MP3 SELECTS : Playlists & New Music from Flamingosis, IMANU, Whipped Cream & More
In the modern era, distribution services push out over 60,000 new tracks every single day. How do you cut through all the noise, select what to listen to, and boost your playlist game? Introducing MP3 SELECTS, our weekly rundown of new music in the festival sphere. Shuffle through this week’s selections on our MP3 SELECTS playlist and read more about this week’s round up below:
STAFF SELECTIONS
SELECTS by MIKALA LUGEN
Flamingosis — “Soulsearcher”
Flamingosis has laid down the funk. As heard in his newly released sixth studio album, Better Will Come, the New Jersey-raised and Brooklyn-based producer strikes a deep emotional chord with his handcrafted electronic beats and live instrumentation.
Appearing as the second track on the album, “Soulsearcher” is a happily infectious electro-funk heater bursting with snappy grooves, retro soundscapes, ecstatic strings, engaging horns, and echoing vocals. It’s basically sunshine wrapped in a four-minute composition, so feel free to blast it throughout all corners of the world. You can watch the official music video by 3D/VR artist Mellomograph here.
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Close To Monday — “Phantom”
Synth-pop duo Close To Monday have unleashed their haunting new monthly single, “Phantom.” The new single invites listeners on a journey of self discovery and introspection through its dark and pulsating synths, haunting vocals, and late-night cinematic melodies. Listening can dive you into the thought provoking depths of human nature, exploring your own internal realm of experiences, hopes, fears, and joys reside in one.
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Greensky Bluegrass — “Solstice”
Greensky Bluegrass have unveiled a new four-track live EP, The Iceland Sessions. Recorded at Flóki Studios in the summer of 2023 just before the band’s first-ever Icelandic run of shows at Reykjavik’s Harpa Concert Hall, the EP showcases the group’s global influence in the world of jamgrass. Tapping Holly Bowling, the EP’s closing track “Solstice” seals the EP with thoughtful lyrics and beautiful bluegrass pickings, while Bowling’s touch of sprinkling keys in the latter half of the track draws it all together.
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SELECTS by CONNOR PHILLIPS
WHIPPED CREAM, Showjoe — “about you”
Cinematic producer WHIPPED CREAM just dropped her compelling new track, “about you” featuring emerging rapper Showjoe. This highly anticipated collaboration delves deep into the intricacies of dealing with toxic individuals. “about you” eloquently captures the internal struggle of trying to distance oneself from such influences while finding them persistently lingering in one’s thoughts.
The song’s pulsating ravey synth elements mirror the tumultuous journey of attempting to shake off this unwanted presence, intensifying the emotional experience. Showjoe’s entrance into the electronic realm adds a fresh dynamic to the mix. His velvety, smoky vocals seamlessly intertwine with the upbeat landscape, enhancing the track’s overall sonic impact.
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IMANU, Grabbitz — “Fire”
IMANU and versatile singer-producer Grabbitz join forces to ignite the airwaves with their explosive summer anthem, “Fire,” out now via Zeds Dead’s Deadbeats label. This long-awaited collaboration delivers a potent blend of electrifying energy and raw power.
“Fire” showcases IMANU’s trademark dynamic soundscapes, seamlessly weaving together sentimental harmonies, vibrant basslines, and mesmerizing vocal chops. The track’s evolution from a bass-driven groove to a halftime drop keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, while Grabbitz’s authentic lyrics add a unique layer of depth and emotion. With its irresistible blend of sonic elements and infectious energy, “Fire” promises to set dancefloors ablaze.
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Alesso — “Zig Zag”
Alesso’s eagerly awaited Hypnotize EP is finally out, released in a powerhouse collaboration of his imprint Body Hi with Capitol Records. Marking a significant shift in his musical trajectory, this three-track compilation departs from the pop-centric sound Alesso has explored in recent years, introducing a refreshing blend of more experimental-based electronic components.
“Zig Zag” kicks off the EP with a wave of distortion, repeating the lyrics “Left… right… left… right…”. As the song consistently builds its level of energy, new hypnotic vocals are brought into the fold, leading up to a dance-inducing, house-fueled bassline.
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Beije — “Ecdysis”
Marking the announcement and debut release on Magnetic Magazine Recordings, skilled duo Beije has delivered an ethereal melodic and organic house anthem in “Ecdysis.” The Toronto-based pair’s previous discography includes hits like “Window to the Soul” and “Waiting for the Sun to Rise,” which have racked up millions of streams.
“Ecdysis” is more than just a track; it is an auditory journey of transformation and renewal, aptly named after the biological process of shedding old skin. The track masterfully builds tension, embodying a dynamic flow that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.
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SELECTS by FRANZ HILBERATH
Sherm — “Set It Up”
Get ready to groove to Sherm‘s latest house banger, “Set It Up.” Fresh off his “Toxic” tour alongside heavy hitters like Dombresky and Sidepiece, Sherm’s back with a track that’s bound to set dance floors on fire. With its hard hitting bassline, fiery synth stabs, and infectious vocal samples, “Set It Up” is a certified party starter that’ll have you moving all night long. But Sherm’s not just about the music—he’s about building community. Teaming up with industry influencer Olivia Mancuso, Sherm’s proud to announce the Chicago Music Nexus event, a game-changing platform for music pros and artists to connect, collaborate, and grow.
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AK Renny, (UK) Corrupt — “Fade Away”
Rising crossover star AK Renny and the UK’s Corrupt have teamed up on a Hood Politics collab, “Fade Away.” The track is a fusion of AK Renny’s dynamic vocals with Corrupt’s cutting-edge production. This track showcases AK Renny’s dual talents as both a vocalist and producer, marking a pivotal step in her evolving career.
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QRTR, Mirin Doja — “turn u into stone”
Powerhouse producer QRTR returns with the new EP, “wilt.” It delivers everything we adore about this talented artist — from dreamy vocal chops to cutting-edge sound design. “Turn u into stone” is a refreshing track that captivates with its catchy sonic elements. READ MORE — QRTR’s Fresh, Ethereal Dive Into Dance Music
Riveting basslines and a thumping backing beat accompany the full vocal release, reassuring us that “it’s OK” as we dance into the night.
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Kumarion, Bensley, Colleen D’agostino — “I Am Here”
Kumarion, Bensley, and vocalist Colleen D’agostino join forces for the spirited banger, “I Am Here.” This collaboration precedes their national tour, “Carry The Fire,” where they headline alongside Justin Hawkes.
READ MORE — New Music, Classic Sounds: Kumarion Paves
The Way for the Next Wave of Drum and Bass
Kumarion’s catalog consistently delivers timeless tunes that evoke nostalgia while offering fresh, exciting sound design. The tour is set to be one of the premier drum and bass experiences in North America this summer. Don’t miss out.
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SELECTS by LOGAN SASSER
It’s murph, Sorana — “Down Low”
It looks like it’s murph has delivered another summertime house banger, but this time, it’s a melodic tech house tune that deviates slightly from it’s murph’s traditionally pop-centric aesthetic. “Down Low” is murph’s first real club-focused track, and this collaboration with Sorana is a match made in heaven.
Of course, “Down Low” still features the sort of ear candy melodies that define it’s murph sound on viral songs like “Food for the Soul” and “High and I Like it,” but this most recent track is way more club oriented than any of his previous work thanks to it’s glitchy, swirly scyth patches and bouncy bass lines scattered throughout the 3:33 runtime.
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Disco Lines, GUDFELLA — “back2u”
Melodic house is alive and well, and Disco Lines is leading the charge — this time with GUDFELLA on their new dance pop single “back2u.” The new track is a dramatic, emotional ode to love on the dancefloor.
“Back2u” is a simple track, more concerned with contemporary dance music motifs than complicated production gimmicks. It’s through this simplicity that the track strikes emotional, euphoric chords, drowning in heartbreak and innocence.
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