Illenium Finds Peace in Violence With Marshmello

Pretty cut and dried with today's post centered around one artist I really like remixing another one of my favorites. Two months back I posted the original version of Marshmello's Silence with Khalid. It was an interesting foray into R&B flavored, Chill House for both collaborators.

Fast forward two months to this week where some big names stepped up to the plate and took a crack at the track. To their credit, SUMR CAMP, Slushii, Illenium, and Tiesto all flipped the track in their own unique way. While Tiesto's Big Room remix was fun and Slushii's mix was as playful and vibrant as usual, Illenium's version emerged as my favorite. His ethereal style fit like a glove with the vocals of the original. It's that whiny, love making drum-and-bass that gets me every time. There's a little bit for everyone on the four song remix EP, so don't be bashful about copping it on iTunes or Spotify...#Mellogang



Marshmello feat Khalid - Silence (Illenium Remix)

Illenium's New Awake Album is the Best 2017 Has to Offer

Without really knowing it, I've become a big Illenium fan. I phrase it that way because in the past six months he's been responsible for two songs I really like, but they were released so far apart that I didn't connect the dots on Illenium being behind both. Feel Good and Fractures are the songs I'm referring to and they're both on his recently released Awake album. Over the past week I've been running laps around the album, along with much of the EDM world that has been churning out reviews of his new music. Needless to say, there's a developing consensus that his new album is in the conversation for 2017's best. His melodic, dubstep style is potent when combined with top notch vocalists and it just so happens the entire EP is littered with just that.

If you're searching for a diamond in the rough beyond the already released singles, look no further than the first track. Needed You thrives on Dia Frampton's mellow vocals and Illenium's ethereal synths and exaggerated bass hits. It's stylistically on par with the likes of Seven Lions and Sub Focus if you're into comparisons. Honestly I could have picked from a handful of other favorites on the album, so if you take anything away from this post, it should be to check out the entire album...#Awake



Illenium feat Dia Frampton - Needed You

Videos of the Week May 5th

This week's top five was unique in that it starts and ends with Jimmy Kimmel's monologue about the birth of his newborn son. If you don't get at least a little choked up over hearing the sadness in his voice over feeling helpless about the situation as a whole, then you need to check yourself. His story aside, I appreciated his story and how it directly relates the the healthcare bills that are being mulled over by the House this week. Let's just hope the listened and make the right decision, ultimately.

Aside from Kimmel's impactful story, there were a few videos in Hip Hop that had the internet collective pressing play over and over again. J Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only documentary was previously released via other outlets like HBO, but this week it got put on YouTube for consumption from the masses. The word real comes to mind when watching him go to the various cities in the South and hear stories from the people trying to make it through the day-to-day. Watching the documentary and then transitioning to DJ Khaled's star studded video for I'm the One was about as stark of a difference as you'll get in VOTW. Needless to say, everything about it was tried and true Hip Hop from the video girls to the pool parties to the immaculately trimmed hedges.

Making sure EDM got their contribution for the week was Gryffin and Illenium's Feel Good. The video is cool and all, but that candlelight version that features Daya's stunning vocals is officially where it's at. Speaking of where it's at, it wouldn't be a complete week without at least a few shennanigans. This time it came from Fallon's crew who put together a minute long mash up of Star Wars characters singing Smash Mouth's classic, All Star. It's kitchy, but it delivers the entertainment value you'd expect from a novelty like that...#AllStarWars

Jimmy Kimmel Monologue About His Son's Heart Condition

J Cole - 4 Your Eyez Only Documentary

DJ Khaled feat Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne - I'm On One (Video)

Gryffin & Illenium feat Daya - Feel Good (Video)

Fallon Mashes Up Smash Mouth's All Star With Star Wars Movies
Photo Credit: YouTube

"You Make Me, You Make Me Feel Good, I Like It"

When it comes to breakout artists for 2017, Gryffin is on my short list of up and comers I'm anticipating writing about a lot in the coming year. Whole Heart was one my favorite tracks in 2016, so in my eyes, he's already riding momentum from last year. On his new one, Feel Good, he teamed up with Illenium and Daya on a melodic dance track. It's just as chill as the cover art suggests, riding the wave of Daya's emotional vocals that usher you toward the slow, steady drop. As I think about it more and more, there's an undercurrent of folk/Newgrass on Gryffin's music that I really dig. You're going to have a tough time convincing me that this won't do some damage on Top 40 radio when the dust settles. If you're as much of a fan as I am, give it a more permanent listen on iTunes or Spotify...#FeelGood

Gryffin & Illenium feat Daya - Feel Good

"Coming After Tiny Fractures"

Despite my affinity for all things bouncy in EDM, I've got a soft spot for mellow electronic ballads too. Take for example Illenium's new one, Fractures. The track comes equipped with attention grabbing vocals from Nevve to go with a tranquil mix of whistles and soft chords. Somehow, some way, you'll find yourself whistling, humming, or singing along by the end of the track, you can bet that. The vibe of the track perfectly matches the cover art above. It's a soft, endearing, and delicately sunny track that seems ideal for closing out a weekend. iTunes or Spotify while you're watching the Grammys y'all...#Fractures

Illenium feat Nevve - Fractures