die • ZECHER

Expanding the electronic music horizon, with a review every day. Toronto / London / Singapore

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East India Youth; Bournemouth born Brit, also known as William Doyle is the new producer on the block- well on his way to reinventing dreamy electronica as we typically know it. 

His most famous single to date, "Heaven, How Long" taken off his album "Total Strife" (2014) is atmospheric and captivating. Lush, luxuriant melodies seem to be his trademark - which underscore his suitably muted vocals in the track. Finished with a structured undercurrent of percussion - East india Youth firmly cements his position as 'one to watch' with his restrained cinematic sound. 

Listen If You Like;  Henry Krinkle, Cyril Hahn, Flume. 

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Ripperton; Slick convergence is what comes to mind when one thinks of Swiss house-techno fuser Raphael Ripperton. 

His latest remix of Noir & Hayze's "Angel" is apparent in its complex layering and subtle beat progressions. The vocals underscored by the subtle kicks and delicate flicks of his choice, shift to an upbeat melodic influx that marries house and tech precisely. 

Listen If You Like; Tale of Us, Mano Le Tough, Guy J.  

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Mikron; An Australian duo of 2 brothers, Mikron may be new(er) on the block but are clear rising stars of the dark techno scene. 

Mikron play on listeners' senses with an almost mechanical-inspired movement of their production. Their remix of "Home Music" by Molecule has a distinctly industrial overtone that saturates the darkness of their productions, finished with precisely engineered pockets of icy-funk. 

Listen If You Like; Maelstrom, Gesaffelstein, Airsilk, Clouds

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Richy Ahmed; The benefits of having not one, but two Londoners on a single track can result in anything and everything. Oh but, throw in Hot Creations' innovator and powerhouse, Richy Ahmed you can be sure the final result will be beyond spectacular. 

His rework of Katy B's emotionally provocative original is intense in its own way- and a perfect study in inherent contrasts. Ahmed capitalizes on the track's contrast by keeping strains of Katy's poignant vocals and undercutting them with a deliciously groovy bassline with a slanted techno undertone. 

Listen If You Like; Marc Kinchen, Duke Dumont, Shadow Child, Huxley

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Joel Morgan; Detroit native melds characteristic grit and rough undertones in his techno productions with surgical precision. 

One of his newest releases, "Morph" is unrelentingly captivating in its overt simplicity. A series of layered synths finished with flicks of roughly restrained, muted percussion give the track its credibility as it subtly morphs into a surprising close. 

Listen If You Like; Kerri Chandler, Kevin Over, Derrick May

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Doorly; Hallmark producer and resident Los Angeleno brings funk with impressive flair to his "The Boom Boom Room" EP and other productions. 

A MUST-HAVE on this summer's party playlist, "Ladies Night" is an unrelentingly blend of upbeat vocals and sharply punctuated bassline progression. Added to that, with almost nonchalant flair would be a series of escalating synths that ramp up the pace of the track - perfect for giving dancers a final opportunity to catch their second wind to close out their Ibiza nights. 

Listen If You Like; Guti, Alex Metric, Ben Pearce, Loco Dice

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A music institution, just off Sunset.

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Daniel Curry und Chris Krawall; Hamburg based producers create intensely cinematic house with emotive undertones. 

Their remix of Christopher Young's "Birthplace of the Sandman" practically radiates emotion with its strong instrumentation. The prominent string orchestration sustained with a well-construct beat progression. 

Listen If You Like; ROBOKID, Porter Robinson, Will Heard

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Allure; Listen to Lorris Piasco break the mould of electro-soul with his funky productions that are presently sweeping the Parisian electronic scene. 

"Signature" his newest offering is a testament of harmonic balances with smooth undertones. Edged with a surprise groove structure and slight jazz melodic structure - Allure's experimental transmutation of the boundaries between funk and electronic is everything but unsuccessful. 

Listen If You Like; Daft Punk, Justice, David Keller

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Opale; Spanish and French influences come forth in this Parisian-based duo. Think ambient electronica edged with hints of psychedelic tones.

"Les Champs Magnétiques" is a gorgeously eerie production with graceful sonic drones. Infused with a distinctly ambient undertone and a ruthlessly restrained bassline, Opale intensifies their production while maintaining their sense of balance. 

Listen If You Like; Ryan Hemsworth, Flume, MGMT, The Neighborhood, Passion Pit, Glitch Mob

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Sasha; Multidimensional Brit - songwriter and producer extraordinaire deconstructs tracks giving them his own innovative deep house twist. 

In his remix of London Grammar's hit "Hey Now", he intensifies it with a synth-heavy base. Submerged with bouncy synths and a catchy, distorted bassline, Sasha creates a melody that fuses house and techno that'll intensify this summer's groove. 

Listen If You Like; Huxley, Gold Panda, Maribou State, Subb-An

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Dan Caster; A Berliner who embodies unprecedented skill in blending genres. 

His remix of Coldplay's "Magic" is a testament to his production skill - as he balances Martin's deep vocals with gorgeously constructed synths. Following on, he intensifies the depth of his production with a precisely layered percussion undertone. Not only does he balance the strength of his layering with the intonations of Martin's vocals; but also integrates his deep-house twist with fractured samples of Martin's vocals. 

Listen If You Like; Oliver Koletzki, Gardens of God, Noir, Oliver Schories. 

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Anenon; LA producer Brian Allen Simon is the mastermind behind gorgeously dreamy electronica. 

Think delicately intricate melodies that saturate the opening, which Simon intensifies by introducing a choppy layer of synths. Following that, is a persistent yet harmonically pleasant drums that is complicated with another layer of percussion. Overall, with a complex structure and precisely layering melodic progression, Simon creates musical harmonies of the best kind. 

Listen If You Like; Shigeto, Aspera, Cyril Hahn. 

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GAiA; ... A Swiss quartet from Luzern, GAiA manages to evoke beautifully nostalgic tones with precise layering and unconventional instrumental buildups. 

The track "Colored in: The Flickering" is luxuriantly emotive house. Choppy and rough, GAiA shift into a distinctly complex series of layered synths. Collectively, these buildup to a gorgeous climax supported with an upbeat undercurrent of chaotic percussion. 

Listen If You Like; Mano Le Tough, Tale of Us, Jamie Jones, Kidnap Kid. 

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Benn Finn; Producer and label boss of Finn Records, Brandenburg artist Benn Finn's newest release is his take on upbeat house. 

Released on Der Turnbeutel, "My Answer" begins with a strong, driving beat with an undertone of synths. Sharply punctuated with periodic sonic bursts and edged with an undertone of piano chords, Finn plays havoc with listeners' by flirting with an almost-excessive compilation of melodies (that just work, period).

Listen If You Like; Dusky, Stil Vor Talent, Adam Port. 

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Klangkarussell; Austrian duo, Tobias Rieser and Adrian Held change the tune (HA, see what I did there) for this summer with this wonderfully cheerful little number. 

"Netzwerk" is upbeat house with uplifting synths and precisely layered instrumentation. However, what makes it such a standout would be the surprise inclusion of some of Salif Keita's "Madan" before the track segues back into its hypnotically upbeat melody. The track finishes with  with a distinct twist thanks to some clever strings work, keeping its fresh and fun tone. 

Listen If You Like; Bakermat, M83, Will Saul

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C L N K; Romanian producer CLNK gives us a cheeky preview into upcoming EP "ANTI" with his newest release. 

"Fuck Hype" is rough, driving techno to its core. The track is layered with sharp strings that mirror the unconventional synth-work that punctuates the edgy track progression. Spanning a wide range of tones, "Fuck Hype" is relentlessly tense, playing havoc on listeners' ears with haunting sonics and a grimy static overtone. 

Listen If You Like; Ansome, Scuba, Coni, Clouds.