With pioneering electronic music artist deadmau5 at the helm the mau5trap label have never been ones to do things by the book, and the new ‘We Are Friends’ compilation showcases their fresh and forward thinking attitude in abundance. Priding themselves on being committed to uncovering and supporting fresh talent, the compilation gathers together nine tracks that have been collected via demo submissions and participants in the revelatory mau5hax concept from earlier this year.
The compilation features a diverse collection of tracks from established artists and relative unknowns alike, spanning from Moda founding member and interstellar frequency creator Tom Staar to brand new talents like Buddygirrl and Henry Gould. The result is an exploratory nine-track album of unique music. From progressive house to gritty electro, dubstep mutations to glitch hop, this is another bold statement from a label intent on staying ahead of the pack and continuing to revolutionize dance music.
First up we have Tom Staar fresh from remixing Example setting the tone with ‘Home’ and most recently big in the record boxes of Alesso, Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso with Toms remix of 'African Drop' by Rob Marmot & My Digital Enemy; carving the skeleton of the track out of shimmering looped synths, deep atmospheres and a driving rhythm section, a drawn out euphoric build is whipped into a bouncy synth-led banger. James Njie returns to the label for the first time since last year’s ‘Meowingtons Hax’ compilation showcasing a newly refined take on his progressive sound on ‘Room Modes’ while Tom Neville contributes ‘Vision Flash’, a more minimalistic but no less muscular track.
Graduating from engineering duties at mau5hax, Heat Maxwell unveils his own production ‘Uprising’ showcasing a rugged, warping electro sound that is guaranteed to make a mark while Born Freak’s ‘Cocktail Bar’, a track that was originally sent over as a demo, proved too good to let go, joining the action here with its expansive synths and retro-tinged vibe.
Standout Mau5hax winners Henry Gould, River Accorsi and Buddygirrl all feature too, bringing their individual styles to the table. The trio were all brought to the label’s attention when they took part in mau5trap’s mau5hax session in Miami earlier this year after submitting winning tracks. The 12 hour production session saw them get to work in the studio aided by a host of the mau5trap roster, with everything being streamed live through deadmau5’s website.
Glitch hop group Kairo Kingdom completes the package with grimy production ‘The Sound Of Now’.
This compilation epitomizes what mau5trap is all about, showing their ability to step into the unknown and still do what they do best – breaking all the rules.
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#wearefriends
— mau5trap (@mau5trap) July 16, 2012
