bear toons

Playlists - The Vacationer

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:17:08 +0100

The Vacationer from Bear Toons on 8tracks Radio.

In that sweet spot between finishing University and finding a job, before I can truly be called unemployed. Bout to embark on a roadtrip in California. Bear Toons will be on vacation til June 17th, which means you may have to venture to shores anew for your music fix, something for which I do apologize.

Esta - High ($ex)

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:46:21 +0100

Aww yeaa. Smooth, Silky and, well hell I’m gonna christen a new word for this 2.38 minute wonder track, simply Silkysmooth. San Diego beatmaster Esta killin it again.

Holy Other - Held (Fort Romeau Remix)

Thu, 23 May 2013 03:41:10 +0100

Frequent readers among you might comment that I use the word “spacious” too much when describing music. I mean, what does “spacious” music actually refer to? Well, quite triumphantly, I refer you to this remix from Fort Romeau. Beginning with casual kicks and distorted vocals, the London producer expands gradually yet steadily outward. All the components are simple from the vocals to the snare yet together they form a House sound that is truly large and expansive; one might even say, erm, spacious.

Tokimonsta - The Force ft. Kool Keith (Star Slinger Remix)

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:25:57 +0100

Mancunian producer Star Slinger is perhaps one of the most efficient and consistently inconsistent electronic artists of today. Here, he revamps TOKiMONSTA’s frenetic, Kool Keith featuring track into a piece of House gold. The relentless looping of the vocals coupled with the catchy baseline make this another winning remix for Star Slinger. Incidentally, the music video for the original deserves a look as it clearly goes above and beyond the criteria for our Trippy Music Videos.

Silent Rider - Skinny Love (Bon Iver Cover)

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:10:00 +0100

In an age where remixes are a dime-a-dozen, I really appreciate a well-thought out and executed cover. NYC indie-pop band Silent Rider pull of a cover of “Skinny Love” that is even more haunting than the original. Though Bon Iver’s stripped down acoustic sing-a-long feel is altered, Silent Rider add subtle electronic echoes and twangs, breathing new life into the track rather than truly deconstructing it.

Tom Odell - Another Love (Jonas Rathsman Remix)

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:35:01 +0100

Been a fan of Swedish producer Jonas Rathsman ever since his “Tobago” track. Haven’t really much from him since in the way of ear-grabbing music. This remix is all about the interaction between the haunting vocals, hypnotic piano sample and the shuddering bass line. Also check out his dance-floor ready collaboration with Dj Nibc, Stuffa.

TÂCHES

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:47:32 +0100

London-via-Mallorca producer TÂCHES (apparently pronounced Tash, if you were wondering ~ I wasn’t, but someone told me so I feel compelled to tell all of you now) makes songs that wow. Its easy to get caught up in the UK house scene and its sudden reinvention by judging and predicting the way tracks unfold. TÂCHES simply makes this impossible. The only thing you can assume about the music he produces is that the bass will be right on point. His remix of DrDr’s “EXTRA” starts relaxed and restrained letting the vocals suck you in and then blows you away with the fat bassline. His original efforts evoke similar feelings of “Oof where did that come from?”.

Frank Ocean - Thinking about You (King Henry Bootleg)

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:24:56 +0100

I think everyone has heard at least a few terrible remixes of this song. The singularity of Frank Ocean’s excellent vocals and instant sing-a-long quality of the track make it very hard to remix with any verve. Here, LA trap producer keeps the basic elements of the track the same, yet disorts the vocals and lets the song descend into murky Trapness. Simple.

(Throwback) Free N Losh - Your Mother Should Know

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:15:35 +0100

A week ago I posted about Toronto duo Free N Losh and forgot to post their track “Your Mother Should Know;” a track that has since become a favorite of mine. Sometimes simplicity in electronic music is best: a haunting beatles-esque vocal track and chilled out Trap-infused beat just stick with you. Though some of F N L’s tracks have a grating dubstep wobble to them, this particular track elucidates their Trap talent.

Nosaj Thing x Chance the Rapper - Paranoia

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:45:16 +0100

As if you needed another reason to realize that Chance the Rapper is blowing up, here’s an interesting collaboration with one of the premiere electronic producers of our time, Nosaj Thing. The Chicago rapper’s sing-songy style and stream of conscious lyrics go hand in hand with spaced out, trip-hop beats and “Paranoia” is just another example. As hip hop and electronic music become increasingly intertwined its good see one of the rising stars of hip hop embrace electronic production so readily. Do yourself a favor and download Chance’s mixtape ACID RAP if you haven’t already. Cheers to my boy Hatemz for the spot.

Jorge Takei - Aretha (Vocal Remix)

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:04:05 +0100

Jorge Takei is one half of Colegne producing duo JTRP. This solo endeavor is built around, yes you guess it, a stirring Aretha Franklin vocal sample. This track embodies pretty much everything I love about House music at moment - classic vocal sample, retro feel, pounding bass, smooth hi-hats and a touch of something different to keep it fresh. The vocals will get your hands in the other but the perfectly executed bassline will prompt involuntary movement in your feet. Download for free from XLR8R.

Tink - When I'm Lit (The GTW Rework)

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:52:51 +0100

The GTW is Chicago-based rapper/producer who epitomizes the varied styles and music that are emerging from the Chi-Town at the moment. Here he did an incredibly silky “retwerk” of fellow Chi-towner Tink’s track “When I’m Lit”. The cheeky vocals and lyrics seem to go hand in hand with The GTW’s spacious reworking. Download for free here.

Twigs - How’s That Not only are the visuals in this music...

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:47:08 +0100

Twigs - How’s That

Not only are the visuals in this music video from Twigs super trippy and weird. The song refuses to follow a normal structure, taking the listener on an audio trip to accompany the visual feast.

Playlist - Freie Trax

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:37:01 +0100

Freie Trax from Bear Toons on 8tracks Radio.

I hadn’t made a playlist in while so I put together this mix of free download goodies. Spanning House, Techno, Trap and Hip Hop. You are not likely to fall asleep listening to this. Some of the tracks may have been featured on BearToons but the others are all easy to find on Bandcamp, Soundcloud or XLR8R. Just simply google search them and you’ll snag your download.

Cloud 9 - Do You Want Me Baby (Dusky Remix)

Sun, 05 May 2013 13:18:46 +0100

Another weekend, another song that I had to see performed live to really appreciate it. Dusky, the London based production duo, brought the house down in Edinburgh when they dropped this rendition of “Do You Want Me Baby”. Classic vocals coupled with a superb House baseline.

Cadenza & Nasher - Gyal Town

Fri, 03 May 2013 12:07:32 +0100

When I initially came across this track a week ago, I don’t think the full gravity of the song really hit me. I downloaded it and moved on…until yesterday when this track jumped up on shuffle and blew my fucking socks off. The relentless juke drums and heavy bass coupled with the infectious chopped vocal samples and the hollering of the MC makes this a piece of DnB gold. Perfect for party starting, gyming or just winning.

Malevo - Genesis Not even sure this qualifies as a real music...

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:00:00 +0100

Malevo - Genesis

Not even sure this qualifies as a real music video. Yet there is music and there is a trippy, well designed video so thats enough for me. 2 Minutes of seemless wormholes and garage/minimal sound design.

Free N Losh - Where Do They Go?

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:39:00 +0100

Toronto duo Free N Losh follow in the footsteps of their more famous countrymen Zeds Dead by bringing a retro approach to Electronic Music. Despite dabbling in dubstep, and progressive house, the production duo has really begun to hold their own in creating killer trap tracks that are a break from the norm. “Where Do They Go?” is a trap remix of the iconic Mills Brothers tune “Smoke Rings;” its an instantly recognizable song that prompts memories of black and white films and yet the Free N Losh update is skillfully crafted and just about balances the old with the new. Fans of Gramatik will be intrigued.

Mount Kimbie - Made to Stray Designed and Directed by Leif...

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:17:00 +0100

Mount Kimbie - Made to Stray

Designed and Directed by Leif Podhajsky

Made to Stray is not your average ordinary song. It’s not even your average extraordinary song. Such a absurdist beat deserves a batshit crazy set of visuals. And boy, are they some kind of batshit…

Watch in HD for best results.

Say Lou Lou - Julian (Sango Remix)

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:37:20 +0100

Sango has successfully combined the sound concepts of ‘chilled out’ and ‘going hard’ with this remix. The Michigan producer remixes the lead single of the vocal duo Say Lou Lou and turns it into a masterpiece filled with snare drums and heavy bass. Looping the vocals and let the synth melody carry the listener away. Genius.