Ranking: - Sullivan King & SVDDEN DEATH - Persuit Of Violence - Sullivan King & Kai Wachi - Riot - WHIPPED CREAM - Rewind… (I Love You) - GG Magree - Turn Me On - LissA & Lane Boy - Fire In Your Eyes - Britt Lari - Say My Name - Koven - Higher Ground (feat. Kairos Grove) - Godlands - u want me - SABAI & RUNN - Landslide - SKYLER & Josh Rubin - Fix Me - CHYL - Fool Me - IVORY - Mindbreak - Conro - Tell Me - Kelland & Adriano - Gotta Let Go - Teddy Killerz - Riders In The Sky - Mazare & RIENK - Kingslayer - Whales - New Worlds - Stonebank - Diving In
Silk hard carried again. Instinct is becoming the same dance house / pop stuff over and over again. Uncaged is inconsistent again. And this is the schedule we're getting going forward. Aether and Zensei were fantastic again and it was great to see Shingo. Koven released another Koven project. I'm getting kinda burned out from them. I liked Sully's LP, but nothing else on Uncaged or Instinct remotely interested me aside from Godlands and Mazare who are usually pretty great.
Highlighting Silk tracks that were good this month for Mcat better! If you like Sullivan King’s stuff it was a good month for ya but besides that average fs
Being quite honest, regardless the new Monstercat's weekly schedule, March was a pretty underwhelming and uninteresting month in terms of quality, but not completely mediocre. This time I feel Instinct was greatly affected in this sense for having brought to the table tracks with a more generic feel-good House concept I guess (well, except for Landslide because It's Melodub, but it didn't even hit). In few words, this sub-label was a complete letdown. However, and added to the sea of disappointments, Uncaged and Silk came to the rescue with a couple of outstanding tracks, some decent-enjoyable tunes and another amazing ones from Koven, Mazare, Stonebank, Sullivan King, Zensei and Aether. In other words, they're would be like the saviors of the month imo. Finally, Silk is taking this year It's not too bad and even the Organic House formula sounds more cohesive compared to their old ones in previous years, but still can't convey something in me and I need more time to empathize more with the label. Well and once all this is cleared up, here's my personal ranking of some Monstercat March 2023 releases, each one in the section corresponds to it: *Favorite releases (Highlights)* • *Aquamarine [9.6/10]* Just like Moonstone, this track didn't feel so special for some reason at first and grew on me now, appreciating more the lovely dreamy atmosphere and Chill-lofi upbeats, which are thousand times better than the other chill-calming ones. I really, really need more of this kind of tracks on Monstercat Silk. My respects to Aether for bringing us this beautiful piece to the orange label. • *14th Cannon [9.3/10]* I wasn't really that impressed with this at first and I ended up more fascinated with this after several listens. I underestimated a bit the last three tracks that, for me, were the most salvageable ones on the album and no, I'm not talking about those flat and lifeles pieces like Get Through, Lions VIP and Collecting Thoughts (no offense). Honestly, the jam House production are soo very catchy and groovy at the same time and that's pretty cool. The cherry of the cake was neither more nor less than the Hybrid Breaks sections, From minute 1:50 of the track to the end and about that, I still get Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse vibes for some reason. Finally, if Industrial Strain was the most highlight track from first part of Higher Ground, in this second part it's for 14th Cannon for giving us a proposal and sound quite different to what Koven usually brings us used to. • *Oasis [9.2/10]* Every day admiring more of good Zensei's Lofi stuff and Oasis could not be left behind. I honestly loved the mellow dreamy atmosphere and the Chill-lofi upbeats that are embedded on it gives it a nice touch, in addition to the hope and joy concept and all these elements together give me on a calming journey. Yes, I know that these kind of tracks aren't too special for some. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to listen to these soft sounds. *Good releases (Enjoyable ones)* • *Watch The Crown Fall [8.9/10]* Jesus Christ, this track it's DAMN INSANE!!!. I really appreciate and love every detail, every element of this track; The analogue-screechy background sounds and dark-tension atmosphere inside the intro, the creepy chants from the beginning and a super heavy DnB production, plus other extra elements like guitar riffs, as a whole they create an amazing balance for my ears. • *Diving In [8.8/10]* Definitely Stonebank it's a complete madlad when it comes with his diversity. The High-intensity Future Rave production it's well worked and reminds me alot to David Guetta, Hardwell and a bit of old Tïesto vibes, and Vocal-Driven sections are decent fine. I'm not a big fan of this, but it's better than Good For Me and even his last release. • *Kingslayer [8.7/10]* Mazare's first release of the year and I must say was very good in its own way. I liked the way in which Rock-DnB production progress and RIENK's vocals plays in his favor by giving a bit more sense to the atmosphere and concept of the track in general. Regarding the second drop, it's almost similar to Berserker, only lighter and shorter lasting, although was nice too. My only criticism about Kingslayer, is the fact that it follows the same direction of some Mazare's previous tracks and honestly it's not a thing that bothers me at all, but it does get repetitive and that makes it less surprising. • *It's Gonna Hurt [8.6/10]* I liked that Sully has included a bit of his melodic stuff on the LP and not only Death Metal, and It's Gonna Hurt is a good example of it. I'm into the Euphoria-based concept and Sully's vocal work, and the melodic impact on the melody have a decently good execution and it doesn't feel basic like Someone Else (sorry, but I didn't like that track so much). • *You Wanted [8.5/10]* If there is one thing that I will have to highlight about You Wanted, that is simply the intro... That intro, MY GOD!!; literally was the MOST EPIC part of the track, due to how well the apocalyptic concept is worked and you even feel it. As for the rest, Katie's euphoric vocal performance and faster liquid DnB are good elements to complete it, although I feel the last element I mentioned (DnB production) aren't too impressive. • *Higher Ground [8.3/10]* This was the most redeemable one from Higher Ground [Part 2]. The euphoria-based concept works well and the emotional impact, including Katie's vocal perfomance, it seemed decent to me after all. Regarding Kairos Grove's participation, honestly he did his job well and his voice on this was bittersweet and groovy. This really didn't feel too shocking and at least there are aspects that stand out and that's nice to recognize. • *Moonstone [8.3/10]* Since the new Aether EP just came out, hadn't generated as much excitement or interest in me towards Moonstone either. However, and after giving more listens to this one, I also managed to appreciate more the smooth and sad dreamy atmosphere. Maybe, Lofi-beats progression aren't too special and even then it's still a good track. *Worst releases (Garbage) - Top 3* • *Persuit Of Violence [6.5/10]* Unlike Road Dog Anthem, Riot and Let Me Go, Pursuit Of Violence is the least worst of the obnoxious Briddim Bass compilation on Thrones Of Blood LP, but it's not the best track I've heard either. The Intriguing dark atmosphere and Sully's asignature screamo were downright good, while hard-hitting drops sounds kinda decent, but obnoxious at the same time and that makes it somewhat unpleasant for me. • *Friends [5.0/10]* If there's one thing I can recognize from this track, that thing is just his nature. What do I mean by that?, that it leaves its comfort zone by giving us a different sound, but at the same time it doesn't feel as a track with the standardized dark minimalist sound that so characterizes the other Someone You Can Count On EP tracks. Unfortunately, however, the final result left me quite disappointed. WC's vocal perfomance and background piano it's pretty Ok I guess, but the Feel-good Trap melody base are very Radio-friendly and that's nothing good. • *New Worlds [3.0/10]* Of the two releases released by Whales this year, this one it's a complete bullshit. The Riddim Bass on this one it's just annoying and the only thing that I see remarkable about this one are the Breaks-sections, from there on out absolutely nothing. PS: An honorable mention to u want me and Came To Rage, since despite not having had the opportunity to add them to one of my sections due to matter of time, they have certain elements that made them stand out. In short, they are good tracks too, but not necessarily the best.
Aether, Shingo, and Odsen and singlehandedly the reasons why I still listen to silk
Ranking:
- Sullivan King & SVDDEN DEATH - Persuit Of Violence
- Sullivan King & Kai Wachi - Riot
- WHIPPED CREAM - Rewind… (I Love You)
- GG Magree - Turn Me On
- LissA & Lane Boy - Fire In Your Eyes
- Britt Lari - Say My Name
- Koven - Higher Ground (feat. Kairos Grove)
- Godlands - u want me
- SABAI & RUNN - Landslide
- SKYLER & Josh Rubin - Fix Me
- CHYL - Fool Me
- IVORY - Mindbreak
- Conro - Tell Me
- Kelland & Adriano - Gotta Let Go
- Teddy Killerz - Riders In The Sky
- Mazare & RIENK - Kingslayer
- Whales - New Worlds
- Stonebank - Diving In
This month was painfully mid for monstercat
MIDstercat
No Monstercat > NCS this month
Silk hard carried again. Instinct is becoming the same dance house / pop stuff over and over again. Uncaged is inconsistent again. And this is the schedule we're getting going forward. Aether and Zensei were fantastic again and it was great to see Shingo. Koven released another Koven project. I'm getting kinda burned out from them. I liked Sully's LP, but nothing else on Uncaged or Instinct remotely interested me aside from Godlands and Mazare who are usually pretty great.
Aether and zensei be carrying silk rn
Highlighting Silk tracks that were good this month for Mcat better! If you like Sullivan King’s stuff it was a good month for ya but besides that average fs
silk this month, and even year, has been absolutely popping off with the releases. Honestly my favorite part of the label atm
Being quite honest, regardless the new Monstercat's weekly schedule, March was a pretty underwhelming and uninteresting month in terms of quality, but not completely mediocre. This time I feel Instinct was greatly affected in this sense for having brought to the table tracks with a more generic feel-good House concept I guess (well, except for Landslide because It's Melodub, but it didn't even hit). In few words, this sub-label was a complete letdown. However, and added to the sea of disappointments, Uncaged and Silk came to the rescue with a couple of outstanding tracks, some decent-enjoyable tunes and another amazing ones from Koven, Mazare, Stonebank, Sullivan King, Zensei and Aether. In other words, they're would be like the saviors of the month imo.
Finally, Silk is taking this year It's not too bad and even the Organic House formula sounds more cohesive compared to their old ones in previous years, but still can't convey something in me and I need more time to empathize more with the label.
Well and once all this is cleared up, here's my personal ranking of some Monstercat March 2023 releases, each one in the section corresponds to it:
*Favorite releases (Highlights)*
• *Aquamarine [9.6/10]*
Just like Moonstone, this track didn't feel so special for some reason at first and grew on me now, appreciating more the lovely dreamy atmosphere and Chill-lofi upbeats, which are thousand times better than the other chill-calming ones. I really, really need more of this kind of tracks on Monstercat Silk. My respects to Aether for bringing us this beautiful piece to the orange label.
• *14th Cannon [9.3/10]*
I wasn't really that impressed with this at first and I ended up more fascinated with this after several listens. I underestimated a bit the last three tracks that, for me, were the most salvageable ones on the album and no, I'm not talking about those flat and lifeles pieces like Get Through, Lions VIP and Collecting Thoughts (no offense).
Honestly, the jam House production are soo very catchy and groovy at the same time and that's pretty cool. The cherry of the cake was neither more nor less than the Hybrid Breaks sections, From minute 1:50 of the track to the end and about that, I still get Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse vibes for some reason. Finally, if Industrial Strain was the most highlight track from first part of Higher Ground, in this second part it's for 14th Cannon for giving us a proposal and sound quite different to what Koven usually brings us used to.
• *Oasis [9.2/10]*
Every day admiring more of good Zensei's Lofi stuff and Oasis could not be left behind. I honestly loved the mellow dreamy atmosphere and the Chill-lofi upbeats that are embedded on it gives it a nice touch, in addition to the hope and joy concept and all these elements together give me on a calming journey. Yes, I know that these kind of tracks aren't too special for some. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to listen to these soft sounds.
*Good releases (Enjoyable ones)*
• *Watch The Crown Fall [8.9/10]*
Jesus Christ, this track it's DAMN INSANE!!!. I really appreciate and love every detail, every element of this track; The analogue-screechy background sounds and dark-tension atmosphere inside the intro, the creepy chants from the beginning and a super heavy DnB production, plus other extra elements like guitar riffs, as a whole they create an amazing balance for my ears.
• *Diving In [8.8/10]*
Definitely Stonebank it's a complete madlad when it comes with his diversity. The High-intensity Future Rave production it's well worked and reminds me alot to David Guetta, Hardwell and a bit of old Tïesto vibes, and Vocal-Driven sections are decent fine. I'm not a big fan of this, but it's better than Good For Me and even his last release.
• *Kingslayer [8.7/10]*
Mazare's first release of the year and I must say was very good in its own way. I liked the way in which Rock-DnB production progress and RIENK's vocals plays in his favor by giving a bit more sense to the atmosphere and concept of the track in general. Regarding the second drop, it's almost similar to Berserker, only lighter and shorter lasting, although was nice too. My only criticism about Kingslayer, is the fact that it follows the same direction of some Mazare's previous tracks and honestly it's not a thing that bothers me at all, but it does get repetitive and that makes it less surprising.
• *It's Gonna Hurt [8.6/10]*
I liked that Sully has included a bit of his melodic stuff on the LP and not only Death Metal, and It's Gonna Hurt is a good example of it. I'm into the Euphoria-based concept and Sully's vocal work, and the melodic impact on the melody have a decently good execution and it doesn't feel basic like Someone Else (sorry, but I didn't like that track so much).
• *You Wanted [8.5/10]*
If there is one thing that I will have to highlight about You Wanted, that is simply the intro... That intro, MY GOD!!; literally was the MOST EPIC part of the track, due to how well the apocalyptic concept is worked and you even feel it. As for the rest, Katie's euphoric vocal performance and faster liquid DnB are good elements to complete it, although I feel the last element I mentioned (DnB production) aren't too impressive.
• *Higher Ground [8.3/10]*
This was the most redeemable one from Higher Ground [Part 2]. The euphoria-based concept works well and the emotional impact, including Katie's vocal perfomance, it seemed decent to me after all. Regarding Kairos Grove's participation, honestly he did his job well and his voice on this was bittersweet and groovy. This really didn't feel too shocking and at least there are aspects that stand out and that's nice to recognize.
• *Moonstone [8.3/10]*
Since the new Aether EP just came out, hadn't generated as much excitement or interest in me towards Moonstone either. However, and after giving more listens to this one, I also managed to appreciate more the smooth and sad dreamy atmosphere. Maybe, Lofi-beats progression aren't too special and even then it's still a good track.
*Worst releases (Garbage) - Top 3*
• *Persuit Of Violence [6.5/10]*
Unlike Road Dog Anthem, Riot and Let Me Go, Pursuit Of Violence is the least worst of the obnoxious Briddim Bass compilation on Thrones Of Blood LP, but it's not the best track I've heard either. The Intriguing dark atmosphere and Sully's asignature screamo were downright good, while hard-hitting drops sounds kinda decent, but obnoxious at the same time and that makes it somewhat unpleasant for me.
• *Friends [5.0/10]*
If there's one thing I can recognize from this track, that thing is just his nature. What do I mean by that?, that it leaves its comfort zone by giving us a different sound, but at the same time it doesn't feel as a track with the standardized dark minimalist sound that so characterizes the other Someone You Can Count On EP tracks. Unfortunately, however, the final result left me quite disappointed. WC's vocal perfomance and background piano it's pretty Ok I guess, but the Feel-good Trap melody base are very Radio-friendly and that's nothing good.
• *New Worlds [3.0/10]*
Of the two releases released by Whales this year, this one it's a complete bullshit. The Riddim Bass on this one it's just annoying and the only thing that I see remarkable about this one are the Breaks-sections, from there on out absolutely nothing.
PS: An honorable mention to u want me and Came To Rage, since despite not having had the opportunity to add them to one of my sections due to matter of time, they have certain elements that made them stand out. In short, they are good tracks too, but not necessarily the best.
NCS (March 2023) > Monstercat (March 2023)
Yes
No
That's not true (in my opinion)
So much of this music just feels lazy and mass-produced, especially Whipped Cream's stuff.
Totally agree, both the entire WHIPPED CREAM'S EP and all Instinct releases were the lowest point for Monstercat March 2023.
How are some tracks Satanic if the theme isn't like it?
You clearly need better comprehension.