The latest project from OWSLA arbiter Alvin Risk is a boisterous dubstep collaboration alongside New York duo Designer Drugs. “Empty Hearted” begins with a quick four-on-the-floor beat bolstered by transposed lyrics and clicking 8-bit synths. The drop that ensues is a bit rambunctious, but balanced out nicely by an overriding big room melody. Along the same lines as his previous release ”Skyclad,“ Alvin Risk has lent his own voice to the production, warping and tuning it into a robotic and melancholic vocal track.
After returning to the production front with “Skyclad,” budding OWSLA talent Alvin Risk has teamed up with New York duo Designer Drugs for a ripping dubstep track entitled “Empty Hearted.” While Designer Drugs are known more widely for their harder electro selections, the two have dabbled in dubstep on various occasions, and their newest collaborative effort alongside bass music purveyor Alvin Risk is evidence for their taste in 140 bpm destruction. Just as he did in “Skyclad,” it appears Risk has once again lent his own vocals to the track, albeit with a bit more auto-tuning. “Empty Hearted” is scheduled for release on April 16th on Ultra Records.
For those in the know, the Red Bull Guest House (aka the Dream South Beach Hotel on every other week of the year) was a WMC hot spot this year for catching marquee talents in an intimate setting populated by sunbathing models and A-list onlookers. With eye-opening lineups featuring the likes and labels of Skrillex, A-Trak, and Boys Noize, the poolside performance spot mostly catered to more new-school genres like electro, dubstep and trap over the course of the past week.
It’s been a while since we last heard some original material from Alvin Risk – his Infinity EP was nearly a year ago — but the wait is finally over, as the plaid-sporting Skrillex-understudy has released “Skyclad” today on OWSLA. Beginning with an enticing, orientally-flavored string intro, “Skyclad” picks up with sedative broken beat and a yearning vocal track (which we’ve confirmed as Alvin Risk’s own). Risk’s lyrics aptly precede the drop, as he sings: “I wanna show you how, to lose yourself.” With its roaring undertones and spitting laser-like synths, the ensuing drop is not for the faint of heart.
“Skyclad” is classic Alvin Risk through and through, and a worthy return to original material for the OWSLA protégé. Adoring fans will find much cause to celebrate in Risk’s latest output.
Aside from providing remix duties for Monsta and the Prodigy, Alvin Risk has been a bit quiet on the release front. With today’s preview of “Skyclad,” it appears Alvin Risk is gearing up for his first original production since his Infinity EP. Beginning with a series of chiming synths, “Skyclad” picks up with a deep beat and a yearning vocal track (presumably from Risk himself as no vocalist is cited). The preview ends all too abruptly before the would-be screeching, spastic dubstep drop takes over. “Skyclad” will be released on March 5th via OWSLA.
Last week Zedd captivated audiences with his acoustic performance of “Clarity” alongside Foxes and Alvin Risk on the David Letterman Show. The young producer continues to gain recognition and fans through his evident musical talents, securing himself a permanent position in the dance music elite. This week Zedd released an official video for the acclaimed tune, which heavily features vocalist Foxes in an on-screen love affair. Zedd, who only appears occasionally throughout the video, allows the visuals and Foxes to charm watchers, while his precise production tickles our ears.
On the heels of last month’s Zeds Dead and Noisiaremixes of The Prodigy, OWSLA-adept Alvin Risk has reworked “Firestarter,” the iconic track off of The Prodigy’s fabled third album The Fat of the Land. Preserving the gothic overtone of the legendary single, Alvin Risk ramps up the tempo to 170bpm for a drumstep/drum ‘n’ bass production just as menacing as the original. The Prodigy’s influence on Alvin Risk is quite clear, and thus it only makes sense that he pays tribute to the famed group by remixing one of their biggest singles. Risk’s remix is part of the official reissue of The Fat of the Land, released on XL Recordings.
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The Prodigy, the hard-electro innovators who produced the legendary album The Fat of the Land in 1997, celebrate its 15th anniversary with a reissue. This time the originals will be accompanied by remixes from some of 2012′s biggest names and the latest are from Zeds Dead and Noisia.
In anticipation of the rerelease, XL Records released an EP with a sneak-peek into the remixes. Noisia starts off the 2-part compilation with a remix of the long-lived “Smack My Bitch Up,” giving the track a sharper drum & bass edge. Zeds Dead rework “Breathe” another one of The Prodigy‘s biggest tunes, deconstructing the track entirely to recreate a dark vibrating electro beat. Keeping the original instrumental hook and a vocal sample, ZD remix “Breathe” into a club banger without losing its original eerie vibes.
The reissue of The Fat of the Land is due December 3 and will also include remixes from the likes of Major Lazer, Alvin Risk and Baauer.
Producers Rocky and Rufio’s bass-heavy pop beats weave around the soulful vocals of Skaar to create the harmonious tunes of Monsta. The trio, who was discovered by Skrillex and signed to OWSLA, released its debut self-titled EP today. Made up of three original productions and three epic remixes, the compilation will tickle the ears of dubstep and pop fans alike.
Beginning with the opening track “Hold On,” listeners can hear the power behind Skaar’s silky androgynous voice. The original cut creeps into a muffled bubbling bassline to emphasize Skaar’s every echo before a rework by Skrillex and Nero comes up later on the EP. “Messiah” and “Where Did I Go” precede the list of heavyweight remixes, both of which give listeners melodic instrumental beats laced by Skaar’s seemingly signature vocal hooks.
After a year of building a team, the OWSLA crew is ready to hit North America with their first proper label tour. Starting in Nashville October 26th, the group will make their way to the West Coast, Canada, and the East Coast, before ending in Philadelphia November 18th. The lineup will vary by date, but unfortunately, head honcho Skrillex will only be making an appearance in New Orleans with Zedd. The rest of the dates will feature Kill the Noise, Jack Beats, The M Machine, Alvin Risk, Birdy Nam Nam, Alex Metric, Kill Paris, MONSTA, and Seven Lions. Tickets will be on sale soon so make sure to checkout the linuep and dates for each location past the break. (more…)
