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.

Disco Fries – Philtrum (Original Mix) [Music Freedom]

This next original jam, “Philtrum”, pronounced…Oh, fudgesicles. Excuse me a moment here.

There he is ^^^

There he is ^^^

(Frantic shuffling of papers off camera with inaudible slurs and obscenities shouted back and forth)

Off-Screen

Chas: Dude, you really dropped the ball on that one.

Jake: We’ll do it live…FUCK IT! WE’LL DO IT LIVE!

Jake: Look, I’ll write it and we’ll do it live! Fucking thing SUCKS!

Chas: Whatever you say, Mr. O’Reilly.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Ahem, as I was just about to say, pronounced “Fill-Trum” (probably), this next little ditty by Nick Ditri & Danny Danger of The Disco Fries is bar none (and we say this quite confidently) one of the filthiest electro house song we have heard thus far in twenty fourteen.

Don’t believe me? Just ask this guy I know. He recently featured “Philtrum” on the latest installment of “Club Life,” his podcast. You may have heard of him…

Tiësto. “Tye-eez-too?”

Am I saying that right?

Yellow Claw – DJ Turn It Up (TIGHTTRAXX & ETC!ETC! Remix) [FREE]

Every once in a great while, which in terms of electronic dance music releases, usually spans a couple of months, there exists a monumental song that vicariously embodies the collective sound of the most popular, universal style at the moment (a great example would be Martin Garrix’s “Animals” from several months back). To us here at Rager Onions, this next track is exactly of the variety we had just mentioned prior to this statement.

Big Room House + Trap = mainstream EDM right now.

We hate to see this because unfortunately, as a result, the two genres have become more watered down than the twenty dollar drinks at your favorite night club (the same club that plays these redundant “bangers”). And we’re not getting drunk off these big room anthems or generic trap songs anymore. It sucks and we hate to say it, but it’s true.

However, with that being said, TighTTRAXX and ETC!ETC!‘s remix to “DJ Turn It Up” by the recently deceased (may he rest in peace) and now idealized producer, Yellow Claw, is an utterly gigantic and surprisingly refreshing version of whats “hot on the streets right now.”

Give thanks to Jose Guerrero of ETC!ETC! and Alextek of TIGHT TRAXX for once again showing us that not all is lost for EDM when it comes to Trap and Big Room. The duos creative coagulation of the two stylistic motifs precipitates beautifully in the trap resemblant introduction and its reappearance during the downtempo section immediately following the first big room break. The two even manage to use that classic, big room “hollow wood block” effect at a BMP more indicative of a standard trap track, we love it slowed down.

Overall, Jose and Alex did a great job of cycling through tempo, mood and brought a ton of energy (and fun) to this remix from our deceased brethren Yellow Claw.

(this is where we pour a 4o out on the curb for YC)