Javelin remixing Health? Someone should have thought of this way sooner. I am very ready for No Más to drop next month.

Health – In Heat (Javelin Remix)

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I’ve been brewing on this Plastic Beach stream for a few weeks, and can safely say that I am thoroughly impressed with this album. I was speaking with someone the other day about how the music industry has almost turned into a “best song of the day” type of scene, and if it has, then Plastic Beach will be afloat for weeks. Damon Albarn is one of the few producers that can digest a genre without sounding like he’s exploiting his influences. After thoroughly digesting D-Sides, The Good, The Bad, and The Queen, and his recent production for Amadou et Mariam, it’s easy to understand how he ended up with the pieces of Plastic Beach. There are some songs on the album that I don’t like, but the good far outweighs the bad. Empire Ants may be my favorite song on the album. I love the New Edition-ish melodies of Little Dragon, and the electro breakdown towards the end is perfect. I can’t wait to hear what Albarn will do next.

Gorillaz – Empire Ants (feat. Little Dragon)

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I first met Smax at a house party last September, and was blown away by his taste in music. This producer from Karachi grew up around RBMA alum Dalt Wisney, and learned how to make some of the deepest beats I have ever heard. There is just no end to his influences. I’ve heard him sample everything from 70’s porn soundtracks to ancient jazz, and think he’s going to have an epic year. He’s been nice enough to toss me three of my favorite tracks from his upcoming Space Explorations EP, and you can be on the lookout for the rest of the album when it drops later this year.

Smax – Drugs

Smax – Tasty Set

Smax – Heay

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I have no idea what to expect from MGMT’s Congratulations. Oracular Spectacular was very hit-or-miss for me, and I think there may be too many influences going down in Flash Delirium. They’ve decided not to release any singles for the album, hoping it will be seen as a complete body of songs. It’ll be interesting to see how things turn out. Congratulations drops on April 13.

MGMT – Flash Delirium

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Crimson has been sending me some insane beats from Kavinsky. I started listening to his music when I was working in Belgium a few years ago, and it’s been great seeing his following grow around the world. This Parisian makes a visceral sound that’s similar to the productions of D.I.D. favorites SebastiAn, Danger, and Daft Punk. I love the bounce of this Night Call remix, especially the vocals from CSS frontwoman Lovefoxxx. I’m perpetually mystified how no one has heard of any of these guys in the states. Breakbot should be crossing the country by now. Night Call drops via Record Makers on March 22.

Update: Taken down. Enjoy the original.

Nightcall by Kavinsky

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Summer Camp’s Ghost Train has been on repeat for awhile now, and this video only makes it better.

Summer Camp – Ghost Train

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We’ve been receiving loads of excellent music (especially from Australia), and it’s going to take us a few weeks to properly digest all this fresh material. Huess is a London beatmaker who recently informed us about his existence. His soul-inspired sound fits in with Paul White and Bullion, but integrates samples in a different and intriguing manner. I love the atmosphere of I’d Rather Be The Hunter. You can download the entire EP at his bandcamp for only ₤2.

Huess – I’d Rather Be the Hunter

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I don’t know how Arcade Sound is able to stay afloat after releasing all of these great albums for free, but I’m sure they know what they’re doing. Magic Man is a Boston duo who recorded their album after WWOOFing in the French countryside for a summer. Their songs share a similar aesthetic with label mates Million Young and Memoryhouse, but are different enough to complement their sound. It’ll be interesting to see what Arcade Sound will do next. Download the entire album for free.

Magic Man – Like Sailors

Magic Man – Layers

Magic Man – Polygons

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I’m a little late on Oh! Centra, the first release from Javelin’s upcoming album. I’m really weirded out by the child-like vocals going down in this piece, but I’m just excited to hear new material from these guys. No Más is out on April 6.

Javelin – Oh! Centra

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I was spinning hyperdub at a terrible bar in VT last summer, when an old man walked up and handed me a cd full of Samiyam beats. It turns out he spent a lot of time around the scene in Brooklyn, and couldn’t believe I was spinning these beats in the forest. This producer from Ann Arbor is best known for his collaborations with D.I.D. favorite Flying Lotus, but Rap Beats Vol. 1, his first official release, is some serious stuff. He did a pretty interesting interview with the guys over at xlr8r that you should definitely check out. I see some big things in Samiyam’s future. Man vs. Machine dropped last October, and is currently sold out, but I’m sure there are digital copies floating around somewhere.

Samiyam – Catch Me Riding Dirty

FLYamSAM – The Offbeat

Flying Lotus – Grapesicles (Samiyam Remix)

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