Issue #22
New Release: Mt. Si – Limits EP
Unexpected; fluid; smooth. That’s the three word summary for this unannounced EP from LA trio Mt. Si. I stumbled across this electro-pop gem from a repost via CLASSIXX soundcloud. Digging deeper, it turns out the trio were in fact involved with writing and producing on the first CLASSIXX album back in 2013 for Hanging Gardens. The more I listen to Limits EP, the more it makes sense.
Despite the similarity in vibe between the 2013 project and this, the Mt. Si project stands out on its own. A smoother finish and less dance-focused sound was really honed in and allegedly all 4 tracks, which are the only 4 tracks released by Mt. Si, took several years from start to happy-to-publish. The dreamy single “Oh” seems to be the focal point of the group, where they paired the track with the cover art of a mountain range outside Tel Aviv. This is where the visual aesthetic took shape and a more full idea of the group was settled upon. Although CLASSIXX is expected for another LP sometime in the near future, the Mt. Si side project appears to be a constructive, fluid and blissful way to fill the time in between.
Recommended Tracks: “Oh,” “Either / Or”
Monthly Picking
Particularly boosted for this, Flamingosis’ Great Hair is out since Feb. 12 on limited edition cassette! Check out the frisbee-cassette-sticker bundle.
Anticipating/News
- MixMag reported back in early January that Bonobo will release his sixth studio album sometime within 2016. This will mark the first major release from Simon Greene since his critically received The North Borders back from 2013.
- Jessy Lanza shows her return in 2016 with a single “It Means I Love You.” The video also premiered along with the announcement for her new album Oh No with complete tracklist. The album releases May 13th this year.
- Shy Luv announces they are in the studio working on an album.
- Massive Attack released their latest Ritual Spirit EP along with an interactive ‘remix’ iOS app called Fantom. The app takes data from the GPS, motion sensor, your heart rate and other factors to slightly alter the tone of set tracks featured on the EP.
- Based out of Amsterdam, Jarreau Vandal posted a recent photo which displayed the track list to his debut Suburb Superhero EP, scheduled to released soon in the 2016 via Here This Records. “Nobody Else feat. Brasstracks & Niya Wells” released last year and can be streamed via soundcloud. Check a recent interview with the artists as well which enlightens on his process and the upcoming EP.
- Australian native Kyson announces his sophomore LP A Book of Flying with dropping the lead single “You.” Much more ambient and even multi-instrumental integration. Find out a little more at Resident Advisor.
- Four Tet announces a North American tour starting on April 29, planning to bring along Ben UFO and Anthony Naples for his self-titled tour in select cities, but is definitely stopping through Dallas (May 17, 2016).
- Electronic artists from all corners were gathered for a collaborative Star Wars tribute project, Head Space, featuring classic star wars sounds and effects incorporated into beats, drops and manipulations. To name a few artists, Flying Lotus, Bonobo, Rick Rubin, Kaskade and more, and were picked by Rick Rubin who also produced the album.
- Charli XCX unveils on her Zane Lowe Beats 1 spotlight her very own label, starting with the announcement of her collaborative Vroom Vroom EP with UK pop-electronic producer Sophie and the premiere of a new track “Trophy.”
- Kelela announces her debut album through FACT magazine as she brings forth new material this year following her successful 2015 EP.
Artist Feature: Chris Malinchak
In the hustle of modern day beat making, a song can be tackled at any angle. Determined drive, intuition and collaborative effort when two or more people are stuck in a room sometimes supplies the most impressive of songs, and sometimes not so much. The opposite process would be to take things day by day and let the universe passively inspire the artist to mold something out of nothing. The latter is more or less the laissez-faire mentality owned by Brooklynite Chris Malinchak on his chill life of music creation.
Malinchak describes his career impetus as a before and after moment to the subsequent releases of “If U Got It” and “So Good To Me.” An observable favorite to alternative internet music channels such as Majestic Casual or TheSoundYouNeed premiered track after track of Malinchak’s work, all with a steady review and love from the world viewers. But after the showing of “So Good To Me,” the feel-good, almost cheesy but tasteful soft-house track brought renown to the project. The thing is Chris Malinchak had no intent. He wasn’t reading into his fans or asking peers for advise. Malinchak swears by simply writing songs and producing them on a whim and whenever inspiration strikes. In 2013 the song went #2 in the UK only after Daft Punk’s hit “Get Lucky,” and the rest of Chris Malinchak’s discography received the attention it probably deserved.
There was pressure now for more material from Malinchak. This brings us into the (still ongoing) post-era where Malinchak maintains his stance on music making and “staying in the present.” A member of the recently silent but highly respected LA label French Express among fellow nu-disco and house artists such as Moon Boots, Leon Oziel (FKA Perseus), Isaac Tacheur and Jonas Rathsman, Malinchak has contributed as well as expanded his network globally, particularly in the UK. This is where he notably has spent a better part of his collaborative effort and writing. An album was last mentioned via an Earmilk Interview where he reported he was “deep in making songs,” but since then has nothing to show. So we wait. However, Valentines day 2016 showed a happy sign with a lovely, newly refined Malinchak single reminiscent of the feel-good originals from 2013, a song titled “Like It Better.” It’s truly a pleasant vibe; whether subliminally romantic music video gets you or just the swooning sine-wave chords, a sense of passion is evident. But, regardless of the single or whatever the album status may be, Malinchak is producing whenever he feels like it but isn’t holding back on music in the slightest.