Tag: Makeness

Makeness earns a lot of “Friend Credits” with his new single.

Following in the footsteps of his highly acclaimed debut album, Loud Patterns,
Makeness invites us to jump aboard his latest single release – a laid-back downhill anthem.

A crafty blend of; east coast house, jazz laced chords, soaring leads and a lazy groove combine to give the track an effortless feel while the bridging elements and rhythmic breakdown create a euphoric path, awash with pathos and emotion. All this lays the foundation perfectly for Molleson’s ethereal vocal which floats over the top and drags you in even deeper.


Makeness, AKA Kyle Molleson, lives in South East London but has his roots in Scotland’s remote Outer Hebrides. These contrasting environments can be heard through his music with driving rhythms against a laid back pace and the embrace of both pop and the avante-guard. “Friend Credits” takes the listener on a journey of blissful fascination with its relentless building energy and sets a steady course for a summer classic.


Look out for remix duties by South East London’s prolific Ben Hauke released on 4th September, offering a definitive high octane flip to this original cosmic banger. “Friend Credits” was mastered at the Green Door Studios and is released digitally through EPM & Xelon (AU) on the 28th of August.

Keep your mind open.

[You’d earn friend credits with me if you subscribed.]

[Thanks to Aaron at Paradise Palms Records.]

Top 30 Albums of 2018: #’s 30 – 26

Here’s the list you’ve all been waiting for. As always, there are so many good albums out every year that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. Here are my top thirty.

#30: The Dunes (self-titled) – A great return for the Dunes, this album of Australian psychedelic rock is full of reverb, fuzz, and even surf touches.

#29: Underworld and Iggy Pop – Teatime Dub Encounters – This EP was made during lunch meetings at a hotel and blends great stories from Pop with Underworld’s masterful beats.

#28: Avis: Sova – Shampoo You – This Chicago’s three-piece’s newest garage rock-psych record gets better with each listen.

#27: Windhand – Eternal Return – This doom metal album became one of my favorites of the year as soon as I heard it. I immediately began recommending them to anyone and even bought it as a birthday gift for a pal.

#26: Makeness – Loud Patterns – This electro album wasn’t on my radar until Makeness’ label sent it to me for review. It turned out to be a solid record with interesting structures to it.

We’re into the top 25 tomorrow. Come back for more!

Keep your mind open.

[Make your way over to the subscription box before you go.]


Makeness – Loud Patterns

Kyle Molleson, otherwise known as Makeness, has given us a record that sounds like meticulous electronica and yet moves like free-flowing dance tracks at the same time – Loud Patterns.

The title track opens the record, bringing to mind a jungle DJ putting down tracks at a party in the House on Haunted Hill.  “Fire Behind the Two Louis” is as slick and hot as a grease fire.  “Who Am I to Follow Love” has lovely female vocals behind Molleson’s drums and sounds that make for good lounge slow jams.

“Stepping Out of Sync” has fat bass and more lounge synths combining for one of the best cuts on the record.  “Gold Star” is another choice cut, with big synths and floor-shaking dance beats throughout it.  I don’t know if the bass in “The Bass Rock” refers to fish or low-end sounds.  I’m guessing the former because the bass grooves on it are somewhat subdued.

“Day Old Death” is a bit creepy, as you’d expect from such a title.  I like the metronome-like beat in it to remind you of some masked killer stalking you.  The building synth-bass of “Rough Moss” has a great payoff.  It might be the most danceable song on the record.  “Our Embrace” is as jubilant as you hope it would be with such a title.  The synths are bright and bouncy and the drums keep you moving.  The bass on “14 Drops” is so fat that it needs to go on a diet.  The album ends with the appropriately titled “Motorcycle Idling,” because that’s just what it sounds like for a little over three minutes.

Loud Patterns is indeed both loud and full of wicked beat patterns.  It bodes well for Makeness’ future, and for your next party.

Keep your mind open.

[Step over to the subscription box before you go.]

 

Makeness shares new single from upcoming album – “Loud Patterns”

Makeness Shares New Single “Who Am I To Follow Love”
https://youtu.be/4Utof_SCsW8

Loud Patterns Out April 6th On Secretly Canadian
https://makeness.lnk.to/loudpatterns

North American Tour With Unknown Mortal Orchestra Starts This Month


[Loud Patterns artwork]
Scottish producer Makeness has shared another new single from his debut album, Loud Patterns, coming out this Friday, April 6th via Secretly Canadian. Crafting tracks which make a virtue of disparate influences, the sparkling “Who Am I To Follow Love” sees Kyle Molleson team up with Babeheaven vocalist Nancy Andersen to create a reflective mood and showcase another side to his versatile songwriting talents. The track is accompanied by a new webpage designed by Kyle, featuring a collection of images documenting the making of Loud Patterns.

Loud Patterns is an album that’s noticeably indebted to house and techno; there are 4/4 rhythms, and a no-nonsense directness that harks back to the Detroit pioneers. Channeling avant-garde experimentalism and an outsider’s interest in pop, Kyle embraces the distance between those two poles. The album arrives after a series of releases that have established his particular, in-between approach to dance-minded music. He put out two EPs on Manchester-based imprint Handsome Dad, a one-off single with Adult Jazz and the self-released Temple Works EP; Whities also released a limited-edition white label of a Minor Science dub of one of his tracks.

Following the release of Loud Patterns, Makeness will tour with label kin Unknown Mortal Orchestraacross North America and parts of Europe.

Listen To Makeness’ “Who Am I To Follow Love”:
https://youtu.be/4Utof_SCsW8
Watch & Listen:
“Stepping Out Of Sync” video – https://youtu.be/_SaXuy2isS0
“Day Old Death” video – https://youtu.be/m6n5q58560M
“Day Old Death” stream – https://makeness.lnk.to/dayolddeath
“Loud Patterns” stream – https://youtu.be/RZF0rp1Ujbc
Makeness Tour Dates:
April 12 – @ London, UK @ Corsica Studios
April 22 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 23 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 27 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 30 – Boston, MA @ Royale w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 1 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 2 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 3 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 7 – Seattle, WA @ The Moore Theatre w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 8 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 9 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 10 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 12 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 18 – Hamburg, Germany @ Uebel & Gefährlich w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 19 – Berlin, Germany @ Kesselhaus w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 20 – Heidelberg, Germany @ Karlstorbahnhof w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 21 – Düsseldorf, Germany @ zakk w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 22 – Paris, France @ La Gaîté Lyrique w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 24 – London, United Kingdom @ Roundhouse w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 25 – Bristol, United Kingdom @ SWX w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 31 – Edinburgh, United Kingdom @ Hidden Door
September 1 – Dumfries & Galloway, United Kingdom @ Drumlanrig Castle (Electric Fields Festival)

[Photo by Dexter Lander]
Pre-order Loud Patterns – https://makeness.lnk.to/loudpatterns
Keep your mind open.
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Makeness to unleash debut album and tour in April.

Makeness Announces Debut Album, Loud Patterns,
Out April 6th On Secretly Canadian

Watch The Video For New Single “Stepping Out Of Sync”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SaXuy2isS0

North American & European Tours With Unknown Mortal Orchestra This Spring

Makeness is pleased to announce his debut album, Loud Patterns, coming out April 6th on Secretly Canadian. Crafting tracks which make a virtue of disparate influences, Kyle Molleson manages to pull off something difficult: songs which have been tirelessly worked on, although sound loose-limbed and to-the-point.

Loud Patterns is noticeably indebted to house and techno; there are 4/4 rhythms, and a no-nonsense directness that harks back to the Detroit pioneers. Channeling avant-garde experimentalism and an outsider’s interest in pop, Kyle embraces the distance between those two poles.

Loud Patterns arrives after a series of releases that have established his particular, in-between approach to dance-minded music. He put out two EPs on Manchester-based imprint Handsome Dad, a one-off single with Adult Jazz and self-released Temple Works EP; Whities also released a limited-edition white label of a Minor Science dub of one of his tracks.

Along with today’s announcement, Makeness is sharing a video for his new single, “Stepping Out Of Sync.” “‘Stepping Out Of Sync’ for me is about losing a little bit of a grip on reality,” says Kyle. “There’s a big nod to the world of pop music in the track and I wanted to reflect that in the video too. Josha and Felix, who directed the video, came up with this great time splicing technique using a custom 3-camera rig. The idea was to use the technique as a character in the video to add a sense of detachment from reality and subtly invert the upbeat aspect of the music. I had also been talking to my friend Maddie who is a brilliant dancer about working on some choreography for the video. These aspects seemed to come together perfectly when Josha and Felix started sending ideas across. I think the video really captures the range of emotions that exist in the track, it’s upbeat and positive aspect alongside a layer of dissonance and confusion that lies under the surface.”

Following the release of Loud Patterns, Makeness will tour with label kin Unknown Mortal Orchestra across North America and parts of Europe. Makeness will play his largest venues to date since his last North American trip with Jungle in December 2017. A full list of dates is below.

Watch Makeness’ “Stepping Out Of Sync” Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SaXuy2isS0

Watch & Listen:
“Day Old Death” video – https://youtu.be/m6n5q58560M
“Day Old Death” stream – https://makeness.lnk.to/dayolddeath
“Loud Patterns” stream – https://makeness.lnk.to/loudpatterns
Makeness Tour Dates:
March 1 – March 3 – Oslo, Norway @ by:Larm
April 12 – @ London, UK @ Corsica Studios
April 22 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 23 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 27 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
April 30 – Boston, MA @ Royale w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 1 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 2 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 3 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 7 – Seattle, WA @ The Moore Theatre w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 8 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 9 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 10 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 12 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 18 – Hamburg, Germany @ Uebel & Gefährlich w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 19 – Berlin, Germany @ Kesselhaus w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 20 – Heidelberg, Germany @ Karlstorbahnhof w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 21 – Düsseldorf, Germany @ zakk w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 22 – Paris, France @ La Gaîté Lyrique w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 24 – London, United Kingdom @ Roundhouse w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
May 25 – Bristol, United Kingdom @ SWX w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Loud Patterns Tracklist:
1. Loud Patterns
2. Fire Behind The 2 Louis
3. Who Am I To Follow Love
4. Stepping Out Of Sync
5. Gold Star
6. The Bass Rock
7. Day Old Death
8. Rough Moss
9. Our Embrace
10. 14 Drops
11. Motorcycle Idling


Photo by Dexter Lander

Makeness releases new single, “Loud Patterns,” on new label – Secretly Canadian.

Makeness Signs To Secretly Canadian
& Shares New Single “Loud Patterns”
Listen Here

November/December North American Tour Dates With Jungle

Up and coming Scottish producer Makeness, aka Kyle Molleson, has signed to Secretly Canadian and debuted his new single, “Loud Patterns.”

“Loud Patterns” is framed by thundering, low-end frequencies that capture a raw, frenetic energy. It offsets this abrasive shell with intricate synthetic soundscapes and vocal melodies, teasing elements from his forthcoming record. This marks Makeness’s first new music following support slots with Holy F**k, Midland and Avalon Emerson and June’s self-released Temples Works EP.

From the expansive electronica of his debut four track Rogue EP in 2015 — a record that drew comparisons to Jon Hopkins — to 2016’s collaboration with Tri Angle Records’ Adult Jazz, and the post-punk flecked disco of single “Other Life,” Makeness has always been keen to explore new landscapes. “Loud Patterns” is a testament to this exploratory spirit and with it, his continued musical evolution.

Starting next month, Makeness will support Jungle on a two-week North American tour. These shows mark Makeness’ first time performing live in the states. A full list of dates is below.

Listen To Makeness’ “Loud Patterns”:
https://youtu.be/RZF0rp1Ujbc
https://makeness.lnk.to/loudpatterns
Makeness Tour Dates:
Sat. Oct. 28 – Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling
Fri. Nov. 3 – Leeds, UK @ Beacons Metro
Tue. Nov. 28 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
Wed. Nov. 29 – Montreal, QC @ Corono Theatre
Thu. Nov. 30 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
Sat. Dec. 2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
Mon. Dec. 4 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Wed. Dec. 6 – Miami, FL @ The Ground
Thu. Dec. 7 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre

Makeness releases new single from EP due out June 16th.

Makeness Shares New Track, “Micro Boss”:
https://soundcloud.com/makeness/makeness-micro-boss
https://youtu.be/rbl7TyY2NsA

Taken From Temple Works EP Out June 16th
On Makeness’ Temple Works Label

Makeness, aka Kyle Molleson, is sharing another single from his forthcoming Temple Works EP ahead of its release this Friday, June 16th. Premiered via XLR8R, the hard-hitting “Micro Boss” picks up where previous single “Carved” left off. Makeness pushes into deeper and darker territory here. His production is a lesson in restraint. Something he’s practiced DJing alongside the likes of Midland, Leon Vynehall and Factory Floor.

The roots of Temple Works date back to the producer’s time in Leeds, which played an important part in both this release and his wider love for dance music. While there, Molleson recorded a friend’s percussion project, G-Bop Orchestra, at an old textile mill in Holbeck, known as Temple Works. The vast openness of the space made for the best natural reverb and is weaved throughout the title track. It was also in Leeds where the producer discovered Cosmic Slop, an all welcoming party with a sound system built by founder and resident DJ, Tom Smith, with donations going towards raising money for local charity MAP (Music and Arts Production). Slop’s intimate and flawless sounding room played a huge part in cementing Makeness’ love for club spaces.

Temple Works is out June 16th on Makeness’ Temple Works Label.