Ultra Music Festival stands alone, distant from the EDCs of the world, as the landmark event for every DJ that graces the decks of its stages. Much like how football fans have the instinctual ability to recall the stars and game changing plays of Superbowls past, electronic fans will, naturally, always remember their favorite artists, the corresponding set list and major moments from any given year at Ultra.
Headliners of the annual festival share the same glory as Superbowl MVPs, but it’s also the opportunity for dance music rookies to find their breakthrough with one everlasting set, to be remembered in the same vein as the Superbowl rookie who becomes immortalized with one historic catch. With hundreds of DJs slated to perform at Ultra this year, we take a narrow look at the members of the freshman class who are due to establish themselves under the South Beach sun this March.
Want an easy way to make sure you are up to date on all the latest, best music? Dancing Astronaut takes a look at the top 10 tracks officially released in February and ranks them based on a combination of reader feedback, track quality, editorial preference & critical reception.
Dancing Astronaut wraps up February for you with another edition of our top 10 tracks of the month. February’s list features massive tracks from reader favorites Arty, Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, and more. Not to be missed are also fantastic efforts from up-comers Pink is Punk, Disclosure, and The M Machine. Click past the break for our top 10 tracks of February!
AlunaGeorge‘s genre-fusing productions have gained the UK duo recognition around the globe in the last year. After reaching #2 on the UK Billboard Singles chart for their collaborative effort with fellow Brits Disclosure on “White Noise,”Aluna Francis (vocals) and George Reid (production) are ready to reveal details of their forthcoming debut album.
The two announced the release date of their now-named Body Music LP, which is set for July 1 via Island Records. Along with this announcement, the duo unveiled the title of their next single “Attracting Flies” which was played for the first time on Zane Lowe‘s BBC Radio 1 show last and will be released March 10. The track is a bubbling warped beat which bounces off Francis’ soft vocals with ease creating another polished poppy production from the rising duo.
Disclosure have revealed the video for their new single “White Noise” — a track that recently debuted in the UK singles chart at #2. In such a short time, these two have risen to the top of every critic’s list and the track comes ahead of their forthcoming artist album set to release later this year. The duo is set to embark on their second US tour in the coming weeks, making a stop at the mecca of all dance music events — Ultra Music Festival.
Disclosure’s “White Noise” took the #2 spot on the UK singles chart last week so, naturally, mainstream news media is beginning to take notice of the aspiring duo. The Guardian, one of Britain’s largest news publications, sat down with young brothers, Howard and Guy Lawrence, to discuss musical influences, living in outside London and experimental hits.
The article ties Dave Jones — known in entertainment as Zed Bias — into the discussion as Disclosure has helped revive demand for the house veteran’s dark garage sound. It took 15 years for Zed to perfect his music in the same way the 18 and 21 year old have, sparking a rumor that “they couldn’t possibly be mixing it themselves.”
Disclosure‘s “White Noise” has been climbing up the UK Top 40 chart over the last two weeks, currently sitting pretty at an impressive #2 spot. The track features a collaboration with another set of rising stars from London – AlunaGeorge – and it showcases both duo’s developing strengths. Now, Glasgow native Hudson Mohawke is ready to add his take on the glittering production, toning down the vocals and adding R&B drum kicks to give “White Noise” that HudMo flavor. Recently signed to G.O.O.D. Music after releasing countless hip-hop tinged productions both solo and alongside TNGHT partner-in-crime Lunice, Hudson Mohawke continues to prove his affinity for R&B influences.
Click below the break to listen, this will be released on PMR Records.
Best of the Rest is a daily feature from Dancing Astronaut that recaps the most important posts of the day as well as the stuff we didn’t get to. With the rapidity that dance music news and releases come out it’s difficult for us to hit everything — we hope BOTR serves as a catch-all. Make sure to check it out at the end of each day to ensure you don’t miss anything!
During their “first fucking show in America” Disclosure treated fans to a live rendition of D.O.N.S. feat. Terri B’s “You Used to Hold Me.” In this video the brothers share a growing inclination towards incorporating “real” instruments into their performances. Howard explains that audience members have a more difficult time relating to an artist behind a computer than they do one behind a drum set. Watch the video to see the crowd go wild and hear about Disclosure’s acclamation to their growing success. If you’re interested in seeing them live, click below the break and check out a list of their recently announced tour dates. They’re set to return to Brooklyn in March, as well as stops at Ultra and Coachella.
Many producers have attempted to remix tracks of the late R&B princess Aaliyah and few have done so with the polished precision of Skream. The dubstep producer’s latest release “Kreepin’” is his take on Aaliyah’s notorious song “If Your Girl Only Knew,” giving listeners more ’90s R&B inspired house productions from the UK. Touching on the sounds of garage, Skream maintains the soul of the 1996 original while adding the 2-step rhythm of newcomers like Disclosure and Bondax have helped champion. The rework was featured in Skream’s December mix last year and now the track is available as a free download.
Click below the break to listen and head over to his Soundcloud for the free download.
Before Eric Prydz blessed the world with his Essential Mix, Pete Tong took us through this week’s Essential New Tunes – a must-have list for all dance music enthusiasts who wish to stay on top of current releases. Beginning with Dirty South & Deniz Koyu’s, “Halo,” set to release Monday, spanning to Dimitri Vegas, Monguai & Like Mike’s massive new hit, “Mammoth,” to a cosmic new track from Jeremy Olander, “Let Me Feel.” Pete’s Essential New Tune of the Week was none other than Disclosure’s, “White Noise” – a song that reached #3 on the UK Dance iTunes Chart within a day of being released. 15 Minutes of Fame was spent with Russian prodigy Arty who chatted about life on the road, and played us Alesso’s famed mix of his song “When I See You,” in addition to his trance-induced remix of Zedd’s “Spectrum”. Full tracklist after the break.
