Written by: Mario R. Martin “Electronica sucks!” We’ve all heard it. Hell, at some point, we may all have felt it. But every once in a while, you hear, ahem, sorry…every once in a while you feel electronica in your heart and soul.
Do you remember the first time you heard “Firestarter” by Prodigy, “Around The World” by Daft Punk or “South Side” by Moby? Sure you do. Now those are just the tracks that the mainstream allows you to hear. Regardless, electronica is one of those genres of music that evolves more than guitar bands. Maybe it’s the technology and its self-awareness within the genre that makes it flourish as one of the types of music that still sells through. How? The world has no idea, but it’s grateful it exists.
And since every once in a while there’s some music that truly moves the masses, it’s only fair to put the guitars to the side for a while, and expose some of the best in electronica coming down the pike. First off is Costa Music.
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Costa Music - “Lighter Subjects”Label: Stilll Records
Rating: 4 Guns
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Joseph Costa’s previous efforts with L’Altra were moody neo-pop non sequitors filled with sexual tensions between exes. With the debut of Costa Music, only the ex has been let go. While some may consider this repetitious, others may go deeper to find the furthest from “lighter subjects” on Joseph Costa’s first solo effort.
“Lighter Subjects” strays from the ambient nature of L’Altra, while keeping with its dark and androgynous soundtrack. While “Subjects” is not so much an electronica record, it gives programming a run for its money. More along the lines of Portishead and Radiohead, Costa Music leads with the right foot in the realm of surrealism in a genre that can become too comfortable in its own niche that it sometimes grows stagnant.
This incredible debut leads off with the track “As I Go Beneath” that haunts as much as it entertains. The ethereal soundscape of guitar strums and thick beats is something to be envied, while Costa’s voice lends a subversive skew to the norm, yet surprisingly has filled in all the puzzle pieces with nothing but an inclined, and possibly genius collection of tracks. Ambient has a new direction, and I believe it is Costa Music.
Costa Music Myspace:
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Oscar G - "Innov8"
Label: Nervous Records
Rating: 4 Guns
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Review By: Mario R. Martin
It may be rather ballsy to name one’s record “Innov8,” but in Oscar G’s case, it’s spot on. Known for his brand of underground house music, G is 50% of the Miami-based duo, Murk. Together, the pair keep dance floors occupied in South Beach, but alone, G is a wrecking ball of beats, loops, samples and hi-hats ready to split apart woofers and tweeters from coast to coast.
Looking a lot like the Che Guevara of house music, Oscar G’s “Innov8” is a mover. But the true difference between good and bad house is that G’s collection of original material accomplishes the sublime, it tells a story. As anyone who’s ever taken a creative writing class, a good story has to set a back ground (“Angel” and “Pimp”) where it basically lays the groundwork for the rest of the story (or record). The rising action (“Danceflow” and “You”) characteristically showcase the prowess of the writer (or DJ) in preparation for the climax (“Miami” and “Chunky”) where the killer is revealed. The falling action (“Lookin’” and “Crunchy Haze”) wraps up the events of the climax and prepares the reader (or listeners/dancers) for the summary or ending (“Anxious”) which can either give you a chill, or excite you to the point of wanting more.
Despite what a sweaty Miami club-goer may know about constructing a story, or moreover, digesting it, the author (DJ) is the evil genius who premeditated it all; every beat, every break, every peak. “Innov8” succeeds where other house or jungle records fail, it completed the full rotation, from the build when you get to the club, dance, and put the record back on when you leave, bobbing your head in awe of the power of the beat.
Oscar G Myspace:
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