Blisspop Presents: Feedback Friday – August 10th, 2018

Here at Blisspop, we aim to show our audience who’s making their mark upon electronic music culture today. We sort through the good and the bad, bringing you the latest sounds. Back at it again with the latest edition of our series, Feedback Friday. This week, our group of Blisspop contributors includes: Alex Rubenstein, Aeron Premo, Justin Barini-Rivers, Yvette Bailhache, and Jonathan Sherman. This week’s music includes tracks by Satin Jackets, Milo Greene remixed by Tensnake, Travi$ Scott, Boston Bun, and VRGL. Check it out below and send us your suggestions for future Feedback Fridays on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Satin Jackets feat. Niya Wells – Primordial:

Yvette Bailhache – I can always depend on Satin Jackets for some summer niceness. I’m loving the coastal sexiness of the beat paired along with the gorgeous vocals & lyrics of Niya Wells. Although I’m not currently lounging by the sea, I can totally imagine myself there while this track is playing. I’m all over this! (9/10)

Aeron Premo – Tim Bernhardt, aka Satin Jackets, has always been a favorite producer of mine as he is a master of highlighting all that is wonderful about the downtempo side of nu-disco. While I thought that a couple of his most recent productions lacked something, “Primordial” is a welcome return to the Satin Jackets sound that we all know and love. Everything about this track is just wonderful – the melody, the flow, Niya Wells’ vocals, and the production style. It is a perfect tune for relaxing on the beach, getting ready to close down the dance floor after a long night of dancing, or sailing on a boat all the while drinking your favorite cocktail. (10/10)

Justin Barini-Rivers – Smooth beats and smooth vocals from this selection. It starts off slow, but it has the disco bassline to keep the groove once the song gains its momentum. Niya Wells carries a lot of the movement on this track allowing the groove to really sit under her. They used the full disco ensemble which makes me so happy. Solid disco track can always pop during the summer hope to hear this rolling through my next pool party. (7.5)

Jonathan Sherman – As a huge fan of Satin Jackets, loved seeing so much disco influence infused into their latest release with Niya Wells. The iconic melodic and electro-pop sound of Satin Jackets combined with traditional down-tempo disco synth and bass influences makes for a phenomenal dance-floor track. This is also one of those tracks that appeals to a wide range of audiences from downtempo, melodic house, soulful house fans to disco and funk aficionados. (9.5/10)

Milo Greene – Move (Tensnake Remix):

Yvette Bailhache – I’m getting New Wave with a touch of glam in this and that is so ok with me. The vocals are dope and they compliment the production perfectly. Nice nostalgic vibes from Tensnake, I would not have thought this was him had I pressed play blindly on this. (8/10)

Aeron Premo – Tensnake has always been one of my favorite producers and DJs, so anytime he releases a new track, remix or edit, all things must pause. I was not familiar with Milo Greene before listening to this track, so this was my first exposure to them. This remix is incredible in so many ways – the Italo bass synth lines, the energetic yet dark beat, the sensuous vocals of Marlana Sheetz. I then took a listen to the original track and while it was a pleasant listen, Marco’s remix really elevated it to a whole new level. (10/10)

Justin Barini-Rivers – Tensnake is back with a lovely remix full of retro vibes. I love the big hit and the width of the bassline. Definitely a big tune with sultry vocals and a clean arrangement. The length is perfect and Tensnake doesn’t over power her vocals yet is able to have a big house tune. I almost wish it was longer so Tensnake could force some more unique sounds on us. (7/10)

Jonathan Sherman – Bringing audiences back in time, Tensnake really takes us back in time with his remix of Milo Greene’s popular indie house track. I really like the use of the 80s style 808 back-beat with a recurring synth that ends in a powerful climax around the third minute of the track. One of Germany’s finest disco producers, this track will definitely rock any dance-floor and is sure to be a big summer hit! (9/10)

Travi$ Scott – STARGAZING:

Yvette Bailhache – I fux with Travis Scott, he is def one of my favorite rappers of “right now.” Flow is tight as always and the beat is cool, but not as dope as that of say the insanely hot “Butterfly Effect, (also on Astroworld). But I’m still feeling it tho. This song actually gets better with every listen. (7.5/10)

Aeron Premo – Travis was quite obviously inspired by psychedelic substances while making this track, because listening to it felt like going on that weird and trippy boat ride from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and instead of ending up at the factory, the last stop is the house on Neibolt Street from “It”. I felt like Pennywise the Clown was screaming at me when those auto-tuned vocals came in. And then around 2:45, it sounded like a completely different song started. I like my hip hop to have focus and a clear message. Sorry, this is just not my bag, baby. (1/10)

Justin Barini-Rivers – I am ready to admit I have no clue what Travis Scott has been up to. Got a simple hip hop beat that feels a little tired. The production level on this simple beat is solid. The work obviously went into working Travis’ vocals in and out of the track. Regardless of my thoughts on this production Travis Scott is destroying this track. I will let this go because with this style of music the most complex instrument should be the human voice. I would play this driving through DC during the summer because you got time to enjoy while your stuck in traffic. (8/10)

Jonathan Sherman – I’ve seen a lot of press surrounding this track lately and what I like most about the track is the various production elements used throughout the track. Combing vocal synth elements with a dynamic back-beat, the track has a lot of cool vocal effects and is quite catchy. Travis Scott had a big year this year with his release Astroworld, so definitely look forward to what more he has in store to release in 2018. (8.5/10)

Boston Bun – Spread Love (Paddington) feat DVNO:

Yvette Bailhache – I’m always down to press play on a Boston Bun track. Not up on this DVNO guy, but there’s something about the pitch of his tone in the beginning that I like. It’s off but somehow on point. It’s a fun dance song although the video is kind of weird. (6/10)

Aeron Premo – On the dance floor and behind the DJ booth, we all need to be spreading love like Paddington Bear, but this track is just odd. The vocal melody is disjointed and the singer sounds slightly drunk. While the beat, bass and ooh-ooh vocal sample are nice qualities, the heavy breathing distracts from the beat and is overpowering. I’m going to take a pass on this one. (2/10)

Justin Barini-Rivers – Coming out with some happy house to catch the summer season before it’s over. Love the human breaths and the low passed bassline. This track is designed to make you dance and it can do just that. I honestly love everything about this track except the arrangement. It’s too repetitive for my taste, but that is ok it does have enough to last in the club. In general Boston Bun doesn’t push too much that has me guessing which is why it gets a low rating. (5/10)

Jonathan Sherman – Last year, Camelphat paved the way for a new idea with their grammy-nominated track “Cola” – combine tech house influences with the resurgence of disco and techno. This year, the next big artist out of this movement is definitely Boston Bun and “Spread Love” really encapsulates this movement by combining a killer tech house beat with a vocal and piano arrangement that is quintessential “Nu Disco.” (9/10)

VRGL – Swang:

Yvette Bailhache – Nice intro, the tempo is curious and I’m drawn in while excited to hear what’s to come. There’s some intergalactic-ness going on but with a nice laid-back balance to it. I like that I can bounce and chill to this at the same time. Not what I’d normally listen to voluntarily but that’s one of the great things about Feedback Friday, it helps you step out of your comfort zone. (7/10)

Aeron Premo – Trap is not one of my favorite genres, so I proceeded with caution before listening to this one. I was pleasantly surprised to hear some elements from other genres that I thought made this track stand out from others in this niche. In particular the church organ and gauzy synth pads. I also liked the laid back production style that is a contrast to the normally hard-edged style common in trap, which could endear the genre to more listeners. Again, not something I would listen to regularly, but it has its nice qualities. (5.5/10)

Justin Barini-Rivers – Found sound in the intro had me from the start. The arrangement speaks to the electronic influences of the track, but the main sections remind me of the lovely tracks that came on the scene early in trap. No fat on this track. Especially compared to most electronic Hip Hop. Smooth sailing through the breaks with some nice drums that keep you going. Well worth a listen if you enjoy music that tows the line. I look forward to hearing more from VRGL. (9/10)

Jonathan Sherman – This track has so much fire to it. First, I really love the melodic house elements, but there’s also a significant amount of track and future bass elements. Second, the transactions are really quite neat. It seems there’s intricate use of a variety of reverse and staccato effects to make seamless drops and transitions between the various song elements. Phenomenal ending that really reminds me of a Steven Spielberg movie! (9/10)

The Winners and Losers:

Satin Jackets feat. Niya Wells – Primordial – 9/10

Milo Greene – Move (Tensnake Remix) – 8.5/10

VRGL – Swang – 7.6/10

Travi$ Scott – STARGAZING – 6.25/10

Boston Bun – Spread Love (Paddington) [feat. DVNO] – 5.5/10