Dancing Astronaut reacts to ‘Random Access Memories’: the good, the complicated, the misunderstood

The release of Daft Punk‘s latest album has been hailed by some as the savior of dance music, while others remain unimpressed by the album’s staunch departure from the Daft Punk of yore. It has sparked heated debate amongst our staff since the iTunes stream and we’ve all given it a few days to sink in, to really listen to the album before writing our reactions. Will Daft Punk save dance music like so many have preached in the weeks leading up to its release? Or will the album fall victim to the 24-hour music news cycle and fade away into obscurity like so many other great pieces of electronic music that demand more than just a casual listen?

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Maya Jane Coles dazzles with Easier To Hide EP on new label

It’s been a busy year for the 25-year-old wunderkind, Maya Jane Coles. For the second year running, she’s made the top 10 on Resident Advisors Top 100 Poll, has released a slew of lasting tracks, and rocked crowds at festivals and music venues alike with her definable brand of stirring deep house music. Ahead of her new label called I Am Me Recordings, Maya previews a four-track EP that ranges from down-tempo to peak-time house. The highly anticipated track “Over,” that we first heard on her Essential Mix last year, will finally see a release; along with “Easier To Hide” — the title track of the EP — and two other tracks that feature predominately her own vocals. (more…)