‘Neiges / La Fournaise’ sees IMANU and The Caracal Project shine in a familiar light while simultaneously demonstrating their ability to push sonic boundaries. Regarding the song titles and theme behind the release, The Caracal Project states, “‘Neiges’ and ‘La Fournaise’ were named after the two volcanoes that gave birth to the island of ‘La Réunion’ which translates to ‘The Meeting’. In facts, Jonathan (IMANU) was born in Saint-Denis, capital of the island, and spent his first years there. I also had the opportunity to spend some time on the island when I was 8, because I have family there. So we chose to theme the release around this, something that tied us together before we could know each other.” Some would call it fate.

‘Neiges’ is an emotional cut that begins with an ethereal soundscape and lush textures before transitioning to a grittier sound near the thirty-five-second mark. A keen attention to detail from both makes ‘Neiges’ a beautifully conflicting track, as deep bass stabs are contrasted by angelic samples and an oddly soothing melody. The progression in energy is spine-chilling, with the second half showcasing the true genius of IMANU and The Caracal Project. In ‘La Fournaise,’ the producers tap josh pan for sinister vocals, layering them above their meticulous drum and bass production once again. Few can create such raw emotion with sound, but IMANU, The Caracal Project and josh pan have done so exquisitely while remaining true to their signature.

Don’t miss the incredible ‘Neiges / La Fournaise’ below.

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Enter Matter: a fellow champion of the underground with a re-imagined vision for what a music streaming platform can be. Created by forward-thinking artists (including Josh Pan and Ryan Jacob), for artists, the project has undertaken the monumental challenge of building a culture-driven all-in-one hub for creators and fans to thrive together. We connected with founder and CEO, Paul Meed, to delve deeper into Matter’s approach to creating a new kind of application that better serves the modern needs of the music industry.

What separates Matter from other music streaming platforms?

Matter exists a bit separate from other music platforms in that we’re more than just a streaming platform. We strive to give creators from all sectors (music, culture, fashion, etc.) a new, sustainable way to showcase their art. The platform helps bridge the gap between creators and fans, while also making sure that smaller creators, brands, and collectives can be paid easily.

We didn’t want to pin ourselves against streaming giants, we want to deliver a platform that would be a digital culture epicenter

What does ‘beyond streaming’ allude to? How does Matter bring this to life?

Beyond streaming is based on the fact that we operate differently from the typical music platform model: where users pay a subscription to a company, and the company divides that between artists based on stream count. We didn’t want to pin ourselves against streaming giants, we want to deliver a platform that would be a digital culture epicenter.

Matter takes a different approach where our focus is on offering new means of engagement and monetization. It doesn’t matter if you’re a touring artist or a bedroom producer. We’re building tools that will allow anyone to leverage the internet to better achieve their dreams.

How can artists and content creators use Matter to make more meaningful connections with their fans?

It’s designed to be a place where you can authentically put yourself out there to your audience. Show them who you are with your music, your mind, your taste, your photos. You can talk to your fans in real time, put on a masterclass for them, or encourage them to get creative by posting stems and holding a remix competition. The possibilities are endless really.

In a world so saturated with content, ‘exclusive’ content on its own is not enough of a driving factor for an artist to monetize better, they need to be delivering experiences that a fan will walk away remembering and sharing with their community.

We’re stoked about Artist Clubs. Can you elaborate on how they work? What makes them different from services like Patreon?

Artist clubs are a great way to engage and build a community. Best of all, any creator can set up a club. During the uploading process, you can elect to keep content public or place it behind a subscription to your personal pass. As an alternative, you can provide discounts to your supporters for marketplace items. There’s also a built in function to maintain privacy by filtering your direct messages to supporters only.

There are a few key differences we see: we believe that the jump between a casual listener and a super fan isn’t discrete. Platforms like Patreon put the fan in the position of “pay now, or no content,” they also focus creator monetization entirely on the subscription. Instead, Matter uses it more parallel to a Costco membership. Get a fan’s foot in the door at a reasonable price point, introduce them to your back catalog, and allow them to connect with you in a more intimate environment. Their fandom and connection with you grows – from there, you provide them with discounts on high margin activities and products, unique things like a 1 on 1 call giving feedback on their music, recording a voicemail for them, drum kits, signed merch, etc. In a world so saturated with content, ‘exclusive’ content on its own is not enough of a driving factor for an artist to monetize better, they need to be delivering experiences that a fan will walk away remembering and sharing with their community.

Another point was issues of discovery and growth on Patreon. In the Patreon user flow you’re never really prompted to support other people on the platform, and there hardly exists means of discovery. If you make a page without existing audiences coming from your YouTube page or podcast, it’s nearly impossible to actually grow. To be successful on Patreon you need an existing fanbase; with Matter we want to be your first and last destination for fan and community support.

Any exciting features on your roadmap?

Most definitely! Along with our growing community, our roadmap is something that keeps us motivated to work harder each day. Bear in mind, what you see on the platform today is still very early. Over the next few months you can expect things like live-streaming, customizable visualizers, DSP integration, traffic sourcing engine, unique ways to collaborate on projects, and more (alongside tech upgrades like performance refactor, better mobile apps, and an electron desktop app).

What are the advantages of using cryptocurrency/blockchain in the context of Matter?

We keep it simple with respect to blockchain use. The value of blockchain technology can be a part of our stack, without making it the headline, or something a user even notices going on – but they still benefit from it.

Initially, we planned to have our own currency but quickly realized that it would be a convoluted experience for users. It shouldn’t require esoteric knowledge on things like wallet security or trading. However, we use blockchain on Matter Smartsplits that allow you to share revenue with anyone on your team. That theme will play more of a role once we introduce the traffic sourcing/attribution engine (patent pending).

What areas do you see Matter succeeding where other projects have failed?

Each platform has their own strengths and weaknesses – but some of the more prevalent themes we go after:

Create exposure and monetization opportunities for the whole team of creatives, not just the lead artist. Allowing your art live alongside your branding and aesthetic. Contextual commerce, using exciting content to drive commerce. Easy social tools to promote and make content around your art. Transparency. Novel methods of monetization. Cross-platform engagement slippage (bring everything important together). Create financial motives for you to support genuinely great content. Hosting multidisciplinary content.

What steps does Matter take to avoid copyright issues? Is there a takedown policy?

As of now, we implement a pretty typical takedown process you would find on other user-generated content platforms. At later stages, we will be looking for direct deals that allow for more derivative work and artistic freedom.

As the music industry leans into leveraging the internet, what role do you see Matter playing in the streaming and content creation sphere?

Matter would sit as a digital hub for all kinds of creators. A location where they can create their art, build and engage their audience, and open new sustainable revenue streams.

The biggest players in the music scene have done little to adjust to the shifting landscape. Time and time again major record labels and ticketing services have done everything in their power to squeeze every last dollar out of a waning industry, leaving the artists who they profit off of begging for scraps. The time has come for relentless innovation and bold transformation. Matter brings something entirely new to the table: a home for all kinds of content creators, a groundbreaking medium for revenue, and an imaginative space for sincere connections.

Sign up for their Beta to experience the magic yourself.

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For some projects, the name of a song really has no meaning besides a joke or an allusion to a universal pop culture reference. This is absolutely not the case for the opening track of Under the Light of a Dying Moon, ‘Haunted’, as the goosebumps that will envelope your being are entirely palpable. Immediately one is drawn in with the soft sound of bells in the distance and a field recording of wind that slowly creeps louder, almost as if the piece is inching ever closer. Forlorn vocal notes quickly follow, accompanied by slow piano notes that firmly hold you entranced in the present. The pre-drop vocals of “why did you leave?” begins the overall tale of a love lost, and a human left to pick up the remaining pieces, missing vital pieces of their own existential jigsaw puzzle. The drop is overtly emotional and exceptionally well made, with the second half of the vocals “it’s haunted me” laid seamlessly over the top. This piece is an ode to the times when each of us have felt like we aren’t good enough due to the actions of someone that we held close, and the beginning of the uphill climb to perseverance and a renewal of faith.

Continuing the mightily dark and stylistic aesthetic already fiercely present in the project, ‘Hourglass’ is a sure sign that time is running out. A collaboration with the boundary-defying AWAY featuring chills-inducing vocals courtesy of the multi-talented Josh Pan, this could be the best vocal-heavy piece of the newly fresh year. This track spins a tale of a failed relationship, with a brooding, anguished air looming over. The title could be alluding to it only being a matter of time until things are done for good, the connection reaching a finality of severance.

‘Drowning in My Dreams’ comes next, definitely the lowest energy piece in this body of work. Featuring gorgeous vocals from Luma, it continues the story of a love lost, this time touching on the dreams that one has about that person that is no longer in their life. Even when you try your hardest to block out intrusive thoughts during the day, your subconscious when you’re asleep is not fully at your control, latching onto whatever means the most to you at the moment. Sorrow is at the forefront, with Luma’s vocals being especially powerful with a sense of mourning.

‘Sacrifice’ takes up the fourth spot in the EP, arguably my favorite piece on Under the Light of a Dying Moon. Featuring vocals from Ruby Red and a more upbeat ambiance, this feels like the first step on the path to healing. Things may not still be perfect, but they’re at least heading in the right direction. The drops are immaculately put together, with purring lows and scifi/videogame samples that add a touch of playfulness to the overall atmosphere. This track would be an absolute delight to get down to, and surely one that you’ll have on repeat.

‘Altar’ continues the trend of having exceptionally well-done vocals, this time courtesy of Sarah De Warren. She sings of being left at the altar, with the prevailing mood being very reflective and somber. The bass lines are exceedingly rich and full-bodied, pleasantly massaging your ear canals to peak pleasure. Forget a late-night glass of wine, push play on this marvelous piece and get the same soothing, relaxing effect.

‘Burn’ is the final track on the EP, with beautiful, rich vocals courtesy of Pauline Herr. ‘Burn’ could be a reference to how people burn the memories of a lost love, reminiscing on the times they had before turning them to the nothingness that the person will mean to them from that moment forward. A fitting goodbye to Under The Light Of A Dying Moon, you can let the sounds wash over you and fall away, drifting back to nothingness.

One of the most difficult challenges when making an EP or album is to make it a cohesive body of work that tells some kind of story. Hex Cougar absolutely knocked it out of the park for his debut, as Under The Light Of A Dying Moon feels like a love story come to life through vibration alone. The feelings you’ll experience and the goosebumps that will coat your body will be extremely real, almost as if it were you weaving the tale that’s playing out. Fans that have been waiting literal years for this to come out will not be disappointed in the slightest, and will be left eager to catch a set from him whenever he comes around. Check out Under The Light Of A Dying Moon for yourself below!

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As the first single from Hex Cougar’s upcoming debut EP, ‘Hourglass’ is an emotive, well-rounded production balanced by josh pan’s vivid vocal delivery. The introduction is a seamless meshing of crisp instrumentals layered underneath the poignant vocals, before josh pan’s contribution slowly gets muffled away at the seventy-second mark. As two of the most innovative producers that fall under the future bass umbrella, Hex Cougar and AWAY deliver a spine-tingling drop that will rattle you to your core through crisp synths and punchy percussion. Repeat that recipe twice with added flair in the latter half of the track and you get the heater that is ‘Hourglass.’ Don’t miss it below.

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‘Mask’ is a moving coalescence of each producer’s individual strengths. The introduction is reminiscent of ‘Movie’, with josh’s haunting vocals at the forefront over a tension-building soundscape. A gradual rise in energy leads to an innovative futuristic trap portion dominated by AWAY’s signature style. Crisp percussion, ominous vocals and barking fills dominate, leaving listeners intrigued and introspective.

‘Mask’ is accompanied by a similarly enthralling video. Check it out below!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/533227209″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]

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We aren’t even going to say that it isn’t what you’d expect to hear from josh pan, because that statement holds for almost every one of his releases. However, if you thought it might sound like josh pan (whatever that may be), scratch that thought from your mind. All that is known about the thought process behind ‘VOOM’ is that is was written in a day and is dedicated “to belle”, but that doesn’t matter as soon as you start listening. A catchy sample and heavy kick introduce a groovy pluck-driven melody from the very start, and the groove is kept alive until the last second. Although minimalist, ‘VOOM’ is incredibly catchy and simply makes you want to move.

A SoundCloud comment on the track reads “I love the part where he says voom”. After listening to it below, you’ll soon understand the irony. Enjoy!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/506950260″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]

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Now that that news is out of the way, what do we have you for this week? New fire from sumthin sumthin, Cozway, TroyBoi, Vince Staples, What So Not x Skrillex, JAUZ x YOOKiE x josh pan, umru x warpstr and much more! This week has been beyond amazing for releases so the playlists are stacked! The Spotify playlist also features new heaters from Logic’s Bobby Tarantino II, while SoundCloud has those under the radar gems and bootlegs.

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