Relentless Beats’ Staff Picks: EDM Love Songs
February 14, 2020
February 14, 2020
Say Hello to Leap96, the Collaborative Project from ALRT & Sam Silver
The electronic music industry is absolutely booming. The dance market is currently worth over $7 billion, major festivals across the globe are selling out in a moment’s notice, and many DJs are achieving super-celeb status. What does this mean for the upcoming artist? Through platforms like SoundCloud, MixCloud, YouTube and Spotify, it’s become easier than ever to share your music with the masses, allowing industry trends to be driven by the fans in a way it hasn’t been previously. It’s been said that good music starts in the underground and finds its way to the surface. One way or another, each of the artists listed below have found a way to rise to the surface and stand out as an Artist to Watch in 2020.
Heather Kupka, Chief Editor – Phoenix, AZ
Rome in Silver: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
I have a hard time describing Rome in Silver’s sound to others, and I think that’s why I like him so much. Born Vinny Pisciotta, Rome in Silver is currently based out of California and his music is as fluid as the beach waves. He escapes the confines of genres, flowing between melodic bass, house, trap, glitchy dub and more. His debut EP, Spirituality, landed on UZ’s label in 2018, and he’s since supported acts like Taska Black and CloZee on tour, who states she loves his music so much that she’s “played at least one of his songs in all my sets for the past 1.5 years.” His ability to exploit the element of surprise, always switching it up and using unorthodox arrangements and productions, makes him standout amongst his peers. 2020 is looking to be a huge year for the upcoming producer. You can find him on the 10th anniversary Electric Forest lineup and CloZee’s upcoming tour. Keep your eye on this Artist to Watch!
Amanda Milovich, Lead Writer – Scottsdale, AZ
Qlank: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
2019 was taken by storm with Griz and Subtronics’ hard hitting collab “Griztronics,” but for me, what really made the song was up and coming producer Qlank’s subtle remix. This is one of those true hidden gems that can only be found on SoundCloud–that’s how you know it’s a bop. He takes what was already a dance-evoking, party-starter tune and turned up the BMP that leaves not a single body sedentary on the dance floor. Once I heard this, I was hooked. Song after song hits different. He’s high energy and probably the best thing I’ve found on the cloud in awhile. With songs on Malaa’s label, Confessions, and Dr. Fresch’s Prescription records, I’m not the only one who believes in his sound. If he’s not on your radar, he needs to be. You can bank on Qlank for the bangers.
Courtney Longhurst, Lead Writer – Phoenix, AZ
MASTERIA: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
I remember writing about MASTERIA a few months back and saving several of his songs, completely taken aback by his style. I was surprised to learn how little known he was, which is why he’s my 2020 Artist to Watch. Hailing from Detroit, MASTERIA debuted in 2018 on Tchami’s Confession label with his Darkness EP. His dark and edgy Bass House sound has already garnered attention from artists like Alesso, KSHMR, Destructo, AC Slater, Drezo, Wax Motif, and more. He’s been pumping out new music the last couple of years and it won’t be long until everyone knows his name. Keep your eye on this one in the coming year!
Grace Fell, Lead Writer – Tucson, AZ
Canabliss: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/canablisss
Canabliss has quickly made a hefty imprint on the bass world in her three short months on SoundCloud. Already she’s boasted support for Troyboi and Peekaboo, and her track “Crique” has garnered attention from Rezz. The way that she’s already marketed herself and the dedication she gives to her fast-amassing discography has launched her near the spotlight in impressive timing in a way that I think makes her an artist to watch for 2020.
Liz Small, Staff Writer – Tempe, AZ
Voliik: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
There are so many underground producers who are taking the scene by storm, but if there’s one artist who I truly believe everyone should be looking out for, it’s Voliik. His unique style has gotten attention from artists like Zed’s Dead and Seven Lions who have included his songs on their official playlists. His songs have been played live by countless artists and in 2020 I have a feeling we will be seeing his name on lineups. Voliik’s latest release, “Dissever,” is a perfect example of his talent and unconventional sound design. The melodic elements during the song’s break and intro juxtapose Voliik’s signature gritty, industrial bass and the complexity throughout the song is unparalleled. One of my personal favorite songs from Voliik is “Back Up,” released in 2018, which combines freeform bass with mid-tempo. The effortless flow that “Back Up” has is remarkable, especially when considering the opposing basses and sounds that make up the drop. While Voliik hasn’t release anything yet this year, I believe 2020 will be a big year for him. His musical skill and talent in sound design is astonishing and I highly recommend listening to his extensive library if you want to hear the future of electronic music.
Calvin Witmer Jr., Staff Writer – Mesa, AZ
DROELOE: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Dutch DJ duo DROELOE are quickly taking the world by storm with their beautiful production, artistic influences, and magical sound. Being amazing creators of future bass and electronic music, DROELOE’s incredible talent stands out. With legendary collaborations on their impressive resume, like their work with Zeds Dead, Gryffin and San Holo, DROELOE continues to rise in the industry and shows no signs of slowing down, hence why I chose them as my Artist(s) to Watch in 2020. Their tour this year is set to pass through several countries including Hungary, Canada, and the US, as their music further becomes an international delight. Definitely keep an eye on these guys, this year is sure to be their best yet.
Alexandra Myers, Staff Writer – Phoenix, AZ
Lucii: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
After careful consideration of all the amazing up and coming artists, especially women, in the scene, my Artist to Watch in 2020 is Lucii. Making her appearance on planet Earth back in 2017, she has been steadily creating a unique blend of music full of dreamy lush vocals layered on top of whopping bass that makes us all go wub. She coins her freeform dubstep “Space Bass” and the term couldn’t be more accurate for her extraterrestrial masterpieces. Releasing on LE Distribution before becoming the first woman signed to Liquid Stranger’s Wakaan, she’s taking over bass heads one drop at a time.
With only a handful of official releases under her belt, I’m really excited to see what this alien goddess can turn out next. On SoundCloud, she’s released a few mixes that truly have no mercy for our necks and from social media, we see future collabs with Champagne Drip and Point Blank. She’s played at festivals like Ubbi Dubbi, Bass Canyon and Wakaan, accompanied Liquid Stranger, Dirt Monkey, and Bear Grillz on their tours, and has some upcoming shows that are about to invade our entire minds so we can think of nothing but Lucii. Her down to Earth attitude and tenacity to connect with her fans makes me think she’s here to stay. So, make some room for the Queen of Space Bass, Lucii the Alien.
Delainey Rab, Staff Writer – Phoenix, AZ
Floret Loret: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
When thinking about an Artist to Watch in 2020, Floret Loret was instantly in my top few picks. This up and coming bass producer from Florida, full name Fernando Loret de Mola, has been creating magical gardens of sound for a few years now, but the past year he has been truly blossoming! With influences ranging from Flume and Medasin, to sumthin sumthin and G Jones, his sound is a unique blend of fresh melodic bass and grimey experimental bass. Floret Loret has had some awesome opportunities pop up in 2019, including opening for huge names like Zeds Dead, Space Jesus, and Ekali at Deadbeats Boca Raton, and performing on an art cart at EDC Orlando. The highlights of his discography are two lush and electrifying EPs from the past year titled Tangled Roots and Secluded Garden, which was released via Deadbeats. I
am loving the direction Floret Loret is taking his music and I definitely will be keeping him on my experimental bass radar in 2020!
Monica Goob, Staff Writer – Glendale, AZ
Lucati: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Tech house mastermind Lucati is the Artist to Watch in 2020. His career has already started to take off in previous years. His latin-influenced groovy house beats and downright funky tunes are not to be slept on. He has been featured in sets from house superstars like Tchami, Malaa, Shiba San, and Claude VonStroke, just to name a few. He also started Kolme Records in 2018 with his pal Dateless. His name is being added to a variety of lineups and 2020 is looking promising for his career. “All About House,” “Like This,” and “DMs” are good songs to check out if you have never heard his music before, but trust me, you will want to listen to them all!
Alex Novotny, Staff Writer – Milwaukee, WI
SWARM: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swarm-music
In 2019, Brandon Carroll, better known as SWARM, released an exquisite EP, several sensational singles, and many ‘Nightmares,’ or unofficial remixes, on SoundCloud. In addition to these accomplishments, he has received a surplus of support from fellow artists including Varien, Lektrique, and Sullivan King. As a matter of fact, Carroll accompanied King for a good portion of his Thank You For Raging tour, which began in October of last year and is still ongoing. In 2020, one can expect to see even bigger and better successes from the man known as SWARM. With pitch-black bass, heavy metal influence, gorgeous orchestrations, and a faction of fans fanning the flames, there is only one direction for SWARM to go–down, in history!
