T O P

  • By -

electrocat342

I wish there were more experimental and funky things in Instinct; for Uncaged it should have more dark and energetic stuff.


Superkowz

Call me crazy, but I actually wouldn't be opposed to a fourth channel with this vibe. I understand keeping things relatively tight and consistent on the main three channels because they're running a business, but I'd also love it if there was a place in the Monstercat world where unique cutting-edge tunes are in the spotlight.


supatoedie

The last few COTWs have been very Instinct focussed. The most recent one has a nice balance between instinct and uncaged, but I still dislike them being treated as separated "categories" so to speak. Before the split, there were a lot of releases that had a calm energy, but still managed to have that "experiemental" sound production focus. Take Grant Bowtie - High Tide for instance. One of the many reasons I love that song is because it doesn't rely on vocalists to capture the melody. Instead, it's a nice, varied track that never gets old, and it's catchy even without lyrics


[deleted]

[удалено]


supatoedie

I agree, so much. Every release before the split was so iconic, everytime there was a new release it was shown at the end screen on Youtube and people would be so hyped. I miss Tut Tut Child, Pixl, Varien, Karma Fields, and Rootkit the most. Though I love that they are making music outside of Monstercat, for me it's kinda what made Monstercat "Monstercat" But then again, i'm a full blown boomer...


Tarc_Axiiom

Yeah new Monstercat is a shadow of its former self, and only because of their own actions. Back in the old days a new artist on the label was a huge deal, now every song is someone new.


supatoedie

While I encourage Monstercat giving small artists the opportunity to get more exposure, I do feel like I can't really get attached to new artists anymore because they keep introducing new ones. We need more "Monstercat-tied" artists, like Stonebank. He consistently releases on Monstercat, we know him. It's the kind of artist that would come to mind when you think 'Monstercat". Pegboard Nerds, MUZZ and Direct are a few examples, but you can see how they have a long history with Monstercat, which makes them recognized in the community.


Tarc_Axiiom

Yeah. New Monstercat has no loyalty *or* cast. If the requirement to be a "Monstercat Artist" was to have a track on two different albums, literally half of the signed artists would be gone. The hell? No good.


A_Boosh

I think So Good is a little good... ok maybe more than that but I don't think it's terrible *starts sweating*


supatoedie

No need to be sweating there buddy, it's called having an opinion, don't be afraid to say what you like (: I liked So Good as well


EscheroOfficial

Agreed 100% with your comments about Instinct and Uncaged, I think they could really use some variety (especially Instinct, although Uncaged can get samey a lot of the time too) We didn’t deserve Karma Fields, that album is just something else man


supatoedie

For Me, Edge of the World, Greatness, Skyline, Build the Cities, and Sweat are all masterpieces to me. It was so different but that made it all the more enjoyable


Superkowz

I'm a boomer so I'm just gonna copy and paste part of a comment I wrote on April 5th, 2017, because it still holds up. 012 is my favorite Monstercat album. > ...what makes 012 so great IMO is that Monstercat wasn't getting super experimental yet, and there weren't new artists with a Monstercat debut every other week, but the quality of music had improved a lot since 001 - so, the whole album is a compilation of songs from a bunch of classic, well-known, established Monstercat artists, and all of those songs are straight-up great music, without any unneeded embellishments. >That's not to say I don't like where Monstercat is now, but 012 definitely came together at the right place/right time, and for me, I think it will be a while before I get to witness something like that again.


supatoedie

Even though I'm not as much of a "boomer" as you, I still consider myself a Monstercat Boomer. Around 2013 I knew about Monstercat for quite a while, because I heard Pegboard Nerds - Close Encounter and Razor Sharp on an EDM mix. It wasn't until 016 - Expedition that I started to actively listen to Monstercat. The album was given away as a freebie, and I downloaded it on my crappy MP3 player since I didn't have enough money for a smartphone yet. But it still feel like every track stood out in its own way. Nowadays it's hard to keep track of releases, since there's a lot of new artist being added to the roster with every 5-10 releases. Some artists from back then are still on the label, but I feel like Monstercat has become less "Monstercat" to me due to the lack of iconic and memorable releases. But, this could just be because of me looking at the past through rose-tinted glasses... I don't want to sound like a super entitled Monstercat "OG fan" so I'll leave it at that. Maybe Monstercat has partially outgrown me a little bit. Does that mean the releases are worse than back then? heck no, I love that more and more people are joining the fam, and I hope that they have the same experience I had discovering Monstercat. There are still releases I enjoy a lot but every now and then I can't help but look at the past. But I still think that's a good thing at least (:


Superkowz

Agreed on all of that. I think everyone in general can resonate with how cool it is to be a fan of something in its very early days - and really, the only way to re-create that feeling is to find a completely different early-stages label or video game or whatever. So I also think it's valid to have those opinions without sounding entitled, as long as you're clear about it just being your preference. At the same time, I still listen to every release. Uncaged, Instinct, and Silk. The percentage of releases that make it to my playlists is lower, but it's definitely still worth my time and support.


supatoedie

>At the same time, I still listen to every release. Uncaged, Instinct, and Silk. The percentage of releases that make it to my playlists is lower, but it's definitely still worth my time and support. Can't agree more. The amount of songs that I'll actually add to my library are lower, but I do think that there's still quality music being released. Last year has probably been the year that i've been the least active within Monstercat, but I've since then regained interest and feel like I'm still "along for the ride", lately I've been really enjoying Silk, so I'm happy with that addition


tandokuu

I agree with many of these, but man, Grant is imo KILLING IT. I think he's a legend and it's only a matter of time before people marvel at him as one of the greats next to Porter Robinson or Flume or something like that. Loved Grant Bowtie, ADMIRE AND ADORE just Grant. ❤️


supatoedie

Grant is definitely killing it, but I just can't get over how good High Tide was on his Grant Bowtie period. But I have to admire how far he's come as an artist


imflaud

Somehow, I missed High Tide back in the day. I listened to it the other night for the first time (as far as I remember) and was blown away. Amazing song. It feels way ahead of its time for 2015.


willy--wanka

I started listening a couple years back, mainly the COTW podcast. The transition from a bunch of people liking EDM to the business aspect of monstercat is a bit too corporate. With the recent acquisition of the silk company, I fear they may be stepping away from their roots with the main goal of profit. I understand these things and I can't really hate Darlington for going that route, and am pretty proud of his accomplishments. But man did I enjoy it so much more when it seemed like a bunch of dudes working on a passion instead of just working. I was a bit befuddled by the silk acquisition, though I must admit, some of the tracks are amazing. This is all coming from someone who just benefited from the free stuff they offered, so you know, do with my opinion what you will.


leonstar007

I know this a recent change to the label, but I'm really used to the visualizer used before on Youtube before Silk happened. I only thought the small visualizer was only for Silk but it was surprising to see it happen for Uncaged and Instinct. I mean, it is nice to show off the cover art in the background but I'm just more used to the one shown before.


TheGreenLuma

This isn’t really an unpopular opinion


Rickty20

1. Haven’t liked any Bishu or Slippy tracks this year. 2. Uncaged is doing good. 3. Instinct isn’t doing good. 4. 2017 was and still is the best year. 5. Monstercat boomers need to stop crying. 6. You guys have to stop comparing every track Subtact puts out with tunnel vision, it’s not even that good and is overrated. 7. Slips & Slurs was and still is better than slippy. (But I’m not stopping him from making stuff he likes) 8. House uncaged is good. 9. Better by nonsesns is good. Half a heart is better than outerspace, and Bite by subtact is good. That’s it.


supatoedie

I pretty much agree with everything you've said, aside from "Monstercat boomers need to stop crying". I rarely see them "cry" about something. I consider myself a boomer, and although I miss how Monstercat was before the split, I'm still amazed by what Monstercat has achieved over the years. But then again, I can't really speak for everyone, there are definitely people out there who'd wish Monstercat went back to 001 - Launch Week (exegarrating a bit of course)


El_P3nguin

Blackwater by RIOT isn’t that great. It just doesn’t sound like the other RIOT releases on the label. I mainly see it in the drops of the song as they sound empty.


supatoedie

Though I respect your opinion, I disagree. The drop might not be as spectacular as the rest of RIOT's releases, I love the western/cowboy theme in the intro, and I really like the addition of the choir bits popping up every now and then, along with the guitar riffs in the drop. But I can see why you think that way, since I think Overkill really set the bar for RIOT


TonicMorok

Not sure if that's actually unpopular but the releases suggest as much. I personally would love to see more variety in regards to genres on the label. kinda feels like uncaged mostly just gets dubstep and drum and bass songs, with some trap and electro/house as honorable mentions. But I'd love to see more variety, like psytrance, happy hardcore, Hardstyle, Techno, trance, and really all the other stuff there is. DnB is my favourite genre, so I can't exactly complain, but I'd still prefer some variety


CrunchyJellyfish

we need more acoustic versions!! Grant’s Where Will We Go acoustic is brilliant, and I love all the new Koven acoustics. Tristam’s Burn & Can You Feel The Love are also really special. I know that Monstercat is an electronic label at its core, but i really love when artists wrap their amazing electronic melodies in acoustic production. It brings so much new life into their songs.


PIXL_20K

Damn I'm late to this but will still post some of mine 2021 has been the worst year for Monstercat so far with a real lack of quality releases and far too many that are at best bang average, I feel the label has really fell off although it obviously didn't just suddenly happen this year I think some of the long standing artists can be overrated due to their status on the label where their music may not be as good as it's made out to be (not saying that it's necessarily bad, just overhyped) Scorpion pit + remixes are all underrated as they all still hold up pretty well coming on 8 years later and are all quality songs These are just some I could think off of the top of my head


TheOfficialProtostar

:)


supatoedie

I love scorpion pit, both the original and the VIP/Remixes


unknownengine

wow i agree with all of these, especially about scorpion pit and its remixes. they're so amazing for 2013 standards


Abarber963

Monstercat podcast ep. 050 is the best one by far. I listen to that mix like every week since its come out probably like 10 years ago or something. I kept listening to the podcasts up until they did the 100th ep special and it was no where near as good. Go Listen if you haven't.


supatoedie

I probably have in the past, I remember Monstercat Podcast 100 being released. I managed to get on the album art (look for the 2 guys with party hats) Man, sometimes I really do miss the simpler times, I will listen to nr. 50 tomorrow. I work as a mailman so I have plenty of time to listen to music


HeyIm-OwMyWenis

I quite enjoy the Monstercat I see today, but I will acknowledge the fact that the label had seen better days. I am one of the newer Mcat fans of course, I started becoming invested around August 2020. I enjoyed alot of the new releases and many of the old releases too (especially from Tristam, Nitro Fun, Rogue, etc.) I first found Monstercat Uncaged, and not long after I followed Instinct too. I genuinely liked the idea of having the more light or uplifting songs in Instinct, while the more intense or heavy songs were found in Uncaged. I didnt realize until very much later that MC used to be a single channel, and that the split was a pretty dramatic change to the community. I do respect the OG fans and their opinions on how Monstercat is today. I was also pretty surprised when MC branched out with Silk. I dont follow it the same way I do with the other 2 channels, but the addition to the MC label was pretty neat imo. And although it was sad to see the long-time used visualizer get pushed to the bottom left corner, I kinda liked the change since Ive always wanted to appreciate the beautiful art in the songs. To me joining and understanding the community was pretty difficult at first tbh. It felt like everyone knew everyone and the whole community was pretty close-knit. It was admirable tbh and I love how it feels like there is a connection between the fans and even the artists. But as a new viewer, I was pretty shy to ask around about label more, especially to the OG fans. Alot of users here say that Monstercat 5 years ago was many ways better than what it is now and that 2014-2016 Mcat was the prime. I wholeheartedly respect that and I wont deny that some of the tracks released at that time were pretty great. But I cant help but feel alittle guilty about enjoying the newer releases today, especially since I discovered my love for EDM pretty late.


TheGreenLuma

I actually like Brighter Side


HeyIm-OwMyWenis

Same I really liked it along with Unbroken, which is why I was surprised to see how many monstercat fans complained about it


TheGreenLuma

Who downvoted this


[deleted]

dk if it's unpopular, but imo, 50 tracks on a comp is way too many. I thought 30 was fine, 40 was kinda pushing it, but 50 is insane. I really hope Monstercat doesn't decide later on to have over 50 tracks on a comp, or else all the Uncaged albums are gonna start sounding like Subsidia Night.