Balmy- The Center of

       Ambling, tranquil, space-age hip-hop with a murky psychedelic pulse. Like a bio-dome in another galaxy, The Center of harnesses a breathy, out-of-this world haze and sets it in slow-motion to music. You can practically visualize the rainbow colored mushrooms sprouting from fallen logs and a supernova above in the sky- Shimmering beats made for other planets.






 

Gramatik- Illusion of choice

          A massive throw down of genre-defying Dub-Step. Exotic String arrangements, fuzzy, robotic synthesisers, that trademark PLM Soulful hip-hop, and absolutely punishing dub-step wobble destruction combine into what is probably the most EPIC track I've heard all year.  Check out this song and a few more killer tracks on his new E.P. Digital Freedom for free at his website, Gramatik.net 

BrokenTeaLeafs- First Steps EP

      Ethereal, Otherworldly, Dub-hop blasts from the city of love. First Steps marks the premier of BrokenTeaLeafs a Parisian Electronic Artist that specializes in Stuttering rhythms and wonky hip-hop excellence. Hard Hitting and psychedelic, this addicting sound is the hopefully a sign of things to come in the future. The First step on a long and prosperous musical journey.






 

LAKIM/ Lacuna Manti- The Radiant

     Gorgeous ebbs of heavenly sound held down by blips and thumping grooves- The Radiant is an illustrious EP propelling you into airy, beautiful realms. Crafting music you can close your eyes to, and imagine yourself cloud surfing the sky at daybreak. I'm not sure what LAKIM meant by releasing this album under a different alias- perhaps to show us a slightly different approach of his beat making. This direction is more than welcome, providing us with a lovely, 6 track dedication to the heights above. We are the Stars, we are the radiant.

Neo-Safari- EP

     Tropical and playfully gorgeous; Dallas Musician(s?) Neo-Safari releases their wonderfully eclectic debut EP titled what else? EP. Whether it's the Balearic Bounce of the Opener Coastal Drive, the deliciously heavy and funky beat of Nightmare in the Jungle, or reworking other artist's tracks and shaping them into their own wistful creations, this debut displays that these new-comers have a vast arsenal of styles and aren't afraid to try anything. Sizzling Block-Rocking beats to blast in the summer heat. Also Check out their video for Coastal Cruise below- very retro and road-rash esque

Nice Icles- ShiverBurn

        Soothing, Aquatic Dubstep tunes From Nice Icles- an artist from the insanely fresh record label Dagobot. Whether he's using the clattering found-sound drum pulses of Burial and other UK-styled producers, or just laying down  heavy, prolonged synth chords to slowly loom over the track and provide a dense texture- Shiverburn is heading in an exciting direction in bass music; a relaxed but brooding collection of glitchy dub tunes to ponder over instead of just trying to melt your face. Check it out below..

Soulular- Thoughts Float

     Down tempo  Instrumentals made of moody, shifting, ambient sound and spiky electronic beats spreading out into vast sonic terrain. from L.A.'s Soulular, Thoughts Float is  a pensive trip through memory and Reflection.  As you listen, you can't help but feel a placid Emotion drift over you; a sense of welcome melancholy  and nostalgia. Check out this album out if you are in the mood for some retrospection or just need something to spur the imagination on a cloudy day.