Tracks That’ll Keep You Warm Until Decadence NYE
December 18, 2024
December 18, 2024
Decade of Decadence: Headliners of the Week
2024 was an incredible year. A year full of epic releases, new artist discoveries, and some of the best live sets I’ve ever seen. New genres and collaborations rocked me to my core and expanded my music taste. I also had the honor of meeting several artists that I admire at after-show meet and greets. Writing for Relentless Beats has helped me better understand the EDM genre while testing my ear for music and sound elements. In celebration of such a groundbreaking year for EDM, I decided to compile a list of the tracks that had the biggest impact on me. And consistently made my replay list. ENJOY!
“Rhythm of Life” – Zingara and Steller (feat. Maurice Brown)
What happens when rising stars Zingara and Steller combine their talents? PURE MAGIC! “Rhythm of Life” combines the sounds of these two artists and gives me chills every time that I listen to it. It is a euphoric and cerebral journey through time and sound. Meditative and HEAVY all at once. Supersonic waves cut through the atmospheric beat, as a choir chants in the background. Mystical flute effects add to the meditative vibe of the track. The drops are full of massive walls of bass that fold into themselves. Glistening stardust consistently rains down during the track’s runtime. Chunky, liquified drums effortlessly roll along with shifting beat and tempo. Special guest Maurice Brown gives the track a jazzy twist with his soaring trumpet contributions. Beautifully contrasting with the heavier elements of the song. While adding extra melody to the track’s atmospheric nature. There are enough buzzes and wonks to satisfy EDM connoisseurs and newcomers alike. A trippy track to grace your Replay Playlist. Zingara and Steller are two of my favorite artists and I welcome (and highly recommend) this collaboration. “DANCE TO THE RHYTHM OF LIFE!”
Connect with Steller: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Connect with Zingara: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | SoundCloud
Connect with Maurice Brown: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
“Hash Slinging Slasher” – GHENGAR
“Hash Slinging Slasher” is a SpongeBob inspired powerhouse track by Ghastly’s alter ego GHENGAR. This track is much heavier than my usual fare, but I cannot argue with results! The experimental track samples a bit from “Graveyard Shift” in which Squidward tries (and succeeds) to scare SpongeBob with a fictitious story about a spatula-handed apparition. Listing signals that give away the presence of the fry cook ghost. “Hash Slinging Slasher” uses its source material wisely. Emphasizing the terror that SpongeBob feels in reaction to Squidward’s joke.
Earth-shattering drums, heavy metal guitar riffs, and creepy wails start off “Hash Slinging Slasher” with a BANG. Squidward’s distorted “HASH SLINGING SLASHER” cries lead into eerie, ectoplasmic drops. The bass is merciless and the drums are relentless. Moving at ever-shifting tempos. From slow and lumbering to LIGHTNING FAST. Explosion sound effects and clashing swords add to the intensity of the track. The last forty seconds of the track are a downtempo paradise with spiraling choppy wubs. “Hash Slinging Slasher” is absolutely BONKERS and contains lots of hidden easter eggs. The sample is perfectly spliced with the intense instrumentals. Used sparingly enough to add a storytelling element without being distracting. The production is prioritized. Creating a thrilling and horrifying track. I highly recommend listening to this while watching the YouTube visualizer. It adds a whole new level of scariness to the experience. Putting yourself in the shoes of our absorbent friend SpongeBob. Seeing this live at The Van Buren was definitely a highlight of 2024. One of the wildest concert experiences that I have ever had. The whole room was screaming and head banging in unison. Tracks like this one represent what EDM is all about. Connection, Creativity, and Experimentation. Be on the lookout for flickering lights and green slime oozing from your walls.
“DUDE… CAN I HAVE SOME KETCHUP?”
Connect with Ghengar: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Ahhh yes. The track that first introduced me to GorillaT. As a longtime LSDREAM fan, I was very excited for the EP that this song is on. Little did I know that I was about to discover a new favorite artist. “LFG” perfectly melds the plampy, intergalactic sound of LSDREAM with GorillaT’s wonky primate stylings. This release is a psychedelic rollercoaster ride from start to finish. The song begins with funky synth waves and subtle claps. Digital snow flutters down while the elements gradually build. Then the floodgates open! Sending the listener down a kaleidoscopic wormhole of sound. GorillaT’s wubby ape-like production comes in at full force, with LSDREAM’s plampy drum effects and rainbow bubbles backing him up. Low ended bass, rhythmic clicks, and effective scratches break apart the track segments. The fuzzy bass in “LFG” is perfect for cruising down the highway with friends. GorillaT’s primate screeches return, changing in tone and tempo. “LFG” then slows down and is overtaken by LSDREAM’s patented bubbles and metallic ringing as the funky synth returns. Alarms blare while the drum effects increase in speed. Leading to an extended BRRRRRR effect that leads into a squeaky primate breakdown, courtesy of GorillaT. Morphing and rolling into itself. The final BRRRR is quite choppy, complete with a “MOSHI MOSHI” call out. LSDREAM’s thick sound waves dance in tow with GorillaT’s cries. The track then glitches out before fading back into the intro. What a RUSH! “LFG” is a perfect collaboration and builds on the talents of the creators. Their styles clash at times, and work together at others. Creating an intricate final product that is a great introduction to both artists.
Fun Fact: I was listening to this on my over-ear headphones while waiting to get off a plane. The entire cabin stared at me as I head bobbed to the infectious groove of “LFG.”
Connect with GorillaT: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
Connect with LSDREAM: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
“Feel It” – ALLEYCVT
ALLEYCVT has been on a roll in 2024! She has released banger after banger, went on her second headlining US tour, and played internationally. Her output consistently blows expectations out of the water, and “Feel It” is no exception. ALLEYCVT’s music always has a strong effect on me, but this one hit DIFFERENT. Everything is cranked up to eleven! The vocals and lyrics are haunting and hit harder than ever. The production is seamless and the drops are some of her heaviest. The instrumentals during the verse are as majestic as they are menacing. Bass bubbles under the surface (and ALLEYCVT’s vocals) just waiting to break free. Something about the instrumentals and lyrics is very claustrophobic. This feels like an intentional creative decision and further increases the song’s impact. ALLEYCVT’s need to break free appears to be fighting with her desire to “Feel It All.” This internal conflict is woven into the entire song. Creating an intense listening experience. ALLEYCVT’s usual bright undertones even sound dark in this one. The drops are unrelenting, with the final one being the most brutal. The last drop is a multilayered tornado wrecking everything in its path. Concluding with the ominous lyrics “It’s only getting worse…” “Feel It” is ALLEYCVT’s rawest and most vulnerable track to date. Representing her sonic and thematic evolution as an artist. Quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I celebrated my birthday at an ALLEYCVT show and saw this live for the first time on the rail. It was an unforgettable experience and a definite 2024 highlight.
“TELL ME CAN YOU FEEL IT?!”
Connect with ALLEYCVT: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
“Poison” – OKAYVAL
Apple Music recommended this track to me back in February and I was immediately HOOKED. I had never heard OKAYVAL’s music before and this was quite the first impression! The track begins on a haunting note, with lyrics like “There’s something in the water. I feel it taking over me” and “My heart has been destroyed and I know that you’ve enjoyed it. Watching me sip your poison.” With a beat that is like a moonlit swim. The beat rises and falls before giving way to a sharp bassline. The drums build up and drop the listener into an addictive, bouncing groove. This is tech-house at it’s finest! “Poison” is also extremely precise and well-layered. Perfectly blending dark lyrics and a groovy beat. The way this track bounces hits every time. I cannot get enough of the chorus and sing along to it constantly. I listen to this track multiple times a week and it only hits harder as time goes on. OKAYVAL has since become one of my favorite producers and I recommend her to all of my dance music loving friends.
“And I.. Don’t know what’s happening. How did it come to this? I saw danger on your lips. And I took a sip.”
This song struck me in a way that has been hard (if not impossible) to replicate. Finding this track through an Apple Music recommendation caught me off guard and introduced me to an incredible artist. OKAYVAL has increased her Instagram following from 1k to 56k since I first heard “Poison” in February and it has been fun to watch! She has received co-signs from artists like NOSTALGIX, Laidback Luke, and Armin Van Buuren. Her work ethic has taken her far and I cannot wait to see what she does next!
Connect with OKAYVAL: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud
