There is a lot of good music out there, but occasionally I find a piece of music that is more than just good. Pretty Lights is such an example. They’re not just good. They’re jaw-dropping.

It’s certainly not the first time that I hear a blend of HipHop beats, funky guitars and a lot of sampling, but it’s rare to hear something that is so well-produced, dynamic and inspiring. There is just so much happening in those tracks that they truly stand out from most electronic music productions – and it’s a miracle how those those tracks are danceable and relaxed at the same time. I listened to the “Spilling Over Every Side” EP today during breakfast with my girlfriend, but I could also very well imagine listening to this in a club.

For example, while “Look Both Ways” starts as a relaxed Breakbeat track, it evolves into a Dubstep track, then moves towards Deep House and back again. My favorite track “High School Art Class” stays on a laid-back HipHop groove all the time, but starts with sweet piano melodies and then shows some serious scratching and heavy basslines.

And the best thing: You can download every track they ever released for free from the official Pretty Lights website.
However, I suggest donating a few bucks using the PayPal button on the site. I already donated, and the music’s definitely worth it.

If you want to get a quick impression on how this sounds, you can listen to this DJ mix containing only tracks by Pretty Lights.

I had planned to create a Downbeat mix for a while. However, this mix is not your typical chill out-style mix, but something that sounds down-to-earth and alien at the same time. Based on straight HipHop grooves, it’s probably a good soundtrack to dust off your favorite smoking tool…

Nerditional information: Dadamnphreaknoizphunk used to be just a collection of Downbeat tracks by the Acid-Techno veterans Hardfloor. After two EPs that were so different from what they normally produce, they decided to separate their musical activities into these two projects. I have been a big fan of their Downbeat tracks for quite a while, and it is great to see how their original Acid-TripHop evolved over time. It started with just some TripHop beats and effected 303 sounds, but their latest album even has vocals. Love it!

Talking about TripHop, you can’t get around mentioning Massive Attack. Being (more or less) the inventors of that sound, it’s great to see that they’re still active and produce great material. However, their older releases (like the beautiful Teardrop) still sound fresh.

I got to know Dynamo Productions through their releases on Unique Records which was one of my favorite labels for quite a while. I have to admit that I lost track of their releases a while ago, but their Funky-HipHop-Breakbeat style still resonates with me.

Tracklist:

1. The Avalanches – Frontier Psychiatrist
2. Dynamo Productions – Back To Basics (Jimi Entley Sound Remix)
3. Dadamnphreaknoizphunk – Orange Crush
4. Spatnej Wliw – Den 9 (RMX Instrumental)
5. Erwin Lehn Orchestra and Stereo MCs – Color
6. Hardfloor – Dubdope
7. Röyksopp – Eple
8. Fever Ray – When I Grow Up (Version by Lissvik)
9. Massive Attack – Pray For Rain (Tim Goldsworthy Remix)
10. Dynamo Productions – Hey Yeah!
11. Kinobe – Summer In The Studio

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rizzato/2435080104/ // CC-by-nc