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Sound Selection 108: DYLYN, Justy

DYLYN Find Myself

Firstly on our Sound Selection, we have Find Myself by the terrifically talented DYLYN. The song itself envelops the raw, catchy, rock-style DYLYN has shaped since her debut EP Sauvignon and a Kimono, back in 2018. For the song, DYLYN worked alongside Ryan Guldemond who is known for being the member of Indie rock band Mother Mother. Talking about the collaboration with Guldemond, DYLYN stated “After working with Ryan, I thought, ‘This is it. This is finally the stuff I’ve been wanting to write. The 18-year-old me has returned.’ I hadn’t felt that excited in a long time.”

Find Myself is part of an upcoming EP by DYLYN and features a brilliant music video which was inspired by classic horror films.

Justy Expectations

Moving forward, we have the exciting Justy, a Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter, with her newest single Expectations. Justy returns with another euphonious track this time a song that focuses on the theme of unconditional love. Like Justy’s previous song Stringing Along, Expectations also delivers a superb production that encompasses an ear-warming flow that is accompanied by Justy’s playlist ready vocals.

Expectations is the first single from Justy’s forthcoming debut album.

BTS Announce New Concert Film ‘Break the Silence: The Movie’

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BTS have announced a new concert film titled Break the Silence: The Movie. Hitting theaters worldwide on September 10th via Trafalgar Releasing, it marks the K-pop group’s fourth concert film and will document their 2019 Love Yourself: Speak Yourself world tour through the United States, Europe, and Asia. Find more information here.

Following the world premiere, the film will make its way to US theaters starting September 24. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dates are subject to local theater opening schedules. Tickets will be available on August 13th.

In addition to footage from the band’s first international stadium tour, the film also explores “each band member behind the curtain,” according to a press release.

Break the Silence will be the follow-up to 2019’s Bring the Soul: the Movie, which will return to theaters from August 28th-30th and will feature a preview of Break the Silence. Tickets for the re-run of their 2019 movie go on sale on August 18th.

BTS will perform during the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30th, where they will reportedly premiere a new single called ‘Dynamite’. They released their latest LP Map of the Soul: 7 in February, followed by a Japanese-language version in July.

The Weeknd Unveils New Song ‘Smile’ Featuring Juice WRLD

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The Weeknd has unveiled a new single featuring the late Juice WRLD titled ‘Smile’. Check it out below.

The track marks the first collaborative effort between the Canadian singer and the late Chicago rapper, who passed away in September after suffering a seizure. Just months before he died, he tweeted: “Me and The Weeknd would make a diamond record…”

‘Smile’ arrives a few hours before The Weeknd’s virtual event on TikTok, an “immersive XR experience”, set to air at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT today (August 7). Throughout the event, TikTok users be able to donate to the Equal Justice Initiative, which aims to bring an end to mass incarceration in the US.

The Weeknd’s latest studio LP was After Hourswhich we named one of our favourite albums of the year so far. Juice WRLD’s posthumous album, Legends Never Die, was released last month.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Join Forces on New Song ‘WAP’

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Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion have joined forces on a new collaborative track titled ‘WAP’. Check it out below, alongside an accompanying music video featuring cameos from Kylie Jenner, Normani, Rosalía, Rubi Rose, Sukihana, and Mulatto. 

Cardi noted on Instagram that this is the censored version of the ‘WAP’ video. “The song was so nasty that YouTube was like ‘hold on, wait a minute, that song might be too goddamn nasty,’” she said.

First teased back in April, ‘WAP’ marks Cardi B’s first single since last year’s ‘Press’. Back in March, Meg released a mini album called Suga, which was followed by the Beyoncé-featuring remix of ‘Savage’ as well as the single ‘Girls in the Hood’, both of which she performed at the 2020 BET Awards.

Listen to the New James Blake-Produced Song by Flatbush Zombies

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Flatbush Zombies have shared a new single, the James Blake-produced ‘Afterlife’. It comes with with an accompanying music video directed by Arnaud Bresson and shot in Paris before the COVID-19 pandemic. Check it out below.

“Today, there is no technology that x-ray films a living being without endangering it, so we worked hand in hand with a post-production company to develop a technical device that would allow us to achieve a similar effect,” Bresson explained in a press release. “We used multi-camera tracking, recorded the positions and movements of our characters to extract and apply to our 3D compositions. It took four months of work to find the perfect style.”

Flatbush Zombies put out their latest EP now, more than ever in June, following their 2018 album Vacation in Hell. James Blake recently unveiled the single ‘Are You Even Real?’.

Jamila Woods Unveils New Song Inspired by Toni Morrison

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Jamila Woods has shared a new track titled ‘SULA (Paperback)’. The song is inspired by the late Toni Morrison’s 1974 novel of the same name. Listen to it below.

“It’s the first Toni Morisson novel I ever read and it inspired the first chapbook of poems I ever wrote,” Woods said in a statement. “The novel shows the evolution of a friendship between two Black women and how they choose to navigate society’s strict gender roles and rules of respectability. On Sula, Toni Morrison wrote, ‘living totally by the law and surrendering totally to it without questioning anything sometimes makes it impossible to know anything about yourself.’”

She added: “Returning to the story several years later, it gave me permission to reject confining ideas about my identity designed to shrink my spirit. It reminded me to embrace my tenderness, my sensitivities, my ways of being in my body. This song is a mantra to allow myself space to experience my gender, love, intimacy, and sexuality on my own terms.”

Jamila Woods’ most recent album was 2019’s LEGACY! LEGACY!, which followed a similar premise and included tributes to artists of color including Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and Frida Kahlo.

Albums Out Today: The Microphones, Aminé, Deep Purple, Glass Animals

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In this segment, we showcase the most notable albums out each week. Here are the albums out on August 7th, 2020:

The Microphones, Microphones in 2020

Phil Elverum is back with his first new album as the Microphones in 17 years. Microphones in 2020 is out now via P.W. Elverum & Sun and is comprised of a single 44-minute track. The LP is accompanied by an album-length short film, which premiered on Youtube yesterday. “Instead of shoring up the tilting walls of whoever I think I am, I push at the seams and try to tip it all over,” the artist said in a statement. “I do not want to be well known by my name or an image or an idea that might trail me around. I do want to know well, and to share insights, about the workings of time and weather growing and eroding this one life.” The album follows 2003’s Mount Eerie; last year, Elverum released Lost Wisdom Pt. 2 in a collaboration with Julie Doiron.

Aminé, Limbo

Aminé has come through with a new album titled Limbo, out now via EMI Records. The album features contributions from Vince Staples, Slowthai, JID, Injury Reserve, Summer Walker, and Charlie Wilson. “It’s something I’m really proud of and something I’ve been putting a lot of effort into for the past two years,” Aminé explained in a 2019 interview with Bandwagon. “I haven’t really gone this in-depth with my music in a while, so it feels good.” The album follows 2018’s ONEPOINTFIVE and includes the previously released singles ‘Compensating’, ‘Shimmy’, and  ‘Riri’.

Deep Purple, Whoosh!

Deep Purple have returned with their 21st studio LP, Whoosh!, through earMUSIC. Originally scheduled for release in June but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the album was produced by Bob Ezrin, who helmed Deep Purple’s previous two records, 2013’s Now What? and 2017’s inFinite (2017). “We’ve included everything that made the whole band smile, including Bob Ezrin,” guitarist Steve Morse said in a statement. “We’ve always enjoyed making music and having the incredible luxury of a loyal audience.” According to a press release, the album sees the band “pushing the boundaries of time, while voicing their resentment about the current situation of the world and addressing all generations.”

Glass Animals, Dreamland

British psychedelic outfit Glass Animals have dropped their third studio album, Dreamland. Originally slated for release on July 10th, the follow-up to 2016’s How to Be a Human Being was postponed “in order to respect and support the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement,” according to a statement. The band’s first album since drummer Joe Seaward suffered severe injuries after being hit by a truck while riding his bike in 2018, it delves into frontman Dave Bayley’s past following a period introspection. “The future was damn scary and completely unknown,” Bayley recalled. “During those weeks in the hospital, it was so difficult to look forwards that I found myself looking backwards.”

Other albums out today:

Jason Molina, Eight Gates; Luke Bryan, Born Here, Live Here, Die Here; Jaga Jazzist, Pyramid; Washed Out, Purple Noon; Alison Mosshart, Sound Wheel.

How To Set Up A Recording Studio At Home – 9 Step Guide

Gone are the days when you need a hefty budget to be able to set up a recording studio. Today, thanks to the benefit of the internet and the advancement of technology, anyone can set up a standard music recording studio in the comfort of their home even with the help of Audio Art Cable. Plus, you only need extra inches of table space, instead of a large room solely dedicated to the studio. 

Thankfully, we live in an age where almost anyone can record their own music. While there are several online platforms that allow people to upload their finished music, easy access to recording equipment has made it easier for a lot of music lovers to achieve their dream.

Here are the things you need to set up a home recording studio.

Computer

Make sure you pick a very reliable computer. There’s no need to spend too much money on an expensive computer. Simply get one that has decent storage and is very fast. Plus, it should be able to process the sound you want to record. You can either have a full desktop setup, a laptop, or even both. The laptop makes it possible to do your recordings on the go.

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

Most people do their recording with a computer and the help of a digital audio workstation (DAW). With different types of digital audio workstations available to choose from, it is important to do a little research to find out which one will better suit the kind of music you want to record. 

Audio Interface

If you are going to be creating all your music with the help of virtual sounds, then an audio interface may not be an essential part of your setup. Nonetheless, it is a good option to have. However, if you are going to rely on your vocals, then you need to have an audio interface as part of your setup. You should also have the kind of live instrument(s) that you want in your music connected to your audio interface. The quality of your sound matters, so it is important to buy good quality instruments. Before you buy, visit Making Music Pro to point you in the right direction.

MIDI Keyboard

A MIDI keyboard or a mini electronic keyboard is a must-have for any home recording studio setup. And don’t worry, you don’t need to be a Beethoven to be able to use it. Most of the time, you will simply use it to test out different sounds and melodies with your VST Plugins. The size of the keyboard to use should depend on how much space you have, but most probably you’ll want more keys for larger projects thus getting and 88 key MIDI keyboard might be an option.

Studio Monitors

Studio monitors will be used to hear what you are mixing or recording. If you are wondering why regular desktop speakers are not used for studio recording, that is because these PC speakers are already tuned for a certain type of music. Studio monitors are tuned flat and that allows producers to hear the dynamics of the tracks. A decent pair of studio monitor. A decent pair of studio monitors should be enough to do the trick. Thankfully, most of the models manufactured lately are both small-sized enough to find space on your table and have very good quality. Add a pair of balanced ¼” TRS cables to your studio monitors, and you are good to go.

Headphones

Not all headphones are good enough to be used in a recording studio. Thus, it is important to pick the right headphones – headphones designed to deliver a solid frequency response while offering a precise sound replication. Your headphones should also come with a noise canceling feature. That is, it should be able to eliminate any form of outside sound or noise and tune only into the music you are working on. Ensure that the headphones you choose have a closed-back design that enables it to minimize any form of bleed back from the audio you are working on.

Microphone

Whether you are looking for a modern, sleek, or vintage microphone, there are loads of options currently available on the market. Just make sure that you purchase a microphone that captures decent and clear sound. It should also produce a natural sound that stays true to the original sound when using your live instruments. For most recording experts, flat-top condenser mics offer better frequency response, as they are more sensitive when compared to the dynamic microphones. Also, ensure that your choice of a microphone can be used on different kinds of amplifiers, is easy to set up, and can also be used on acoustics and other audio sources.

Conviction And Creativity

You can have an impressive setup of equipment but if you lack the creativity or conviction it requires to produce good quality music, then you are basically wasting your time. Consider listening to different sound selections for inspiration. Get creative with the kind of music you want to showcase, and do not allow yourself to be held back by anything. For this you will need to plan exactly how you want your music tracks to be structured. You can start with blank clips, consider creating placeholder tracks and blank MIDI clips. This will give you a broader perspective of the track as a whole. To further stimulate your creativity, why not experiment with different sounds especially the presets or vocal phrases that you are unfamiliar with. By not simply sticking to what you know, you are opening yourself up to opportunities of brilliance while making your track.

Production Process Mastery

If you’re quite new to music production, it is crucial that you familiarise yourself to the key processes required. This isn’t something that you will learn in one day, rather it will take hours upon hours of practise to perfect. Granted, due to the complexity of these processes, it may be wise to get help from an experienced technical pro. So what exactly are these processes? Well the first is your songwriting abilities – think about how your track will flow from start to finish. Consider the rhythm, harmony and melody of the track because a great song is one that is emotive to the listener. Will it make them want to kick back and relax, or will it energise them to jump up and dance. Other essential processes to think about includes the editing and tracking process, the arrangement process as well as the final mixing and mastering processes.

The Last Dinosaur Presents New Single and Announces New Album ‘Wholeness’

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The Last Dinosaur, the project of artist Jamie Cameron, has revealed a new single named Wholeness and the Implicate Order, just today. Talking about the song The Last Dinosaur stated “This piece began it’s life in 2012 and was finally finished this year. A collaboration between me, Luke Hayden (piano), Rachel Lanskey (viola) and Lewis Daniel (brass and wind). A mess of memories. The magic to the mundane to the malevolent. Eventually the music is overwhelmed by the elements. Instruments continue playing until they’re lost to the wind, static, footsteps, electricity. Transitory bullshit ultimately designated insignificant by the relentless and overwhelming order of nature.”

Wholeness is due to be released on the 23rd of October via Phases.

Kate Tempest Changes Name to Kae, Adopts They/Them Pronouns

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Kate Tempest has announced they will be changing their name to Kae Tempest. From now on, they will be using the pronouns they/them, the rapper and poet revealed on social media.

“It’s pronounced like the letter K,” Kae wrote. “It’s an old English word that means Jay bird. Jays are associated with communication, curiosity, adaptation to new situations and COURAGE which is the name of the game at the moment. It can also mean jackdaw brought the rain. Which I love. It has its roots in the Latin word for rejoice, be glad and take pleasure. And I hope to live more that way each day.”

Regarding the change of pronouns, they added: “I have tried to be what I thought others wanted me to be so as not to risk rejection. This hiding from myself has led to all kinds of difficulties in my life. And this is a first step towards knowing and respecting myself better.”

Read Kae’s full statement below. Their most recent album was 2019’s The Book of Traps and Lessons, which we named one of the best albums of the year.