Laurel Barkan

5 days ago | thissongissick.com | Laurel Barkan

There is really no festival quite like Lightning In A Bottle. Put on by the Do Lab and held at Buena Vista Lake in Bakersfield, California, this year’s edition was my 4th time experiencing its magic, and I’m even more convinced that this is one of the best festivals in the world. LIB is truly a playground for adults; a sprawling wonderland of interactive art and installations designed to be touched, climbed, explored, and played with. Everywhere you turn, there’s something unexpected and whimsical.

1 month ago | thissongissick.com | Laurel Barkan

Don’t be fooled by the clickbait headlines about influencers or camping drama – Coachella remains the premier festival for any music lover, especially electronic music fans. I had the chance to attend Weekend 2 for the second year in a row, and it somehow surpassed my already sky-high expectations. I could talk about how logistics were seamless for W2, or how the stage and sound design were top-notch, or how the weather was absolutely glorious for W2.

2 months ago | thissongissick.com | Laurel Barkan

RÜFÜS DU SOL and Adriatique are a match made in melodic techno heaven. Today marks their third collaboration with the official release of Adriatique’s “In The Moment” remix. Adriatique take the gentle house nature of RÜfÜS’ original tune and take it deeper, adding a dose of sexy dance floor ready beats. The contrast between the darkness of the synth and the lightness of Tyrone’s vocals make for an ethereal combination.

2 months ago | thissongissick.com | Laurel Barkan

Spring only just began, but we’re already dreaming of warmer weather here at TSIS. Ryder, the British producer who went viral for his skeptacore project, gives us an early candidate for song of the summer with his new track “I Been.”“I Been” refuses to be defined by one genre, fluctuating between a 4×4, dance-forward beat and a dreamy R&B inspired verse.

2 months ago | thissongissick.com | Laurel Barkan

Don’t get the name twisted. “BAD BOY,” the explosive new track from BAMBII is for the “hardcore girls.”It’s been quite the year for the Toronto artist. Not only has she opened for Jamie XX on his tour, but she also booked a slot on Coachella’s coveted Do Lab stage. “BAD BOY” shows exactly why she’s in such high demand. This track is an absolute weapon from its opening notes, with a jungle vocal chop hyping us up while a drum line sample and dynamic synth charge up in the background.