FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Music

The Most Vital Tunes and News from the Worldwide Underground

This week: French acid house, people wearing weed, Russian piano techno, kids at festivals, buzzing German techno, and fighting words from Fatboy Slim

Welcome to Notes from the Underground, THUMP's weekly premiere feature dedicated to shining a light on underground sonics from around the world. Every week, we'll start at the surface and dig deeper into the underground with each track and news story.

In this week's Summertime special edition, we've got sunset house vibes from scene leader SNBRN as well as newcomers Crown Ruff, buzzed-about Berlin techno via ME & Her, French acid house, Russian piano techno (yeah, you read right) and some more of that tech-bass whompage from the UK underground. You can check them all out at this one-stop shop. Have a dig around:

Advertisement

ASTR - "Activate Me" (SNBRN remix)

Vowel-averse NYC electro-pop duo ASTR have been buzzed about for over a year now thanks to lush productions and catchy hooks in the space where R&B and dance meet. SPF-averse Angeleno producer SNBRN is no stranger to hook-heavy, feel good remixes, and this one is all uplifting tones that'll work both in the club and on festival stages.

ASTR is on Facebook // SoundCloud
SNBRN is on Facebook // SoundCloud


Dive Deeper Into South African Dance Culture

While part one of our series Future Sound of Msanzi follows documentarians Spoek Mathambo and Lebogang Rasenthaba from Durban to Cape Town, Part Two of the series explores race, authenticity, and the legacy apartheid has had on electronic music in the country.


ME & Her ft. Billie Fountain - "Lost" [OFF Recordings]

Another classy cut from the always on it OFF Recordings, "Lost" is the lead track from Swiss buzz duo ME & Her, who follow up their debut on Suara last year with a three-track of low-key and dark techno groovers with just a touch of pop sensibility hidden somewhere in all that moodiness.

ME & Her is on Facebook // SoundCloud


Weed Is Now the Pinnacle of "High" Fashion

At this year's edition of Mysteryland USA, weed-related outfits were as rampant a kandi and other sorts of raver gear. Thanks to weed legalization growing across the lower 48, it has never been cooler to wear your weed.


Tete De Tigre - "Sunset Delight"

While much of Lyon is pre-occupied with weird gastronomic shit like turning meat into foam, Frenchman Tete De Tigre has found his own way to turn your insides to foam with his Beaumont Club EP, three tracks of appropriately grainy acid house that is equal parts groove and wonk.

Tete De Tigre is on Facebook // SoundCloud

Advertisement

Dada Life's Olle Cornéer Launches IDM-Inspired 'Night Gestalt' Project

The EDM mega-star is taking things deeply IDM, for Night Gestalt, a dark, minimal electronic project inspired by Cornéer's recent bout with cancer.


Art Crime - "Eye Contact"

Russian producer Art Crime merges the seemingly disparate sonic perspectives of piano house and warehouse techno on "Eye Contact," a tune that is at once intimate and grand as it elevates the concept of club music. Just don't call it "piano techno."

Art Crime is on SoundCloud


Kids Love Music Festivals Just As Much as the Rest of Us

We went to Lighting in a Bottle and found out how moms, small children, Thomas Jack, and spirit crystals all result in one hell of a good time for the entire family.


Crown Ruff - "Keep Up"

Newfangled LA duo Crown Ruff might be a new name, but the duo exhibit a steady hand in the sunset vibes of "Keep Up." The blissed-out synth line is propped up by a laid-back version of a techno stab in the background, suggesting that this one might be the perfect transition tune from daytime pool party to night time rager.

Crown Ruff is on Facebook // SoundCloud


Fatboy Slim: "EDM Will Crash and Burn"

Strong words from a man who is (usually) all about smiles. Sure, there's some context around that quote, but you'll have to read the article to find out.


Klient - "Intent"

More tech-bass fire from UK label Tessellate. The subterranean label puts out top-notch material in this vein like clockwork, and Klient merges pulsating low-end with sound system rhythms and vocal glitches that'll make this one stick out amidst the summery vibes on display this week.

Klient is on Facebook // SoundCloud


Here's all the tunes from this week's edition in one easy-peasy playlist: