illywhacker - Smokin' Aces - 2020

Before we begin!!!

The Smokin' Aces playlist is now available to follow and stream on Spotify, it'll be updated weekly with all the tunes featuring in these blog posts.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4oV9djxq6DviiZQgroTClE?si=xHHI31N7RXSux1_pEfcTnQ

Post number 17!

Hitting you with more Electro/synth-pop this week. I was back to addressing computer issues and upgrading/rebuilding my studio computer this last week; completing the laborious task of switching from Mac OSX to Windows 10, it only took me five days... snore. So, I had Spotify keeping me entertained whilst going through the painstaking process of installing and activating a new operating system, and the many variants of music production software/virtual instruments that are needed for writing and producing music.

This week's track comes from Oliver, an LA-based production/DJ duo consisting of Vaughn Oliver and Oliver Goldstein, the band name is fitting for sure. However, from what I gather, the pair parted ways last year, though I believe Vaughn is continuing to produce music under the moniker.

The track in question is called 'Chemicals' and I've been loving this ever since I discovered it a few years back. It's a fun and playful vibe for the most part, partly due to the funky basslines and retro-sounding synth chords of the breakdown and chorus sections. However, the track switches to a slightly darker and deeper vibe between the chorus sections with that chugging, thick, combination of synth and sub-bass driving the sections between. The vocals are provided by American singer/songwriter/producer, MNDR (a.k.a Amanda Lucille Warner), who has an awesome voice, like all the vocalists featured in these blog posts! I'm a big fan of the powerful "oh whoa whoa" vocal parts in the main chorus, drenched in reverb, making it sound like she's giving the lungs a good workout in a huge ambient environment; you'd get a similar effect if you tried to belt out the same lines in a church or cathedral, give it a try ;)

A credit to the other songwriter involved in the production of this track, Justin Tranter.

Chemicals can be found on Oliver's studio album titled 'Full Circle', check it out, it's hot. Check out the rest of Oliver, MNDR and Justin Tranter's music if you enjoy this tune-of-the-week!

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPT2M-f3Xx4

Oliver ft. MNDR - Chemicals (Original Mix)