Kyle Mest

EP Review: En Amor – DrewsThatDude

Today HW&W Recordings released DrewsThatDude’s EP En Amor, a project on which it seems like he chose to remain comfortable rather than seriously straining any creative muscles. En Amor feels relaxed and some tracks not only sound similar to others songs within the EP, but also songs produced over a year ago. “Water” is the more upbeat, [continued]
EP Review: Rose – et aliae

Cascine released et aliae’s debut EP Rose this past week, and just like its namesake, it wraps a multi-layered emotional message in a graceful charming package. Unlike her debut track “Baby” on Ryan Hemsworth’s Secret Songs, here there is a clear sense of identity, character and style. Rose stands out for et aliae’s comfortability with [continued]
Essentials: “Sharpness (Kaytranada Edit)” – Jamie Woon

Kaytranada is dolling out some much needed funk and jazz sounds to 2016 with this edit of Jamie Woon’s “Sharpness”. From the first note I suspected I might get thrown back into the Windows XP background by the beat of The Internet’s “Girl”; I wouldn’t have minded that since that song is amazing, but I’m pleased [continued]
Essentials: “All My Friends (Sevnth Remix)” – Snakehips ft. Tinashe

Sevnth’s most recent remix is of Snakehips’s “All My Friends” and he’s managed to turn a track I found a disappointment into something I can enjoy. In the original, I expected something I’d really be into since I like Tinashe, Chance the Rapper, and Snakehips all individually. To be fair, the track does have some great individual [continued]
A Day In The Life: Kyle Mest

Our newest series, A Day In The Life, unpacks the raw passion our writers have for music. Intricately permeating every moment of our day, we dissect and detail the ways in which music guides us as people. I carry a few pairs of cheap earbuds at all times. I don’t see a point in getting something [continued]
Essentials: “Back It Up” (DrewsThatDude Remix) – THEY.

DrewsThatDude has released his first remix of the year and it’s serious wind-fuel. THEY’s “Back It Up” already heavily features wavy synths, altered vocals and a slower beat, so I at first wondered how much DrewsThatDude would even change since that’s already his style. He mainly exaggerates what’s already there and overflows the soundscape with [continued]
Essentials: “Honest” – Koji.

This may come off as a bit shady, but I think Abhi//Dijon is better remixed; Sángo’s remix of “Wait” already convinced me and now Koji. has transformed Abhi//Dijon’s “Honest” into a track that actually manages to capture my attention, while complimenting his delightfully gentle and sincere voice. I’ve admired Abhi//Dijon’s vocals since I first heard [continued]
Essentials: “F.L.O.R” – Sángo

It’s impossible to listen to Sángo without appreciating the Brazilian influence in his music, and “F.L.O.R” is no different. In fact it might be even more apparent since Basement Jaxx already brought Airto Moreira’s “Samba de Flora” into the realm of London house music with “Samba Magic” back in 1996. The piano and percussion lines in [continued]
Essentials: “Cute Face” – Ian Ewing

This coming Saturday, Too Future has organised a showcase of Noh Life Music Group and Blvnt Records at Chicago’s Canvas called Shangri-Lah. Blvnt Records posted a small compilation of free downloads to preview the event. While all three tracks have me envious of anyone in Chicago, Ian Ewing’s “Cute Face” is by far my personal [continued]
Essentials: “Go Get Her” – Mr. Carmack, Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch

Mr. Carmack, Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch gifted the internet yesterday with a collaboration overflowing in relaxing vibes. This past year, each artist has individually produced some great music: in August, Jordan Rakei released the smooth soulful Groove Curse EP; that same month, Tom Misch released Beat Tape 2, a collection of both funky and chill tracks; in [continued]