Diving Deeper Into Contemporary Dance Music as Dubstep Prince Rise From the Dead With Two-Part Sophomore Album
Sinusoidal Weekly Highlights
Welcome to Sinusoidal Music’s weekly newsletter. Every Monday, we shall present you with the latest insights into the music business, production tips for musicians, the hottest new releases, and everything in between!
Music Buzz > What are the paparazzi after?
Skrillex just dropped his star-studded, long-awaited full-length record
Nine long years after his debut “Recess” in 2014, Skrillex, the American DJ and music producer, has surprised fans with the release of not one, but two albums in quick succession. His third studio album, "Don't Get Too Close," features an impressive lineup of collaborators including Yung Lean, Bladee, Chief Keef, Justin Bieber, PinkPantheress, Trippie Redd, Bibi Bourelly, Kid Cudi, and more. The album was released via Owsla/Atlantic and has already been well-received by fans and critics alike.
In addition to the release of "Don't Get Too Close," Skrillex also dropped his second solo venture, "Quest for Fire," on February 17th. This album features a range of collaborations with artists such as Missy Elliott, Mr Oizo, Porter Robinson, Pete Wentz, Aluna, Bibi Bourelly, and Beam, among others. The album also includes several singles, such as "Butterflies," "Too Bizarre," and "Supersonic (My Existence).
Skrillex has been busy promoting his new music with impromptu performances, including a recent set on a converted school bus in Times Square. After his debut EP “My Name is Skrillex” (2009), Sonny Moore has continued to push the boundaries of EDM with his innovative and face-melting productions. With the release of his two-part solo album and a range of collaborations with some of the biggest names in music, Skrillex continues to solidify his status as one of the most influential and groundbreaking artists in the contemporary EDM and Dubstep scene.
Music Through the Ages > Lesser known facts about how music shaped the world
The evolution of contemporary dance music
Dance music has gone through significant changes and transformations since its inception as an offshoot of funk and traditional ballroom music in the 1960s. Over the decades, different genres and sub-genres have emerged, evolved and merged with each other, giving birth to newer styles.
The 1960s marked the birth of dance music with the emergence of Motown and soul music, which had a significant influence on the popular music scene. Upbeat synth music became popular in the 1970s, with its funky beats and danceable rhythms, and soon became the anthem of the disco era. The 1980s saw the rise of electronic music, with the introduction of synthesizers and drum machines, which gave birth to new genres like techno, house, and acid house.
The 1990s saw a resurgence of dance music with the rise of rave culture and the emergence of new genres like trance, drum and bass, and trip-hop. The rise of DJs and the increasing popularity of electronic dance music festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival paved the way for the commercial success of EDM in the 2000s. The early 2000s saw artists like David Guetta and Daft Punk breaking sales records. In recent years, dance music has continued to evolve with the emergence of new sub-genres like deep house, dubstep, and LoFi.
Sinusoidal Spotlight > Our pick of the latest indie releases
Alec Berlin - Beat Confabulator
Alec Berlin's latest release "Beat Confabulator (All Night on the Floor)" is a hybrid of progressive jazz and alternative rock that takes a few listens to fully appreciate. The guitar riffs boast of overdriven octave tones amidst a hairy bassline that compliments the drummer's groove. Berlin's gritty guitar tone cuts through the mix like a hot knife in butter, showcasing his impeccable talent as a blues/jazz guitarist. Beat Confabulator is a must-listen for fans of progressive music and an excellent piece of articulate songwriting venturing into the realms of prog and psychedelia.
Musician’s Toolkit > Secret production tips for pros
The difference between a graphic and parametric EQ
Equalizers are essential tools in music production and can be used to shape the tone of a waveform. There are two main types of equalizers used in music production - graphic and parametric equalizers.
A graphic equalizer divides the frequency range into fixed frequency bands that can be boosted or cut using sliders. Graphic equalizers are easy to use and provide a visual representation of the frequency spectrum, allowing for quick adjustments. They are commonly used in live sound applications, where quick adjustments need to be made on the fly. Graphic equalizers are also commonly found in guitar pedals, allowing guitarists to engage and disengage a preset EQ at any stage of their signal chain.
On the other hand, a parametric equalizer allows for precise adjustments to specific frequency ranges. A parametric equalizer has three main controls - centre frequency, bandwidth, and gain. The centre frequency determines the frequency being adjusted, while the bandwidth determines how wide or narrow the adjustment will be. The gain control allows for boosting or cutting of the selected frequency. Parametric equalizers are commonly used in studio environments, where precise tonal adjustments are required.
In conclusion, both have their specific uses. It is important to understand which context you are applying the effect to. With a little bit of a learning curve, equalisation becomes a valuable and versatile tool for a musician while dealing with room acoustics, or for finding the right tone to fit in the mix.
Playlist of the Week > Sinusoidal’s assortment of trending playlists for every mood
Vibes of Future Past
A collection of synth-based music ranging from retro vibes to modern beats. This week’s pick for the playlist pays respect to the innovative use of synthesizers in music production. With a variety of indie artists who have made an attempt to incorporate dance elements in their productions, Vibes of Future Past is the perfect blend of modern and retro dance music. Ranging from atmospheric tracks to more upbeat ones, this playlist proves to be a valuable addition to any collection.