TIM ATLAS - COMPROMISED (CHRISTOFI REMIX)

We love a good remix over here at Beautiful Buzzz. Other music blogs can sometimes be picky about their selections and refuse to post remixes, but we just love it when a producer reimagines a classic track and infuses some new flavor. It’s especially great when they’re able to preserve the essence of what made the original awesome while simultaneously introducing a whole new aesthetic. This latest reimagining comes from two artists who are no stranger to BB: indie soul crooner Tim Atlas and electronic producer Christofi. Both pals from California, Atlas decided to enlist Christofi to deliver his own dance-oriented take on “Compromised” — Atlas’ most popular original to date which has racked up over 13M streams on Spotify. The remix adds lush chords, toe-tapping percussion, and a bright synth lead that readies this track for any dance floor or festival stage. You’ll definitely want to add this one to your party playlists and blast it at your next pregame (or 3am afterparty to annoy the hell out of your roommates if you live in a house like mine).

VALENTINE & ROB ARAUJO - EMBRACE (FEAT. PATCHES)

VALENTINE is a producer who knows what he’s doing and isn’t afraid to take risks with his sound. We’ve covered the virtuosic young sound designer before here at BB and are always eager to hear what he comes up with next. So when we heard he was releasing his debut album via Majestic Casual Records, to say we were excited would be an understatement.

The album, a concept album chronicling VALENTINE’s journey through love with his fiancée, is being released episodically and “Embrace” is the third episode. It also marks his debut as a vocalist. The track is a unique amalgam of different influences, incorporating elements of jazz from pianist Rob Araujo and smooth hip hop verses from rapper Patches. The resulting fusion is a style I’ve never quite heard before, it pairs VALENTINE's maximalist sound design with a musically sophisticated palette reminiscent of artists like Anderson Paak, Kaytranada and Smino.

Accompanying the release, you'll find lots of other compelling content like this creative music video and a mysterious website for the album.

Waxing poetic about the single, VALENTINE speaks about the track as if addressing his lover:

“Sometimes, I just think about all the times we rode the train to see each other; all the times I sprinted from those doors to your arms and held you for the first time in weeks. 

The pattern repeats as I come home from traveling and rush into the apartment to hold you again.

Sometimes, I get caught up in my insecurities; I know we both do. Truthfully, it was never our purpose to be perfect. 

Sometimes, I wonder: “What is my purpose?”

The pattern repeats as I realize all I can do is embrace our individuality, the memories we share, and all the experiences that we have yet to discover.”

SMALLTALK - YOUNG

A few months ago, we introduced you to smalltalk, the LA/SF based duo consisting of Peter Fenn and Parker Livingston who make vibey electro-tinged indie soul music. Their sophomore single as smalltalk, “Young”, starts with Fenn’s chopped up raspy vocal over gentle synths then slowly builds with the addition of a hip-hop inspired beat. More calming melodic production enters the frame as the hooks start to leak out from Fenn’s cheeky voice box. “Young, young, we were too young” and “all I do is think about it” will burrow into your head by the end of the song. Just listen to this one a few times through, and trust me, you’ll be tapping your toes and singing along without even realizing it.

[PREMIERE] TIM ATLAS - COUNTERFEIT

Master of vintage vibes and soulful swag, the one and only Tim Atlas is back with a new tune just as he prepares to embark on his All Talk! Summer Tour, and we’re excited to have the honor of premiering it for you today on this lovely New Music Friday. 

Clocking in at just under three minutes, “Counterfeit” is a short and sweet slice of classic Tim Atlas grooviness. Replete with a sassy bass line, plenty of cowbell, sexy synths, and cheeky gang vocals for good measure—it’s a bouncy toe tapper that’ll have you moving without even realizing it. Tim’s soft and subdued vocals glide above the 80’s rock drums, nostalgic synths and jazzy guitar and bass licks. Like most of Atlas’ music, it transports you back to an earlier era while maintaining an air of contemporary electro-funk of which the likes of Chromeo or Cherub would likely be fans. 

Speaking about the track, Tim said:
"We're all guilty of indulging in something when we know we shouldn’t. But we do it anyway because we’re human and we often choose that feeling over what actually makes sense."

Catch Tim Atlas on tour in a city near you
JUN 17 Bottom Of the Hill - San Francisco, CA
JUN 20 The Peppermint Club - Los Angeles, CA
JUN 21 Beat Kitchen - Chicago, IL
JUN 23 The Barbary - Philadelphia, PA
JUN 27 Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY
JUN 29 Middle East - Cambridge, MA

CRAY - PEACHES (RAC MIX)

I’ve been following CRAY for a hot minute. Ever since I stumbled on her Soundcloud and the Mario Bros. themed artwork and video game sample-laden trap tracks caught my eyes and ears, I’ve been watching the rise of the gamer girl who also makes dope beats and tweets hilarious musings about food.

CRAY has come a long way as an artist since her first releases on Soundcloud. She has since started singing on her tracks and developed an indie pop leaning electronic sound. Her latest original single “Peaches” quickly amassed over a quarter of million streams on Spotify alone thanks to a catchy hook, silky vocals, and vibey forward-thinking production. Now we’re lucky enough to have a remix from one of the best remixers in the game, RAC! Everything the dude touches is gold and this “Peaches” mix is no exception. With the addition of gorgeous guitar parts, thick percussion rhythms, and just the right amount of synth embellishments, RAC’s version preserves what made the original great while introducing a new relaxed-yet-bright energy to the track. Go peep this one and add it to your summer playlists now!

DRESAGE - GALLERY

Bright, artful, cinematic, and colored with musical influences from across a veritable swath of genres and eras, Dresage is an artist who isn’t afraid of exploration and taking bold risks with her compositions. The solo project moniker of singer/songwriter/producer Keeley Bumford—who also makes infectious pop music in the duo More Giraffes—Dresage is the outlet through which she marries her love of vocal stylings from jazz greats with the maturity of dark and moody, left-of-center indie/electronic pop.

“Gallery” is her newest single, and it shines as an upbeat indie pop track, with rhythmic motion reminiscent of artists like HAIM or Betty Who, but with melodies and production that don’t fit so neatly into any specific mold. One listen will give you a peek into the brightly-colored palette that is Bumford’s personal musical gallery, where she has collected all of her personal influences and put them on display, arranging them in such a way that seems familiar, but also entirely new. 

[PREMIERE] AIRE ATLANTICA - THINGS I HATE ABOUT U (FT. TZAR)

This ish goes harddd! So incredibly stoked and honored to get to premiere this track for you today. It immediately intrigues you from the beginning and picks up energy gradually as Tzar starts to air out her feelings toward her love/hate relationship partner. And then Aire Atlantica’s commanding production envelops you and begins to take hold over every part of your body and mind that responds to bass. The snappiest of trap snares crack over a swaying hip hop beat with an assortment of rich synth chords guiding the melodic line. Vocal chops provide striking moments of expression as staccato accents on Tzar’s legato lyric delivery. By all of this, what I’m really trying to say is that Aire goes IN on this track and I hope to see this live on a massive sound system at some point, but for now my headphones will do just fine.

ELI WAY - PAPERCUT (FEAT. CEHRYL)

Eli Way is a groovemaster. If you haven't yet heard of him, get hip to the program! The Chicago-based producer has a knack for crafting jazzy, vibey tunes which pair classical stylings with modern production sensibilities. His latest number “Papercut” features previous collaborator Cehryl, who also lent her smooth vocals to “If It Makes You Happy” and arrives via uber-hip tastemaker label Majestic Casual Records. Perfect for a lazy afternoon relaxing in the shade, this jam is sure to please existing Eli Way fans and will also serve as a welcome introduction to new ears who haven’t yet discovered his talent.

Disclosure: Eli Way is managed by Beautiful Buzzz contributor Eric Johnson

NIGHTSEASON - NOTHING CALMS MY MIND

Choosing a debut single as a brand new act is probably one of the most difficult decisions in an artist’s career. It’s the first impression, and you never get a second chance at it. Automatically and instantaneously you’re defining your sound and crossing your fingers in hopes that listeners have a meaningful reaction. Nightseason’s “Nothing Calms My Mind” is one of the more exciting and inventive debuts in recent memory, and it feels like this group already has a very developed idea of what their “sound” is.

Somewhere between the alternative/indie rock of bands like Kings of Leon and Sir Sly and the left of center pop stylings of groups like Electric Guest and Alt J, this new duo composed of drummer/producer Patrick Zeinali and singer/guitarist Jordan Caiola has come together as Nightseason to craft innovative yet infectious music. “Nothing Ever Calms My Mind”, which was released Friday by artist-friendly curation platform and label Noon Pacific, has already caught the attention of key industry tastemakers such as Hillydilly and landed on Spotify’s New Alternative playlist. An honest and introspective tune featuring Caiola’s gritty, mature vocal prowess and Zeinali’s slow-burning, forward-thinking production, it’s nothing short of an impressive first offering. What's more impressive is these dudes met over the internet and made an entire EP together over email while across the country from each other. We're eager to hear that EP and can only hope for more Nightseason soon in the weeks and months to come!

Left to right: Patrick Zeinali and Jordan Caiola are Nightseason.