Soundclouds of the Underground: Scary Sounds Edition

ABOVE: RICKY EAT ACID

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures-some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

Every sound has a texture, a mood, and an aura that captures a sentiment, however describable in words. Some producers create happy, polished party jams, whereas another may delve somewhere much darker. The tracks below explore the latter impulse, each sounding like it is set on a dark, desolate street, with sounds of glass breaking, dogs barking, and sirens blaring in the distance. The result is a set of songs with several layers: dusky and danceable all at once.   

Neuport: “SLOMO”

Who: An underground favorite from the New York scene who’s produced tracks for the likes of rapper Le1f and recently released an EP of his own entitled Lil Tobacco, Neuport employs sinister sounds, bumps in the night that make you want to bump your butt.

The Song: Off the aforementioned Lil Tobacco, “SLOMO” stars with Exorcist-esque piano riff, the tick-tock of minimal percussion and a sample from rapper Dorough’s track “After Party.” The song does a lot with a little; it’s eerie and addictive in its simplicity.

Current Project: Keep up with Neuport and find out about upcoming gigs via his Facebook page

Poor Sport: “Get Like Me (feat. Divoli S’Vere)”

Who: Poor Sport has proven his versatility again and again through a slew of collaborative tracks – the ominous synth-touting “Soft Answer” with Korma and the juke jam “Thuta Fliip” (which actually samples a Vine) are just some of his standout tracks.

The Song: “You can’t get it like me,” boasts Divoli S’Vere on this hard-hitting track, wherein cut-up vocals and whiplash-worthy drums anchor the intense mood. A strange synth melody caps things off, making for a wonderfully bizarre banger.

Current Project: Stay locked on Poor Sport’s Soundcloud for updates.

 

Ricky Eat Acid: “angels”

Who: Known by the blogosphere for some time as one of the coolest, truly weirdest producers out there, Maryland’s Sam Ray makes up Ricky Eat Acid, a project that is constantly warping sounds that might otherwise be found on a hip-hop track. His knack for diversifying sounds is perhaps what makes him such a favorite amongst producers (like Ryan Hemsworth, who recently released a REA track as apart of his “Secret Songs” collection) and fans alike.

The Song: Off RAD’s recent release sun over hills, “angels” could very well find itself in a movie trailer for some big-box-office thriller – aggressive waves of breaking glass, escalating synths and random tech gargles help give the track an especially neurotic feel.

 

Current Project: Hit Ricky’s Facebook page for more info on the artist.

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.