discovering and sharing the music that moves us

Tag: electronic

The Tragedy of MNQN: the AI Gone Rogue
18Apr By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music, Uncategorized

The Tragedy of MNQN: the AI Gone Rogue

Six years ago, Dustin Bates shared a copy of a cease and desist order that he issued against Ohio-based tech company, The Sentience Corporation, due to complications with one of its AI projects, MNON (later called 'MNQN'). In his letter, Bates alleges that this AI project, and thus the company who created it, was guilty of "stealing and advertising the likeness of [his] voice in music works and marketing materials." The offending songs not only contained unauthorized use of the STARSET frontman's voice, but were also distributed to all major streaming platforms without his knowledge, thus "intentionally violating [his] rights and the rights of [his] songwriting business." He goes on to explain that these actions "constitute theft, conversion, misrepresentation, and unfair competit...
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Songs on Repeat: “NOTHING” by MAYKO
16Mar By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music

Songs on Repeat: “NOTHING” by MAYKO

Here at MendoWerks Magazine, we aim to share the music that truly moves us. With that said, I want to take some time and explain to you, dear Readers, why some of the songs found in my 'On Repeat' Spotify playlist seem to have found a permanent home there. This time, we're going to talk about "NOTHING" by MAYKO, which has lived in my 'On Repeats' since the summer of 2022 (i.e., about 19 consecutive months). Based in San Diego, you may recognize MAYKO's name from his performances at Alter/Ego's LA showcase in 2022, Umbrella Weekend in 2023 or OMFG! NYE 2023. Or, perhaps, you remember his mix for Insomniac Radio's 'Discovery Project', or his new year's mix for EDM Identity. You might even remember that time we interviewed MAYKO, or maybe you read another profile of his. Whether you'...
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The Force (Re)Awakens: Djedi Returns With Epic New Single “Ambedo”
14Dec By Ambur Masen1 Comment
Features, Music

The Force (Re)Awakens: Djedi Returns With Epic New Single “Ambedo”

At the end of last year, we had asked a very important question: will we be seeing The Return of the 'Djedi' in 2023? Well, we're very happy to report that yes, in fact, we are seeing Djedi's return in 2023, and with a huge new track, "Ambedo"! Check out "Ambedo" by Djedi below, via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d82VhFA0BCw 'Huge' doesn't even begin to properly describe this new Djedi song, but it was the word that came to mind upon hearing "Ambedo" for the first time. That's probably because everything about it is huge--the intensity, the atmosphere, the emotion... In particular, this tune gives major vibes in the realm of 'epic hero reaches the final climax of his story--and the stakes couldn't be more dire!' As a result, we feel that this song would make for...
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On Glitch Art, Internet Music, & More: a Conversation with skxllflower [Exclusive Interview]
13Dec By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Interviews

On Glitch Art, Internet Music, & More: a Conversation with skxllflower [Exclusive Interview]

"I feel like I came home after taking a long trip around the music industry–I’ve realized I felt most at home working on tunes like this."- skxllflower If there's any Liquid Ritual release that you need to pay attention to this year, we truly believe that it's this one: "distance2" by skxllflower, a newcomer to the wave scene who has, to our surprise, only been at it for about three months. skxllflower's recent turn towards making wave music isn't the only surprise we ran into over the course of this exclusive interview with him, but it may have been the most shocking revelation, especially given just how good this new track is. See for yourself: check out "distance2" by skxllflower, via Spotify. "Are we dreaming?" "distance2" has this gorgeous, inimitable daydream...
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Kareful Unveils a Fresh New Wavy EP: ‘Phantom’
25Nov By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music

Kareful Unveils a Fresh New Wavy EP: ‘Phantom’

In wave music, there are few names that hold as much weight as Jude Kaufmann--better known as Kareful, an OG wave producer and the co-founder of Liquid Ritual, Dektora, and most recently, Wave Global. After dedicating a huge amount of time post-covid to curating and promoting wave shows all over Europe--including two years' worth of wave nights at the prestigious Amsterdam Dance Event as well as the beloved "Liquid Ritual Conference" in 2022--this artist-slash-industry-savant has finally returned to his DAW and gave us the gift of his 3rd EP, Phantom. This EP builds on what we already have come to expect from Kareful--fresh, emotional atmospheres, soft melodies with a tinge of darkness, and an absolutely seamless effort to infuse classic wave sounds with catchy modern twists. Phan...
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Enter the Creative World of Cybrfly
5Nov By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music

Enter the Creative World of Cybrfly

The act of DJing is nothing short of an art form. Being able to create a cohesive collage (of sorts) out of other artists' tunes is not an easy feat. Sure, anyone can build a decent playlist, but it takes a special sort of talent to mix the music together--to create an experience, one that's both engaging and organic all the way through. If you need proof of this fact, please turn your attention to Cybrfly, a SoCal-based DJ and music producer hailing from the wave scene, and her latest cinematic mix, 'The Monarch: Vol 3." Over the years, Cybrfly has curated a couple series of mixes for fans to enjoy. Through these mixes, Cybrfly shows off her great ear for music--and her skill at weaving sounds together into electronic journeys unlike any other. If you were lucky enough to catch C...
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almogfx Reunites with Vinter in “worlds apart”
30Oct By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music

almogfx Reunites with Vinter in “worlds apart”

Liquid Ritual, the UK's premier wave music label, is at it again with another gentle, introspective new song: "worlds apart" by almogfx and Vinter. Profound and atmospheric, "Worlds Apart" is a song that will stay with you long after your first listen. This powerful collaboration shows off the best of both artists: the analog, the ambient, the ethereal, and more. Together, almogfx and Vinter create a special sort of magic that's yet to be replicated elsewhere. Check out "worlds apart" on Spotify, below. For the next Elder Scrolls: Skyrim rerelease that we all know is coming, I'd really love it if Bethesda considered updating the soundtrack to include songs like "worlds apart". Imagine exploring the open world's mountain peaks in HD with something as gorgeous and immersive ...
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Cover Songs for a Post-‘Punk Goes…’ World
28Oct By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music

Cover Songs for a Post-‘Punk Goes…’ World

Like most emo kids on the Internet in 2010, I was practically raised by Fearless Records' Punk Goes... compilation series. More specifically, I sunk a ton of time into the Punk Goes Pop compilations; I got my taste of contemporary pop by listening to guitar-heavy cover songs performed by bands I was already a fan of. It's been a few years since we got a Punk Goes... album. However, the tradition is still very much alive, thanks to artists like Pendulum and Toadies, both of which released some cool, reimagined pop cover songs recently. Additionally, if you're looking for information about cover songs, we'll be including three key facts about the process, as well as links to these new covers, below. Pendulum covers Taylor Swift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMbiRjjTWj0 Pen...
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Psycho, We Will “Never Forget U”
19Oct By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Features, Music

Psycho, We Will “Never Forget U”

New releases from Liquid Ritual are practically guaranteed to be epic. The label's recent release of "Never Forget U" by Psycho further proves this fact to be true. This newest song is a dreamy blend of UK garage and breakbeat structures wrapped up in wave music's emotional undercurrent. All together, Psycho delivers a tranquil, low-tempo wavy treat that is perfect for this time of year--or any time of year, really. Find the new song on Spotify, below. "Never Forget U" feels like the descent into fall that we experience here in upstate New York. It's slow, cold, aching--it's almost as if a crisp November breeze is on the metaphorical horizon of the song itself. With each note, another fistful of crisp autumn leaves have fallen away; with each note, we're transported deeper int...
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SINthetik Messiah Synthesizes Industrial D’n’B Track, “I Wanna Be Alive With You”
1Oct By CJNo Comments
Features, Music

SINthetik Messiah Synthesizes Industrial D’n’B Track, “I Wanna Be Alive With You”

If you haven't caught on yet, I'm a big fan of guitar music. The heavier, the better! However, sometimes, a song outside my usual tastes gets sent my way... and I'm taken aback by how much I like it. In this case, the song is "I Wanna Be Alive With You" by Louisiana-based industrial bass pioneer, SINthetik Messiah, sent to me by one of my editors here at MendoWerks. Learn from my mistakes: even if electronic music isn't your usual jam, let this song be your first taste of the genre. Because... in a word? It's 'epic'. Find "I Wanna Be Alive With You" by SINthetik Messiah on YouTube, below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1reL_SSkYAg "I Wanna Be Alive With You" video, via Drop Nation. According to SINthetik Messiah lore, this song is about a ghost watching his lover and ...
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