If I had to compile a soundtrack to my perfect summer, “Hot Girlz in Love” by FM ATTACK would easily be one of the first songs I chose. FM ATTACK is a producer hailing from Vancouver, BC, who makes dreamy 80’s-space-disco-italo-house hybrid music. His sound may not be easily categorized, but whatever genre you want to pigeonhole it into, it’s really, really good. “Hot Girlz in Love” is one of my personal favorites in his catalogue. It’s easy-breezy background music for days spent lying languid by the ocean with that special someone.

FM ATTACK – Hot Girlz in Love

The song is simple, clean, and direct. The phrase “Hot Girlz in Love” is repeated over and over, cradled by dreamy synths and delicate cymbal effects that make me think of waves crashing on the beach. Admittedly, the first few times I heard this song I was a bit taken aback by the silliness of the lyrics (usually intentional misspelling is subject to severe skepticism in my book). However, over time I realized that while they are far from profound, their simplicity contributes to the sort of wide-eyed innocence the song so perfectly elicits. In the absence of descriptive lyrics that tell a story, the single line instead helps to create a mood that allows for a purely interpretive and emotional response to the music. This song is accessible by anyone, as any person can relate to and envision their own story behind it. After all, what girl doesn’t want to be young, hot, and in love? And what guy doesn’t want a hot girl in love with them?

Listening to “Hot Girlz in Love,” I envision lovers sitting on the beach watching the surf; taking sunset walks while holding hands; lying out on moonlit nights with an endless sea and starry sky. The music evokes the idyllic summer world, in which everyone in beautiful and happy. I’m stuck in a city, but as I listen to this song I’m tempted to immediately pack my bags and book the next plane to some tropical paradise, hoping to find that special someone to share the rest of my summer with. As this isn’t an option, I’ll have to stay content by putting on “Hot Girlz in Love,” closing my eyes, and for a dreamy 6-odd minutes, pretending that I’m one of those girlz.

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Posted by: Mikayla

I am a big fan of Kamp! for two reasons: first, because they are pretty damn rad and second, because they are Polish. You definitly don’t hear about a lot of pop music coming out of Poland and since I am Polish myself I am excited to hear this talented trio, when we are not known for pumping out fantatsic vintage disco, electronic acts. Anyway, who cares about where I am from…Kamp! makes a dance sound influenced by french house and new wave genres that I can’t seem to get sick of. I can just listen to all of their tracks on repeat and be perfectly content for hours. Kamp! is three dudes who came together in 2007 and since then have also formed Brennnessel, a net label that releases free sounds and is all about promoting modern dance jams.

Kamp! – Heats

Their new song “Heats” starts out with a high hitting piano melody and you are already invested when the vocals come in…”do, do, do, da dooo.” The light, mellow build starts at 1:17 and then the drums drop in. The song is so relaxed that you don’t even notice it drawing you in at all, it is pretty sneaky. There is really only one main build in the song, in addition to the chorus when the keyboards come in and the beat gets faster, but you remain intrigued 100% of the time. The way Kamp! lays sounds on top of each other enables them to bring you on a smooth ride that has no need for any epic roller coaster ups and downs. “Heats” ends the same way it begins, just by slowly releasing you, but leaving you wanting so much more.

“Tell me how it used to be, all your love will fade away, there is always someone who betrays.”

Talk about a tale of love gone wrong…the first couple times I heard this song it didn’t even phase me because it is too mellow to be angry, but too upbeat to be depressed. Eventually it hit me though, “Heats” is heartbreaking. A story of the inevitable? A story about fate? You always hear that betrayal is a part of every relationship and “all the heat will disappear.” My heart aches a little now when I listen to this song because I have been there…you have been there…the person right next you has been there. You listen to the words and memories you keep tucked away start to come to the forefront and the pit in your stomach makes itself known. As you absorb the whole message of the song the mood shifts to hopeful and you see possibility.

“Well I’m gone, leave me down here.”

I like to say that all things DO happen for a reason and eventually you can see why, even if someone breaks your heart. “Heats” is about heartbreak and the end of a relationship, but it is also about moving on and moving forward. “Letting the truth be revealed” and learning what was not right. You can take something from every relationship no matter how it came to an end, you just have to know how to let go.

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Posted by: Kim

Russia might seem like an improbable place for a new wave scene to take root; I hear Russian EDM and I can’t help but think of Proxy’s “Raven”. Luckily we’ve got producers like Volta Cab showing us the lighter side of the Motherland with his new EP, “Clarissa” out this month on OMG! Records. There isn’t a bad track on it.

Volta Cab – Clarissa

“Clarissa” – the title song- starts off slow, teasing you a bit at first. As dreamy vocode builds in the background, the track collapses into an array of beautifully layered melodies. Still, I wasn’t totally sold on “Clarissa” until the last few minutes. Volta Cab unleashes the full force of the track as glistening synths soar overhead in a triumphant moment of pure euphoria. It actually reminds me a lot of something Russ Chimes might do, which for me is a high compliment.

My personal favorite Volta Cab song has got to be “We Are Martians.” It’s not quite as busy as “Clarissa” and is thus more reliant upon it’s catchy hook and it’s relatively forceful delivery. In that sense, “We are Martians” is a dynamic addition to the EP in that it stays well within the general vibe of the release while simultaneously demonstrating some production versatility.

Volta Cab – We Are Martians

If “Clarissa” sounds like Russ, “We Are Martians” sounds like Grum or maybe even Knightlife. I’d be interested if you all hear that. Whatever the case,  the “Clarissa” EP solidifies Volta Cab as a producer to watch and a force to be reckoned with.

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Posted by: Evan

Aeroplane is doing some really cool things in our musical community right now. Although the Belgium pair recently split with Stephen Fasano departing and leaving it the one man project of Vito De Luca (explanation here), they recently finished up a US tour and are set to release a debut full-length album this fall. “We Can’t Fly” is the first single from that album, and if it’s any indication of what the album has to offer, it will be no less than great.

I, and probably most people, first heard this song opening up Aeroplane’s BBC 500th Essential Mix (which if you don’t have, seriously go get it now). After listening to the song once it totally makes sense for it to take such placement. A progressively epic song to say the least.

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Aeroplane – We Can’t Fly

The early thumping bass and atmospheric droplets lead into bongo drums and snaps that already have you in a tropical world far from wherever you’re reading this. Boyish vocals then sneak in bringing a softer touch of innocence; a young boy seemingly deciphering the flight limitations on human beings. There’s a contradiction in the words that comes with youthful hope and peaceful ignorance, to the point of stubborn optimism.

“We can’t fly, come on let’s try. We’re boys and girls, who rule the world.”

“We can’t fly, or kiss the sky. So long bye bye.”

And then at around 1:15 it really hits. You are taken from the forbidden sky back down to a Caribbean beach where you’re sipping mojitos and John Daly’s. I would kill to be on a beach in South America or the Caribbean listening this, drink in hand, no worries in the world. I’d probably have to run around with my arms raised high, eyes closed, wind in my face… in full flight. Being on the beach with your eyes closed, taking in the breeze, feels like what my impression of human flight would feel like. Maybe that’s why this song works so well for me. We can’t fly, but we can feel like we’re flying.

Next comes a soaring choir that builds on top of the ultra funky bassline beautifully. One thing that has really impressed me with Aeroplane productions is the way they build up layers of a song so perfectly. Piercing synth stabs and guitar come in to build on everything up until that point, then take us into a piano breakdown with epic strings. Can you imagine this being performed live with a full orchestra?… on a beach?!? Maybe Vito will do this now that it’s just him. He’ll be the maestro leading an orchestra of immaculate dreamy disco compositions. Now THAT would be epic.

This song seems built for the summer. Created to lift your spirits and foster feelings of warmth and happiness. A song for afternoon barbecues with the people who mean the most in life. A bunch of the Binary family went to see Aeroplane when they were in LA a few weeks back on Fabian’s birthday and when this song hit, it was all smiles everywhere you looked. I seriously dare anyone to fully listen to this song and not be happy. It just has that certain emotional, uplifting quality that we love at Binary. Tropical disco dreamwave?? Maybe, but it’s certainly an inpsirational tune.

One last note: Aeroplane’s remix of Breakbot’s “Baby I’m Yours” is tremendous and probably one of the best productions so far this year. Check that out if you’re unfamiliar, and keep an eye out for Aeroplane’s debut album, currently slated for release on September 6th, 2010.

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Posted By: Dillon

John Jagos from Ohio is Brothertiger and his track ”Feel” comes off of the EP Vision Tunnels. Damn, this dude really knows how to combine instrumentals, vocals and synths to create a sound that is definitely one of a kind. I almost can’t describe Brothertiger’s music…new wave, melodramatic, electro, soul I would have to say. It is incredible the way John can weave kicks and beats to create smooth melodies that flow so naturally.

Brothertiger – Feel

“Feel the sun and everything’s alright.”

“Waking up the sun is in your eyes.”

I can’t distinguish all of the lyrics in “Feel,” but it does not even matter. To me this song is about two things: that somebody and how you know it’s right. Brothertiger is singing about that one person who connects to you the same way you connect to the stars, the sky and the night, on a level all it’s own that you have no control over. Connecting to a another person like you are a part of them and they are a part of you.

“Feel” couldn’t be a better beach song if it tried. I envision myself turning off my cell phone, yes I said it OFF, and just cruising to the beach on a Tuesday. The sand is bumpy underneath my towel and rough on my feet, but my headphones are in and all I can really notice is the warmth of the sun beating down on my skin. As I listen to the song all I can think about is finding that perfect person…the person you fit with. The subtle layers of sound fill my body and I am calm and carefree. I take in the ocean breeze and the earthy, dreamy tones and wonder what that perfect person for me is doing right now and when I will meet them…

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Posted by: Kim

Today we’ve got one of my favorite discoveries from the past year, Worship. This Swiss producer does a lot of work with On The Fruit records along with groups like Underhall, whose Digithall EP was one of my favorite from the past year, and Digitalfoxglove, who did what was easy the best Discotexas Theme remix for my personal heros- Xinobi and Moullinex. I first got into Worship when he remixed Bestrack’s “Wishmaker” and despite having to sift through an endless amount of christian rock to find his Myspace, I love pretty much everything he’s ever done.

Worship – Starcrash

His newest single, “Starcrash” is an epic journey with plenty of darth faders, synth lords, and bad puns along the way. The song was inspired by a 1979 Sci-Fi B-Movie by the same name and it’s easy to understand why. If you’re planning an interstellar road trip I’d highly recommend bringing this track along. It’s not a campy attempt at recreating some retro video game music. If it weren’t for Worship’s vast production expertise there is no way he could get away with songs twice the typical length of his peers. The track is an absolute gem.

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Posted by: Evan

Visitor is a clean, crisp melodic pop band from across the pond. Can’t sing their praises enough at their ability to mix the quintessential 80s sound with smooth, sweet vocals. I love that they coin their style as ‘lounge’ music, because to me they are anything but. Lounge music fades away and adds to the background ambiance, whereas any Visitor song does just the opposite…it pulls you out of conversation and out of thought like a magnetic force. Any track Visitor weaves together makes you feel, from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.

Visitor – Love (Club Edit)

The “Love” club edit is no exception. The bass drops immediately, followed by those perfectly crafted synths waving up and down. Layer upon layer the song just keeps defining itself while pulling you in. The best part about this track is it ropes you in just to drop you and pick you up again. The vocals don’t come in until the last minute and a half of the song and timing is everything. By this point you have no choice…you are wrapped up in the melody.

While listening to this song the past and present are meaningless, it is all about the future. No matter what you may be doing or thinking about “Love” lets you know life won’t steer you wrong. This so called ‘lounge’ tune evokes confidence, peace of mind and dreams of the future.

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Posted by: Kim

Bit Funk has had a big year. Most recently he produced a killer remix for Xenomania up and comer Florrie, but that’s just one in a long line of successful synth pop jams. This Toronto/Chicago based producer first came to my attention as the newcomer on the “Everybody Needs” EP with heavy hitters like our own Fabian and Diamond Cut. Ever since I’ve put Bit Funk on par with DCUP and Cassian as one of the most consistent nu disco producers working today.

Bit Funk – Things I Can’t Remember

“Things I Can’t Remember” is undoubtedly my favorite Bit Funk track (Josh’s note: this is a subject of debate around the Binary fam. I like Love Scientific the best). It opens with a restrained filtered melody riding a tasty wave of angst and brilliance as only Bit Funk can deliver. As cliched as it might sound, there really is something tragically beautiful about this track. The counterpoint between it’s high and crisp synth lines and its fatter and more atmospheric ones generates an energy that calms the mind as much as it moves the feet.

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Posted By: Evan

(Here’s the crew at a BBQ we had at LexiconDon’s spot a couple weekends ago)

I don’t need many words to explain how great this weekend will be. The lineups speak for themselves. The sun is warming the coastline, people are shedding the layers and coming out wearing short shorts. People are starting to crave mojitos. Its our job here at Binary to do our best to help with these summer dreams. We’ve done everything we can to kick things off properly this weekend. Thanks to some big help from TILT and dubFrequency, we’ve put together a weekend worthy of jumpstarting summertime in LA. If you’re around, come join us!

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Class Actress – All The Saints

A quick note about the song. I’ve been meaning to write about Class Actress for some time. A great talent there, with a bright future ahead of them. They’ll be playing immediately after Binary guys LexiconDon, so make sure to get to the Echoplex nice and early! This line up really is a Binary dream. I’m very very curious to hear what a Neon Indian DJ set will sound like, and I know everyone is heavily anticipating hearing a CFCF set as well. Its going to be a loaded night, and I don’t think there’s a single act I’m not very excited to see.

SATURDAY:

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This is how we kickstart the summer. By matching 2 of our favorite artists on the rooftop at the Standard… Poolside. I don’t need to do much more than to give you guys this collaboration between Holy Ghost! and Classixx, which in 4 minutes, embodies everything that this pool party is about.

Holy Ghost – I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version)

Its light, airy, and playful. Its sexy, melodic, and unrelentingly cool. This was one of my favorite remixes of the last couple years, and listening to it right now is giving me goosebumps. Its everything we love here at Binary.

A heads up. Everyone should be getting there nice and early! Both Classixx and Holy Ghost! are playing quite early, so dont miss out!

Put your lotion on and get thirsty, its gunna be hot and sunny with a big chance of really smooth music.

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