ISSUE #30
they told us it was hard, but they were wrong
By Ela Minus
Colombian-born and Brooklyn-based Ela Minus has just released a new single titled: they told us it was hard, but they were wrong. We first heard of Ela Minus as the featured vocalist on Populous' 2017 LP, Azulejos (we also had the opportunity to catch her open for Shigeto in the same year; was great) and have followed her ever since. Who we once associated with cheery, awestruck, dream pop (with the exception of 2018's single So,), we now associate with everything that characterizes this new single. It's a dark world. Harnessing her inner-goth, Ela Minus has entered the dark, minimal techno scene. It's reminiscent to the aesthetics of Austrian electronic group, HVOB and it's incredibly refreshing. The single will surely get the blood moving if you’re in need of some cardio.
Ela Minus is fucking fantastic and you should keep an eye on her. Check out the rest of her stuff on her Bandcamp page here. She's currently on the bill for (the now-rescheduled) Coachella this Fall, and booked to open for Caribou on select dates.
Mandragora
By Clap! Clap!
Following the release of the single Southern Dub a couple weeks ago, Italian producer, Clap! Clap! has found his way back into Bump's New Music Friday series-- and for good reason. Just like its namesake, Mandragora (Mandrake in English) is a hallucinogenic experience. It's a dance party on an arid, Summer's night somewhere along the Mediterranean. It pumps you full of intricate beats, hypnotic rhythms, and dissonant timbres from all over the world just before gently laying you back down on the warm sand.
You can check out Mandragora on Clap! Clap!'s Bandcamp or on Spotify.
Free Gloss (Mood Talk Remix)
By Holy Fuck
Following the release of Deleter back in January 2020, Holy Fuck has teamed up with newcomer Mood Talk to deliver a preview of the band’s upcoming Deleter Remixed EP that has left craving more.
Free Gloss was already a near perfect track, but it has been transformed into a piece of house music that I foresee making appearances in DJ sets for years to come. Keep an eye out for that new EP, because we absolutely will.
Blood Machines Original Soundtrack
by Carpenter Brut
French synthwave rockstar Frank Hueso keeps a low profile in the media, preferring to let his work speak for him. Better known by his stage name, Carpenter Brut is an amalgamation of 80’s slasher film aesthetics, metal and retro synth wizardry - the name comes from synthesizer legend John Carpenter and the champagne Charpentier Brut, a fitting oxymoron for such a unique and dualistic artist. In response to the incredible music video for TURBO KILLER, created by French production duo Seth Ickerman, Carpenter Brut was brought aboard to score a 50 minute short film entitled BLOOD MACHINES, an incredibly produced scifi masterpiece combining cyber-punk and 80’s occult aesthetics like nothing ever before. This visual orgasm is set to drop on May 21st. Luckily for us, the soundtrack is out today, and boy does it BANG. From the more somber moments to the high-octane synth/metal of climactic scenes, this soundtrack has me drooling for the full film.
Favorite tracks: Blood Machines Theme, The Ceremony, Grand Final.
Watch the Blood Machines trailer here, and the Turbo Killer music video here.
Gang EP
by Minutes Unlimited
From producers Elliot Lipp and Michna comes a brand new project pushing the envelope of experimental electronic music. The Gang EP is a deliciously groovy 4-song release that skirts the boundaries of acidness, garage, lofi and techno while managing to stay refreshingly new and engaging throughout. I’ve been following Lipp since the days of Shark Wolf Rabbit Snake (2012) and it brings me a lot of joy to see him so far evolved from when I hopped aboard. I have yet to explore Michna’s discography, but after discovering this EP and the incredible Marantz Files LP from just last month I’ll be diving in as soon as I can tear myself away from Minutes Unlimited.
Favorite tracks: Gang, Day in the Life, Loc.
Bam Bam
by Opiuo and Clozee
From two of the biggest names in festival bass comes the collaboration wooks and working class festivalists alike have been waiting for. Bam Bam hits with the intensity of a rhinoceros and the beauty of a quetzalcoatl, sucking the oxygen from any room with its focused, minimal drops and knee-shattering bass. If you’re not already familiar with these two god-tier producers, do yourself a favor and check out our reviews of them here and here.
