Chillout

Autograf – Dream

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

So, it’s nearly that summer season which means it’s time for those afternoons on the beach with a drink in one hand listening to some vibrant tracks; with this as no exception.

Immediately hitting you with an ambient steel drum/xylophonic riff, you are thrown into what feels a dream-like state with a soft vocal with a spongey bass line awakening you. A snare roll brings in the pre-drop, preparing you for something that unlike many songs of recent months seem to do, allows simplicity to drive the song.

With a catchy repetitive chorus and creating a summer evening ambience, it’s hard to see why many people could dislike this track.

This is the Chicago born outfits first original track and is sure to be a summer hit, racking up over 1,000,000 plays on their official Soundcloud page in just a month and have just finished their main support slot tour slot with Klingande across the US.

The track has no official release date as of this time, but expect it to be making waves sooner rather than later.

Twitter – @AutografMusic
Insta – autografmusic
Facebook – Autograf
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/autografmusic

Hermitude – Ukiyo

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

The Australian Hip-Hop duo have hit a belter with ‘Ukiyo’. A non-single release, without any promo campaign or video back in spring, the track features an incredibly hot hook which catches you line and sinker. Using the definition of “Future Bass” on their Soundcloud for the track, it certainly captures your imagination. The synth pitch bend intro and break mid-track anchors this “Future Bass” description and perhaps makes you wonder how that annoying bend you used to mess around with for hours in music lessons has actually been used effectively. The track screams ‘class’ to me, solidified with the suave old school Justin Timberlake like ending.

In recent years there have been AIR Awards for Best Electronic Album, ARIA nominations for Best Dance Release, and of course the winner of the prestigious Australian Music Prize. Currently touring the US with Rufus Du Sol, the veteran Australians are gearing up to headline New Years Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour this winter.

With their last album release, ‘HyperParadise’, and EP ‘Parallel Paradise’ all the way back in 2012, it feels as though we’re owed a new chunk from the Aussie pair. With one of the biggest slots on TV in Australia for NYE… I somewhat think a significant platform will mount another surge from the futuristic duo.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hermitude/
Twitter – @HermitudeMusic
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/hermitude/

David Harks – Open Arms

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

From humble Brighton beginnings, David Harks is ready to take off, and I see 2015 being a key year for the electronic author. Using an array of instruments, front man and writer David Sanderson tells a story, a journey. Through using synthscapes, an incredible sample from Preacher Jayden McKenzie and a distinctive voice, the song creates a ‘moment’, and image, something you know you could link a memory to. I think of ‘memory music’ (if you will) as ‘film music’, and the scene of boy meets girl in the classic American love story fits this song like a glove. Yet without a music video, the song goes hand in hand with Harks’ hometown, and mine for that matter, Brighton, UK. With incredible summer sunsets and often unforgettable nightscapes on Brighton beach, I feel the story of this track has more meaning than many will see for lead writer Sanderson.

After being featured on French electronic label Kitsuné’s annual ‘Kitsuné Maison Compilation’ in October 2013, Harks has hit 2014 with four brand new tracks. Now I see the vision of many readers thinking “That’s all?”, but for me, I prefer quality over quantity and as an upcoming artist, you need an audience hungry for more with anticipation and excitement for your next release, and Harks has this.

With each track offering something different, such as the incredible mellow and stripped back ‘We’ and the ‘Kitsuné Maison Compilation’ featured track ‘Sirens’ offering a more soulful and old school feel, Harks has the ability to hit a variety of audiences, with something for everyone. David Harks is definitely one to keep your eye on in the coming years.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Harksoh/
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/davidharks

Jupiter – Juicy Lucy (Crayon Remix)

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

A spacey intro is something I feel screams chillout track straight away and this is exactly what this is. A superbly built track that builds into itself in an effortless feel. As mentioned on pass posts, the term “pre-pre-drinks” genre that only appears in your head, has found a new disc to start spinning. The perfect track to get you in the mood to head out whilst your adjusting that one strand of hair that won’t fall into place, this ‘bassy’ track will have you dying to go out and get in the rum.

A remix that doesn’t just tweak the sides of the original, Crayon has taken the definition of ‘electro 80s’ and lifted it to a new dimension in his chillout vision for the song. The french DJ has taken the english-french duo’s track – inspired by the likes of Sly & Robbie, Beach House, Alan Parsons Project, Siriusmo – and turned what is supposed to be the classic dancefloor filler in a film set in Paris in 1984, to a whole new audience.

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/crayonfr/
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/le-crayon

Rae Morris – Closer

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

So driving around today I forget my iPod, and when that’s the case, I naturally decide to stick on Radio 1 and hear this absolute chillout gem. Today’s ‘Track of the Day’ on BBC Radio 1 and something that led me into a state of relaxation. Drifting you away from your worries of the day, this beautiful piece begins in an effortless minimalist way, easing into the simple yet effective drum beat through finger clicks – drastically taking the song from the standard piano and vocal ballad that seems to be everywhere you turn these days, to a track with drive and thought. With a simple drum beat throughout though, this can become ‘samey’ and the producer has countered this well by dropping to a classic double bass riff, making your ears stand up and keep your interest there. A great track, ideal for when you want that down time alone.

Rae Morris is only 20, and after getting into music at aged 15, in the space of 5 years she’s gone from small local gigs in her hometown of Blackpool to capturing the attention of Atlantic and Warner records. Her previous track ‘Cold’ saw her work with a personal favourite of mine in Fryars and see’s her edging closer to the charts – clearly where the labels are pushing her.

You can catch Rae Morris live as she supports George Ezra on his UK tour next month.

Website – raemorris.co.uk
Twitter – @raemorrismusic
Soundcloud – soundcloud.com/raemorris

You can pre-order the new EP ‘Closer’ on iTunes now!

Durante (Feat. Chuck Ellis) – Slow Burn

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

This chillout track does exactly as the name suggests, a slow build into a hard-hitting, floorfilling riff. With the soft, easy tone of Chuck Ellis on vocals, the track slots together like a dream and takes your mind to an Ibiza beach party with a drink in your right hand, and your left hand firmly in the air.

Based in LA, California, the 21 year-old producer caused all sorts of fuss with his four track EP ‘Challenger’ this time last year, which he dropped out there whilst interning at the OWSLA label, founded by Skrillex. An electronic ride through various genres with an 80’s house beat persistently at the heart of it, it has received huge reviews from the likes of Earmilk and The Bass Collective and is sure to have helped him meet the right people to turn ‘Slow Burn’ into a future hit amongst Europe’s biggest dancefloors.

Website – durantemakesmusic.com
Twitter – @imdurante
Soundcloud – soundcloud.com/durante
Tumblr – stack.durantemakesmusic.com

Freddy Verano (Feat. Sam Smith) – Moments

Posted on by hemligdiskotek

This Indian Summer bloomer has captured my attention within the first six seconds. A piano riff that just screams ‘Ibiza Chillout’ and puts you into a state of relaxation to begin with, until the track really kicks in. This charismatic track fits into that ‘pre-pre drinks’ category of your night out, but that one track you’ll still be humming and wanting more from even as you stagger home, and the one you wish would be next on queue from the club DJ. The track features one of 2014’s big stars in the UK and worldwide in Sam Smith – which could be the key feature to set this track to the mainstream.

Although born in Cologne, Germany in 1986, Verano is of half Colombian descent. Learning Piano at age 8, Verano’s love of electronic music developed early, and cites artists such as Bob Sinclair, Daft Punk, Armand Van Helden and Erick Morillo as his key influences.

It was only four years ago though that Verano swapped other artists tracks on his decks, to his own. Deciding he wanted his own identity. Describing his sound as ‘Sunshine House’, Verano likes to experiment with Flutes, Piano, Guitars, and strings. Combining all to create an uplifting feel and naturality to his music.