Monstercat 017 – Ascension Ascends the Label Even Further

Over the past two years, we have watched this next label transform from the likes of a promising, transgenre EDM collective with loads of potential into the fierce jungle feline you see before you today.

Monstercat is most certainly where it’s at when discussing labels that have set the tone for the next few years of electronic dance music releases.

How, you ask?

Well, that next part is a bit tricky.

To begin, this Vancouver-based music label has elucidated talents from some of the most unheard of, eclectic groups of musicians in all of dance music. Not only have they championed said undiscovered artists onto the scene, but these new talents have proceeded to swell their fair share of waves in this vastly expanding ocean we affectionately refer to as the “EDM-o-sphere.” A quick glance at the “current roster” on the official Monstercat web page will reveal a staggering number of widely popular producers you may not have necessarily associated with MCat.

7 Minutes DeadAstronautAu5BrakenCase & PointDirectDotEXEDzeko & TorresDroptekFalcon FunkFavrightFractalHaywyreHellburgInsan3lik3KrewellaLets Be FriendsMr FijiwijiNoisestormPIXLPegboard NerdsProject 46, Rameses B, RazihelRogueSouleroSplitbreedStephen WalkingThrottleTristamTut Tut ChildVarien and Vicetone.

(Just to name a few of our favorites.)

However, words will only get us so far. You need to HEAR what we mean.

Without hesitation, the fat cats over at MC have released their 17th compilation LP to date. So far, “Monstercat 017 – Ascension” has garnered attention from every corner of the EDM world, making this their most supported album to date! With a four-hour laundry list of tracks, fantastic production quality throughout, and loads of prodigal EDM producers on top of it all, Monstercat presents to you a release that will only serve to exacerbate their stranglehold on the EDM industry.

Keep it up boys and girls.

9 Brand New Songs That You Need To Hear

According to the internet, a lot of new electronic dance music came out this week.

Exciting! And obviously, this is a must-listen. But we already talked about how epic, sick, dirty, and nasty Nero’s new song “Satisfy” is (click the link dude).

Unless you were on a hiatus from real life this week, you probably noticed that Nero wasn’t the only artist who dropped some fresh jam-sauce this week. That’s right, I said jam sauce.

In fact, there’s quite a spectrum of “jam sauce” to choose from. That’s why I’ve taken precious time out of my precious day to provide you with these precious songs.

Hope you’re happy with yourself.

Ranked in order of how much I liked them (start your own blog), here’s 9 Brand New Songs That You Need To Hear: 

9. Aether | Picture Perfect

Chops got me like “damn son”.

 

8. Lane 8 | Every Night

For lack of a more bro way to say this, ‘Every Night’ is pretty much a 9/10 on the ‘chill scale’.

 

7. Coldplay | Sky Full Of Stars (Bombs Away Bounce Bootleg)
You can’t go wrong with Coldplay vocals (well, sometimes). You can’t go wrong with Bombs Away (well, Melbourne bounce in general). And you certainly cannot go wrong with a free download.
But all three? Now that’s just crazy.

 

6. DotEXE | My New Addiction

I feel inspired to produce my own romantic comedy (featuring Kate Hudson) when I listen to this. But really, the title says it all.

This song is addicting.

Give into the peer pressure.

Everybody’s doing it.

 

5. Adventure Club | Wonder (ANDRU Remix)

‘Wonder’ might be one of the best songs of the year. So it’s no wonder why a trap remix would be any different.

 

4. Favright | Taking Over (feat. Cassandra Kay)

Another monster jam from one of Monstercat’s finest.

 

3. White Rabbit | Let’s Be Friends (REMIX) 

Remixing your own song is bold. Then again, so is naming yourself “Let’s Be Friends” when you create raging dub step melodies. Everything that Let’s Be Friends does is bold and simply bodacious.

And I love everything about it.

 

2. Gabriel Rios | Gold (Thomas Jack Remix)

Remember earlier when I said ‘Every Night’ is a 9/10 on the ‘chill scale’.

Well, this song is like a 9.5, out of 9.5.

 

1. Porter Robinson – Sad Machine

I’ve listened to this song 13 times today.

Do I need to say more?

Monstercat 015 – Outlook [Artist Compilation]

Everybody’s favorite Canadian label is back at it again, compiling another showcase featuring a slew of the up and coming talent Monstercat Media has to offer. We have said it before, but we might as well say it again. Monstercat Records has a knack for unearthing some of the most progressive and undiscovered EDM artists we have the pleasure of stumbling upon. Thus proving yet again that independent labels (especially given today’s EDM climate) possess “the ability to reshape the music industry landscape, while [still] supporting up and coming musicians”.

Monstercat’s outlook on their role in the electronic dance music community is certainly something to be admired. While the larger labels bank off of seasoned producers guaranteed to rake in the cash with each successive release, Monstercat Media nobly adheres to the road less traveled, championing an audience for those producers hiding in the weeds. Speaking of Outlook, that just so happens to be the name of their 15th compilation release. You see? It all comes full circle here.

Notable tracks from this spectacular, two and half hour showcase of EDM prowess include: Rogue‘s out-of-this-world release “From the Dust” (which is featured on his brand new EP), glitch-hop sensation Haywyre‘s “Back and Forth” from his A Song Per Week series, and Hellberg, Teqq and Taylr Renee‘s massive progressive house smash “Air” (we are particularly infatuated with this one).

To be completely honest, selecting a couple tracks we especially like is total bull shit. Every single track on Monstercat’s release of Outlook is worthy of it’s place on the compilation. Without those furry felines hailing from Vancouver, we would never have been introduced to artists like Favright, Rameses B, Mr Fijiwiji, Insan3Lik3, Project 46, 7 Minutes Dead, Stephen Walking, Fractal, Televisor, Eminence and Soulero (who all happen to have at least one jam on this CD).

Support on iTunes: monster.cat/1dgCwjx
Support on Bandcamp: monster.cat/IfQHqo
Support on Amazon: monster.cat/1dZuojR
Support on Google Play: monster.cat/188HEUU