellion “Time and a Place”

Brooklyn's musical mutineers, Makes My Blood Dance have returned to terrorize genre purists with their latest single "Time and a Place," which dropped just now. It's another middle finger to convention from the self-proclaimed "DiscoMetal" architects who refuse to color within the lines.

Recorded with producers Mikal Blue (OneRepublic) and Brett "Epic" Mazur (Crazy Town), the track is a disorienting cocktail of contradictions—screaming guitars and pulsing beats, vulnerability and aggression, all crashing together like colliding planets. It's messy, it's jarring, and that's precisely the point.

https://youtu.be/sGiQSNLG0ek

Lead vocalist EV0's lyrics cut deeper than their previous work: "How can I compete/There is no one left to ask now/When I'm down here on my knees." There's a raw desperation here that punches through the theatrical facade the band typically employs, revealing the bleeding human underneath all that makeup and swagger.

Their accompanying video continues their tradition of visual excess—described as a "Dancing with the Stars meets Burning Man" fever dream. As 360 Magazine aptly put it, this is "Saturday Night Fever meets Guitar Hero 2099," and the description couldn't be more perfect for their chaotic aesthetic.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4QVztefY7D7VQHAUv15lGK?si=8a25992bdb794e51

The single precedes their upcoming nine-track album Z3r02LGHTSp33D, with the band hitting the road March 20th in West Palm Beach before tearing through Florida and Texas alongside nu-metal survivors like Josey Scott (Saliva) and Hed PE.

Makes My Blood Dance exists in the uncomfortable spaces between established sounds, creating something that simultaneously feels familiar and alien. It's this willingness to embrace contradiction that makes them one of the most genuinely interesting acts in today's alternative landscape—where true experimentation has become increasingly rare.

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Cullen Jack: Harmonizing Heartbreak in “Space and Time”

In the vast expanse of the music universe, a new star twinkles with a poignant melody of love lost and the solitude of waiting. Cullen Jack, Oregon’s melodic maestro, weaves a tale of heartache and the aching void of absence in his latest single, “Space and Time.” With a heartfelt narrative set against a canvas of tender piano tunes, Jack invites us into a story of love’s labyrinth where space and time don’t heal, but tell a tale of their own.

“Space and Time” isn’t just a song—it’s a journey through the corridors of hope and the alleys of despair. It starts with a whisper, a gentle confession of patience when Cullen croons, “When you asked for space, I stepped away…” His voice, a blend of raw emotion and refined artistry, echoes the strength it takes to let go. But as the verses unfold, the realization dawns—the space becomes a chasm, the time turns into a relentless tide, sweeping away the castles of what could have been.

Cullen Jack‘s artistry lies not just in his words, but in the silences between them, the instrumental breaths that speak volumes of the introspection and growth that comes from pain. The song crescendos with an instrumental bridge, a poignant pause that serves as a canvas for listeners to paint their own experiences of love and loss.

The cheesiness of the piece comes with a mature flavor, the kind that knows the bitterness of growth. It’s in the earnest search for self-improvement, the wistful smile of moving on, and the sober realization that sometimes, coming back isn’t in the cards. “Signed, Kind Regards, I’m movin’ on,” he sings, and it’s a line that sticks, a postscript to a chapter that’s closing.

Cullen‘s background in classical piano and his symphonic adventures add depth to each note, his music resonating with the authenticity of someone who has translated life into music. He channels the spirits of his muses, from the storytelling grandeur of Jim Croce to the lyrical wit of John Prine, and the result is a single that’s as much a story as it is a song.

“Space and Time” stands as a testament to Cullen Jack’s journey—a bridge from the piano bars of Tokyo to the global stage, from singing tales in two tongues to telling the universal story of love. As he gears up to shower us with more singles and an album, this track is a promise of the musical mosaic to come. It’s a mosaic where each piece is a note, a lyric, a heartbeat that Cullen Jack captures and turns into song, etching his mark in the rhythm of the world, one beat at a time.

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Young Dolph Throws A New Shot At Yo Gotti In Long Running Beef

The beef between Young Dolph and Yo Gotti has played out like a long, dramatic saga. So far the beef has resulted in Dolph's truck being shot up in 2017 while he was in Charlotte, N.C. 

He was also shot in Hollywood later that same year while Gotti was in town. One of Gotti's friends was arrested for the shooting but was then released.

The beef has seemed to grow quiet as of late, but in an Instagram post that Dolph shared on Wednesday, he dissed Gotti. And he did it by indicating that his 2017 Gotti diss song “Play With Yo’ Bitch” went gold.


"Have u ever smashed a f*k n---a bitch, then got paid for it…,” wrote Dolph in the caption. “Another gold plaque stupid ass lil boy. INDEPENDENTLY THO ."

Gotti recently got out of his record deal but has yet to do anything as an indie artist.

Do you think Dolph and Gotti will ever stop beefing?

Posted In: News Beef Young Dolph Yo Gotti
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Jai Wolf & Wrabel Take Us To The Moon & Back To Red Rocks with “Moon Rider”

2019 saw Jai Wolf debut his first studio album, the eclectic and adventurous The Cure To Loneliness. Now entering a new year and a new decade, he continues his brand of electronic/indie fusion in the new single “Moon Rider” featuring Wrabel.


Bearing similarities to The 1975, Troye Sivan, or Years & Years, “Moon Rider” is made up of lush synths and Wrabel’s now instantly noticeable voice.

Along with the single, Jai Wolf announced his first ever headlining Red Rocks show, as well as shows at Bill Graham, Aragon Ballroom, Brooklyn Mirage, and Coachella.

For more information, visit jaiwolf.com.

 

Photo Rukes.com

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Breaking: MethLab Recordings Delivers First Bass Shot of the Year, Last Hurrah

Today MethLab Recordings, the label that broke the mold of bass music and continue to shirk labels for nearly ten years, announced it will be closing up shop by the end of February this year. Given their robust release schedule over the past few months, this came as quite a shock to artists, fans and industry pundits alike.


In a world where pretty much any heavy, fast bass music was labeled as neurofunk, MethLab was decidedly not neurofunk, even though the label helped break countless neuro and tech-based artists like Exept, Merikan and Inward, Hanzo & Randie. It’s also been the label of choice for neuro/indie bass legend Current Value for some years.

MethLab rallied against genre labels and turned around any misconceptions, especially in the past few years as it released series like BNKR and Sentinel, full of weird and wild bass music that not only wasn’t drum & bass, it was barely even defined as any genre. MethLab has always sought out and signed projects from artists who break the mold and encouraged as much mold-breaking as possible. Artists like Woulg, Balatron, Missin, Aeph x Kung, Subp Yao, Anthony Baldino and Chrizpy Chriz have cut their teeth in the experimental world thanks for MethLab’s open-beat policy and the bass music world is better for it.

MethLab also had a massive audio-visual component, coming up with some of the most innovative album art in bass music, creating rich, trippy videos for artist releases and, of course, the huge CVAV travelling AV show with Current Value. MethLab’s body of work has always been a feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

All that said and accomplished, MethLab has decided to move on to different work this year but until then, there’s still quite a lot of releases to come before February, some just around the corner. Fans can expect EPs from Subp Yao and Skylark as well as singles from Rescue and Oskillator.

The big releases and, as far as the bass music world is concerned the first two big bass strikes this year, are due out on all formats this Friday: the huge Sentinal compilation album and – who could forget – the Current Value epic, Senex.  Both have been available on MethLab’s Bandcamp page since mid-December and as exclusive, limited run vinyls but on Friday they will hit even harder on all other platforms and are available for pre-order now.

While not officially the last releases on MethLab, Senex and Sentinel tell the story of MethLab’s lasting impact on bass music. Current Value’s huge, 21-song salute to experimental bass and the last in the Sentinel series, a compendium of the label’s legacy not only bring out the big beats for one last hurrah but provide a poignant snapshot of MethLab’s legacy.

Some fans might feel there will be a gap in bass music where MethLab once was but that’s not really true. As long as the artists, the work and the idea that music can’t be pigeonholed still exists in the scene, MethLab’s purpose is still being served.

MethLab will be putting its entire back catalog, remaining merch and vinyl up on their Bandcamp page and given how much the label’s fans love their merch and art, it will probably go quickly. Senex and Sentinel are also available now on Bandcamp and will be out on all other major platforms this Friday, January 10.

 

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Famba Talks About Star Wars, His Career, and The Huge Success Of His Single "Storm" [Interview]

photo: Mathew Guido


If there’s one artist you need to keep your eye on throughout 2020, it’s Famba. The young Canadian DJ/Producer is incredibly talented and has already created quite the buzz. He has had two songs chart in the top 15 on Canada’s Top 40 radio chart, opened for Marshmello at iHeart Radio’s Fan Fest in Toronto, and he also signed an exclusive recording contract with Sony Music Canada.

Most recently, Famba’s big single “Storm” that was released in August has started to surge on the US dance charts, currently sitting at #6! It’s been charting for the past 7 weeks and has showed no signs of slowing down. It’s a very exciting time for Famba and we were thrilled to be able to talk with him about his career thus far, his single “Storm”, and even a little bit of Star Wars! We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did.

Have you watched Star wars Episode 9 yet? If so, what were your thoughts?

I did! I thought it was great, few bits we’re a little meh. Don’t want to spoil anything with specifics… But overall I enjoyed it! 

Tell us about the story behind “Storm”. (How did this come about? Was the process any different from how you usually create? Was this your first time working with Kyra?)

A friend Andrew had sent me this topline idea he had written that day. The demo version of storm was originally at 100BPM and had more of an ‘indie’ vibe. I took the vocal and sped it up aggressively fast, we re-recorded the vocals at a normal tempo and then the version you all hear today was born! (After 30ish versions and lol) 


The press release talks about Storm reflecting your earlier productions. Tell us about where Storm fits in to your creative journey.

When I initially started releasing music under Famba, I was making tech-house and deep house in 2015-2016. Eventually I transitioned into making more pop/dance-pop leaning music. It was nice to come back to my roots with Storm. That being said, there will be much more like it coming soon ? 

Storm is all over the radio and SiriusXM right now. Did you expect that kind of response?

It’s so crazy! I don’t think I ever really expect a response from anything lol. I work on my songs for so many hours & days & weeks that by the time the song comes out my ears are fatigued to it. I wish I could hear my music for the first time as a finished product. 

We heard you’re making the move to Toronto, why?

I live in Halifax currently. It’s a great place but to be fair I just can’t justify living here anymore. We have a small airport so, for touring, it’s tough to get flights in and out. Toronto has such a cool vibe and I can’t wait to relocate! 

What are some of your goals for 2020?

My main goal is to keep pushing myself as a songwriter and producer. I’m onto a sound that I’ve been working up to for years and I’m super excited to see it all play out. Also to stay happy and healthy. Thats the most important ? 

Is there anything else you’d like to share to our readers?

My debut EP.  “Wishes Vol. 1” is finally releasing on Jan 31! I’ve been working on it for so long and have gone through so so many demo’s. It’s nice to have it wrapped up and ready to ship to the world. Also I just released a remix for The Chainsmokers which was a goal of mine since I started Famba! Check it out! 

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The xx Confirm They're Working On New Music Heading Into 2020

We’re projecting that 2020 will be a great year for music, as The xx confirm they’re back in the studio!


For fans, there’s no better way to start off the new year than this — “We’ve all been working on new music,” The xx captions the post below, “can’t wait to share it with you! Hope you have the best new year!”

Over the years, the 3-piece English indie band have championed a distanced blend of rock, pop and electronic, painting outside genre lines in the best possible ways. Their debut album xx came out in 2009, followed by Coexist in 2012 and I See You in 2017.

Jamie xx also made waves with his own solo record, In Colour, which released in 2015.

See their official announcement below and get ready for the return of The xx in 2020.

The xx – New Music 2020

 

H/T: Consequence of Sound