Well, my apologies for not blogging in the the past two weeks. I’ve recently moved to New York City for my internship and what better way to celebrate my stay in this wonderful city than with a Gosteffects single!

So check it out Gosteffect’s first original track which will be released on Beatport on February 14th.

If you’re also in the states you can catch Gosteffects on tour:

Gosteffects – Slave to the Sweat [Out 2/14/2012 on AFTERLIFE] by Gosteffects

One of my biggest regrets was not discovering Bag Raiders until early last year. I must say that their self-titled album is still one of my top 5 favourite albums of all-time. If you haven’t heard their name before, I’m sure you’ve heard their single, ‘Shooting Stars’ in commercials to the ending credits of How To Make it in America (RIP). Earlier this week these Australian duo’s released their monthly mixtape. Enjoy and definitely check out more songs from these guys!

Bag Raiders Monthly January Edition 2012 by bagraiders

Tracklist:

More – Nils Frahm
Baby I Got It – Miguel Campbell
I Can’t Sleep At Night – Daniel Bortz
U Got Me – Lee Foss
Tobago – Jonas Rathsman
Akabu – Life Is So Strange
Rock Me – Russ Yallop
Want You In My Soul (Hot Toddy dub) – Lovebirds
See Blind Through (Mic Newman remix) – Canyons
Love In Me (Maceo Plex remix) – Laura Jones
Mhm, Yeah Yeah – Lazaro Casanova
Home (Tim Green Remix) – M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade
Snooze 4 Love – Todd Terje
Nightwish – BS1
Space Ballad (TEED Remix) – Fur Coat
Better (Arto Mwambe Remix) – Viadrina
Hurting (Tensnake Dub Remix) – Friendly Fires
Get Together – Rene Amesz
Whipped Cream – Homework

- Constance

Enrique Iglesias – Naked (Trevor Simpson Remix)

- Constance

Just yesterday A-Trak released his January 2012 mix from his live recording on Sirius XM Radio. Make sure to keep an eye out on him as he is currently doing a North American tour – stopping in Toronto at the Hoxton on February 9.

In the meantime, check out his mix below as well as a video preview of how his show went last year in New York at Madison Square Garden. Must of been a blast.

Fool’s Gold Radio – January 2012 Mix by A-Trak

Tracklist: 

1. A-Trak & Zinc “Stingray” (A-Trak Intro Edit) (Fool’s Gold)
2. Hijack “Pudding”
3. Obi Blanche “72 Hours” (NT89 Remix) (Bang Gang)
4. Sacha Robotti “The Major” (Dirtybird)
5. George FitzGerald “Shackled” (Hotflush Recordings)
6. Beyonce “End Of Time” (Claude VonStroke remix) (Columbia)
7. T “Gangster” (Snapped)
8. CSY & Stripes “Speak Easy” (Body Work)
9. Jack Beats “Make The People” (Dubs for Clubs)
10. Bobble “Zefix” (Jan Driver remix)(Guys N Dolls)
11. I:Cube “Transpiration” (Versatile)
12. Para One feat. Surkin “Compute” (Marble)
13. Mount Kimbie “Before I Move Off” (Star Slinger Remix) (Hotflush Recordings)
14. La Fuente “Bang Bang” (Mixmash)
15. Bart B More & Tai “Nobody Canna Cross It” (TWR72 Remix) (Secure Recordings)
16. Astronomar “Back to the Beat” (Jeffries)
17. DJ Naughty “Dangerzone” (Kicks & Snares)
18. MJ Cole “Red and Black” (One-Armed Bandit remix)
19. Justice “On ‘n’ On” (Brodinski remix) (Ed Banger)
20. Drexciya “Water Walker” (Andrew Ross Edit) (Submerge)
21. Bazar “Hard To Find” (Maceo Plex Funk Drop) (Ellum Audio)
22. Gramophonedzie “Number One” (Guesthouse)
23. House Republic “Nuggetz” (Ego)
24. Little Boots “Shake” (Crazy P remix) (679)

- Constance

Iggy Azalea – Ignorant Art

Iggy Azalea – Hello feat. Joe Moses

Iggy Azalea – My World

Imogen Heap – Just for Now (Gosteffects & Rule of Eight “I’m God” Remix) by Gosteffects

- Constance

I must start off by saying I was rather disappointed with my personal selection of my favourite albums of 2011. In my opinion I felt that this year for music went through a huge wave of different trends and hits. And those trends were both good and bad. Obviously, it is pretty much impossible for me to listen to every genre that there is out there, so I try my best to listen to everything I can.. when I can.

Some of the great things that happened this year was the success of many producers and DJ’s that had finally gotten the recognition they deserved. And the way that live music can be experienced at any where and at anytime. With the help of websites such as Turntable.FM and Boiler Room, more and more fans have the opportunity to hear and see what their favourite DJ’s/producers are playing at live shows. Another great event that happened throughout this year is the press and documentation of music trends and collaboration. Earlier this year we saw the release of The Electro Wars - a documentary focused on how the online music world has evolved as a genre and as well as the business side of it. And just a couple of weeks ago we saw the interview clips for the upcoming film Re:Generation The Music Project featuring various collaborations between artists of different genres.

I feel that the downside to this year’s music was how certain genres exploded onto the mainstream group and the creativity of some genres such as Dubstep is no longer what it was. I’ve read several of articles on the history behind it, and I’ve seen this genre from when it just hit the North American music scene. Now, producers such as Skrillex are selling out shows as much as any other popular musicians on the top 40′s chart. Music is music, but I feel that some people are just throwing stuff on top of other music samples and labeling it ‘X genre’… when in reality it’s pure junk.

Overall, I’m not TOO upset about these albums, but I wish I had more time this year to listen to what other musicians had to offer through an album… and not just singles and remixes.

10. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

I’m sure many Coldplay fans would agree that this album felt a bit forced, as in it wasn’t what the band wanted as a group naturally. It felt that Mylo Xyloto was pushed by the band’s record label to just produce another album.

9. Lady Gaga – Born This Way

Despite her massive success in the past three years, I must say I was SUPER disappointed in this album. Yes there were several great tracks, but the whole album just made no sense as a concept. It sounded like one big messy mixtape inspired from different musical eras.

8. Adele – 21

Adele has put so much passion onto every single, it’s definitely a beautiful album to listen to when things isn’t just going right. I’m sure the millions of fans who bought her album would agree.

7. The Strokes – Angles

Some great tracks on Angles but there were many other singles that made me wonder how they managed to put this album together. This album’s sound is definitely a bit different compared to their older albums.

6. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia/Ultra

This whole album is just purely beautiful. From singing about Coachella to sampling Coldplay and MGMT. This 24 year old has already earned writing credits from John Legend, Beyonce and even Justin Beiber. You’ve probably seen Frank Ocean in Odd Future, but this mixtape is completely different from what he might sound like when he’s with Tyler, The Creator. Definitely a must listen if you haven’t had the chance to check it out. Ocean is listed as one of the top musicians to look out for in 2012.

5. Theophilus London – Timez Are Weird These Days

LISTEN TO: All Around The World, Stop It, Wine and Chocolate

 

I was absolutely a huge fan of Theophilus London in 2010 and finally he released a full-length album this year. I couldn’t get enough of it. He got even more recognition because of HTMIIA (RIP) as his single “I Stand Alone” was featured in one of their promotional trailers. Theophilus London will stop by Toronto on February 17th at Wrongbar.

4. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne

LISTEN TO: No Church In The Wild (feat. Frank Ocean), Lift Off (feat. Beyonce), Why I Love You (feat. Mr. Hudson)

I must admit, when I first heard this album I was kind of disappointed…but it was definitely one of those albums that grew on me throughout the months of listening to it at parties, events and just when I needed some sort of ‘hype’. Musically, they had great collaborations and major sampling from various electronic/dubstep artists such as Cassius (‘Why I Love You’) and Flux Pavillion (‘Who Gon Stop Me’). I guess when two major hip-hop artist collaborate.. it won’t be a let down.

3. Kaskade – Fire & Ice

LISTEN TO: Turn It Down, Ice (feat. Dan Black), Room for Happiness (feat. Skylar Grey)

I have always been a huge fan of Kaskade, he is one of the producers who have been working endlessly on this genre from the beginning. And because of the recent trends in Electro he’s finally getting huge recognition by everyone. I definitely loved the collaborations in Fire & Ice, mainly because most of the guest vocalists are still up and coming musicians who need this great exposure. Check this album and his previous ones to see where I’m coming from.

2. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

LISTEN TO: Intro (feat. Zola Jesus), New Map, Claudia Lewis

Absolutely speechless. M83 had surprised me. I heard Midnight City and my first impression was “just another one hit wonder”. It wasn’t until I checked out the entire album and was 100% blown away by it. From the short instrumental tracks to the big band sounding singles with synths and sax, it’s one of those inspirational albums that makes you appreciate music in a whole different level. Anthony Gonzalez mentioned many times in his interviews that Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins played a huge role in the sound of Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming. It’s great to hear inspirations from 90s’ bands mixed into the current trends of music. I have so much more respect for a band like M83 because this two disc, 22 track, hour long album had the ability to make anyone feel a mix of various emotions by simply just listening.

1. Foster the People – Torches

LISTEN TO: Houdini, Waste

Foster the People has become one of those bands that blew up in the span of less than a year. I remember listening to their single ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ in an Entourage episode back in 2010. And it wasn’t until the summer of 2011 that they hit the radio waves with that same song. Now they’re selling out shows across the globe and despite their popularity, they did earn it no matter what. They are the perfect example of how successful bands can become with the help of music blogs/aggregators and music supervisors. Most of their success came through sending their EP to music licensing companies to air on television shows. And because of more hype from blogs, it instantly led them to a record deal. FTP has only been together for two years, so I hope their next album won’t be a let down.

Honorable Mentions:

Metronomy – The English Riviera

Feist – Metals

Bombay Bicycle Club – A Different Kind of Fix

- Constance

This four minute minimix is just a sample of what to expect in January 2012 when the first EP from OLIVER drops on January 16.

Vaughn Oliver (U-Tern) is one of Vancouver’s top-tier purveyors of cutting edge disco sleaze. Oliver Goldstein (aka Oligee) is a San Fernando Valley native and lifelong beat whisperer, a virtuosic overlord of third millennium romantifunk. Together they form OLIVER (one duo-riffic title!) a group built to take arms against a sea of sonic trouble.

Tracklist:

Oliver – Dirty Talk (Original Mix)
Oliver – Dirty Talk (Punks Jump Up Remix)
Oliver – Dirty Talk (Black Van Remix)
Oliver – Dirty Talk (Wax Motif remix)
Oliver – Walk With Me

Oliver – Dirty Talk (Minimix)

He’s back again, Nowegian Recycling just sent me his brand new mash-up featuring 8 different artists. Check it out, it’s a must listen!

Norwegian Recycling – Good Feeling

Tracklist:

1. Katy Perry – The One That Got Away
2. Coldplay – Fix You
3. David Guetta feat. Usher – Without You
4. Avicii – Levels
5. Black Eyed Peas – The Time
6. Britney Spears – Hold It Against Me
7. Britney Spears – Till The World Ends
8. Bryan Adams – Summer Of ’69
9. Chris Brown – Yeah 3x

- Constance Chan

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all the readers who are stopping by Room-Noise.

Here’s a roundup of some Christmas songs and videos for your listening pleasure. Let’s just say, Kaskade should just make an entire Christmas album.

Kaskade – Still Still Still

Frank Sinatra – Mistletoe And Holly (Kaskade Mix)

By Kaskade

Bing Crosby – White Christmas (Kaskade Mix)

By Kaskade

Check out this hilarious skit made by my good friends at The ElEmEh Show:

Video premiere of Skrillex – Ruffneck

Special thanks to Kathy for sending me the Kaskade tracks!

- Constance