• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Manhattan Digest

All you need to know about Manhattan culture and so much more...

  • LIFESTYLE
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • LGBT
  • OPINION
  • TECHNOLOGY

dance

Album Review: Factory Floor – Self-Titled

by Rio Toro

factory-floor-factory-floor

Factory Floor: Self-Titled

Similar Artists: Blondes, Cold Cave, Peaking Lights, Throbbing Gristle

Genre: just read the review

Label: DFA

 

New Order may have started the whole alternative dance movement in the 80’s, but with all the varying sub-genres of Alt-Dance and Indie-Dance in 2013 we couldn’t possibly thank New Order for all of it (we could probably thank James Murphy for most of the recent strands though). For instance, Factory Floor are a band who draws influence from an incredibly diverse background; most of it which doesn’t even relate to dance music in the slightest. Categorized by sharp tones and rapid-fire arpeggiators, elements of their sound can be traced to noise, post-punk, industrial, ambient, disco, acid house, no wave, and psych-rock to name a few.

We’ve all heard acts that have attempted this kind of skewed, psychotropic genre melding before — hell, there are even entire labels devoted to noise-techno nowadays — but the thing is, Factory Floor merge these competing styles with a hard hitting, minimalist edge, and they come off with a rather concise sound palette despite their wide array of influences. In fact, the tracks off of this long awaited self-titled debut are just about everything but overblown, as it’s not uncommon for the trio to consciously repeat a single synth line for upwards of ten minutes. It’s a good thing, then, that this trio understands the power that comes with repetition. They come off as engineers first and musicians second, as their tracks evolve through the use of effects and filters rather than chord changes. However, what they lack in melody they more than make up for in momentum; even at its most experimental, Factory Floor never loses its heady appeal.

Seriously though, don’t let the off-kilter design fool you, this is an album meant to move  to; or to borrow a track name, to “Work Out” to. Excepting the somewhat unnecessary interludes (titled “One” “Two” and “Three” respectively) this is the kind of album that will ignite dance floors. Just about every time I’m about to say a track isn’t doing much for me, it magically picks up and kicks me into a steadfast, krautrock infused groove. And just because the trio are wholeheartedly devoted to the principle of repetition doesn’t mean they don’t find interesting ways to make their music evolve. Nik Colk Void’s robotic, reverbed vocals — which land somewhere between Kim Gordon’s and Peaking Lights’ Indra Dunis’ — add necessary depth, and her lyrics are effectively used to build a sense of claustrophobic tension. Early single “Fall Back” is the best example of this, as Void asks /did it feel like you were going to fall on the ground?/ in a flat, emotionless tone that captures the group at their most unified. The vocals are never the defining element of the music though, and they do occasionally feel like a needless distraction. The percussion, however — as on most DFA releases — is downright tangible, and the heavy assortment of snare hits, hi-hats, bongos, and kick drums work in unison to create some truly epic and unexpected climaxes.

As much as I love many of these tracks, this isn’t an album you’re going to want to play on repeat for hours on end.  It’s under an hour — which isn’t particularly long for a techno full length — but while each track sees a slight stylistic change in sound, they all give off a similar effect. As a whole, Factory Floor  can come off as slightly underwhelming; the aforementioned interludes sound like afterthoughts, and “Breathe In” is a particularly anticlimactic closer. It leads one to believe that these tracks would work better as singles, when they can play their part within a larger, culminating DJ set. It represents the difference between a good album and a good set of songs; needless to say, this is more the latter.

Every year, dance music has been becoming more and more popular within the once quite conservative world of indie rock. Factory Floor isn’t anywhere near as accessible as some of the recently acclaimed dance albums (Disclosure’s Settle for instance), and it isn’t the second coming of LCD Soundsystem that some fans originally hoped, but it just might happen to be some kind of breaking point for the genre. I have yet to show someone “Fall Back” — or any of the other singles off this album for that matter — who weren’t immediately intrigued by the edgy, no-bullshit feel this group has going for it. If these tracks are used the way they should be by DJ’s and producers alike, they just might happen to take us to new heights.

 

Track Listing:

1.) Turn It Up*

2.) Here Again*

3.) One

4.) Fall Back*

5.) Two

6.) How You Say

7.) Two Different Ways*

8.) Three

9.) Work Out*

10.) Breathe In

 

Album Highlight – *

 

 

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, OPINION, REVIEWS Tagged With: Album Review, alternative, dance, DFA, factory floor, music

Charity, Music, and Prom; My interview with Brittany Smooch

by Ryan Shea

Brittany Smooch
Brittany Smooch

Brittany Smooch is a young, up and coming teen pop star and Hip Hop artist.  Brittany’s music is fun and catchy and her personality is similar.  I had the pleasure of speaking to Brittany yesterday about her music and charity work she has participated in.  On the phone, Brittany seems sweet and determined.  She knows what her goals are and she is pursuing them with great success.  Brittany recently did work with the WGirls for their charity Project G.L.A.M, which gives prom dresses and accessories to girls who can not afford them. You can check it out at http://www.wgirls.org/get-involved/project-glam/

 

Brittany Smooch at Project G.L.A.M
Brittany Smooch at Project G.L.A.M

As soon as Brittany answered I knew she was going to be fun to interview.

When did you get into hip-hop?

I have always been into hip-hop music.  But when I started writing my own songs it just came out that way.  It just sounded like a rap.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in music?

I have been involved in music my whole life!  At 5 years old I was taking singing lessons and by 7 I was writing my own music.  I have always known that this is what I wanted to do.

Who is your favorite rapper?

Oh my God!  I have so many favorites.  But I guess if I had to pick it would be T.I.  He is amazing!

You have a unique Urban style, where do you love to shop?

I love Patricia Field.  They have a store in the City and the clothes are so crazy and cool.  I really like anything that has a unique feel.  I also really like Betsey Johnson.

Brittany Smooch
Brittany Smooch

How did you become involved with the WGirls and Project G.L.A.M?

I have always been involved with charity work.  I really enjoy it.  I was working with the NY city charity NY Cares and when the chance to do Project G.L.A.M came along I took it.  Its really an awesome charity and I love being able to help young girls.

This charity is so amazing, and it must have been cool to see the girls faces as they got their dresses, how was that?

Seeing their faces was priceless.  Watching the girls try on dresses and find ones they loved was really exciting.

Brittany Smooch at Project G.L.A.M
Brittany Smooch at Project G.L.A.M
Brittany Smooch Project G.L.A.M
Brittany Smooch Project G.L.A.M

What did you wear to your prom?

Well, I’ve actually been to a few proms.  But my favorite dress was one I wore to a Long Island prom.  It was really girly and looked like a Princess dress.  It was pink and lacey.  Usually I don’t like really girly clothes but this dress was beautiful and really made me feel like a princess.

Do you have any advice for prom goers this year?

“Don’t fall into peer pressure.”  Have fun and enjoy this time in your life but don’t think you have to do something you don’t want to.  That is really important to me.

What do you have coming up?

Well, I just released my EP and now I am working on my new album.  I just finished up my High School concert tour and am getting ready for my next performance.  I am performing at Six Flags Boston on June 29th.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

Well of course, T.I. since he’s my favorite rapper, but I also think it would be really cool to work with powerful women in music.  I’d love to do something with Nicki Minaj, Fergie, or Britney Spears.

What is one lyric to describe your life right now?

It would definitely have to be the chorus of my song, “Super Turned Up.”  Because that’s how everything in my life is right now, “Super Turned Up.”

You can check out Brittany Smooch on her website http://www.brittanysmooch.com/

Follow Brittany Smooch
Follow Brittany Smooch

 

You can also check out her interview in Vibe magazine.

http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-brittany-smooch-booty-bounce-gal-behind-booty

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, NEW YORK, STYLE, U.S., uncategorized Tagged With: betsey johnson, britney spears, brittany smooch, charity, clothes, dance, dancing, fergie, hip hop, long island, music, NEW YORK, nicki minaj, NY, patricia field, project G.L.A.M, project glam, prom, prom dress, rap, t.i., Urban, vibe, vibe magazing, wgirls

Dance Moms Recap – Aspects of Love

by David Baxter

abbyleemillerdance80371Last time on Dance Moms, Abby broke down because of her dog and the moms broke down just because! Let’s move on. [Read more…] about Dance Moms Recap – Aspects of Love

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, TELEVISION Tagged With: abby, dance, dance moms, dance moms recap, recap

Dance Music at the Grammy’s

by Ryan Shea

left

Dance music has come a long way in the past decade.  From music you could only hear at 5 am in NYC at clubs like Sound Factory and Crobar, to now being played out by commercialized mainstream radio.  Dance music is beats and vocals dubbed together by artists who can hear melodies where others do not.  Having said this, it is amazing to see these artists being honored, as musicians, at the Grammy awards.

The nominees for Best Dance Recording are all very talented DJ’s.  Avicii is a great DJ who brought dance music to the mainstream when Flo Rida remixed his song Levels.  Although he should be recognized for helping bring dance music to the forefront of American radio, I don’t think he deserves the Grammy this year.  The Best Dance Recording, in my opinion, belongs to Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin, Don’t you Worry Child.  This song mixes beautiful vocals and lyrics with genius melodies and beats.  Not only can you sing along to this track but you can also get lost in its atmosphere.  Swedish House Mafia is a trio of talented DJ’s and ingenious producers.  They mix just the right amount of commercial feel to get radio air time and still keep the respect of dance music lovers around the world.

The Grammy for the Best Dance/Electronica Album hands down belongs to Kaskade Fire and Ice.  Kaskade is one of the few American DJs and producers to draw followers around the world.  In 2011 Kaskade was voted America’s Best DJ 2011 by www.djtimes.com.  The Fire and Ice album peaked at #17 on the US Charts and #1 on the US Dance Charts.  Kaskade brings together different artists and other DJs in this album and still manages to keep his authentic sound.  The album includes two discs’ (Fire and Ice) which contain the same tracks but mixed in two completely different ways.  Fire is smooth and alluring, while Ice is loud and hard.  Although the same songs, each disc feels and sounds completely unique.  Kaskade deserves this award, in my opinion, and I believe will take home the Grammy this year.  Although the other albums in this category are all great none has the originality and range of skill like Kaskade Fire and Ice.

 

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, OPINION Tagged With: avicii, dance, dance music, dj, dont you worry child song, edm, electro, fire and ice album, grammy, grammy awards, house music, kaskade, producers, review, shm, swedish house mafia, techno, techno music

Primary Sidebar

Navigation

  • HOME
  • OPINION
    • REVIEWS
  • BUSINESS
  • LGBT
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • ARTS
    • MOVIES
    • MUSIC
    • TELEVISION
    • THEATRE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • TRAVEL
    • FASHION
    • HEALTH
    • FOODIE
    • STYLE
  • POLITICS
  • SCIENCE
  • SPORTS
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • U.S.
    • NEW YORK

Footer

  • ADVERTISE
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • CAREERS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Legal

Copyright © 2023 · ManhattanDigest.com is run by Fun & Joy, LLC an Ohio company · Log in

 

Loading Comments...