Bloop. Bleep. Bleep.

8-bit, chiptune, nintendocore... whatever you want to classify it as (for the record, I call it 8-bit) the electronic subgenre of our generation hits home in a way no other genre can. Whether its the Commodore 64, Atari 2600, NES, or that big grey brick we all had, the GameBoy... 8-bit artists are able to recreate those all-too-familiar bleeps and bloops with software synths or authentic hardware chips to provide their loyal fans with video game-esque theme songs for their lives.


courtesy of katutaide

Probably the most commercially successful artist to embrace this subgenre would be Crystal Castles. And while definitely straying further away from true 8-bit than others, the Toronto based duo still do it proper. Posted is "Crimewave" but be sure to also check out a schweet vs with Health and LAZRtag.


Mp3: Crystal Castles - Crimewave


Mp3: Crystal Castles - Good Time


courtesy of Idiolector

Next up is 8 Bit Weapon, who provides tracks a bit more pure and true to form. 8 Bit Weapon has been touring across North America and Europe for a while now, bringing with him an arsenal of hardware to get even the smallest Nintendo fanboy in all of us fraking for more.


Mp3: 8 Bit Weapon - GameBoy Rocker


Mp3: 8 Bit Weapon - Mario 2 (Drum Mix)


Mp3: 8 Bit Weapon - Bit 'n' Run


courtesy of Air_Louise

Nullsleep is another guy that holds true to the 8-bit roots as evidenced as one of the cofounders of 8bitpeoples, a collective of artists that all share a 'common love for classic videogames and an approach to music which reflected this obsession.' (check out Nullsleep's last.fm page for a slew of tracks he has for free download (woot woot for creative commons!))


Mp3: Nullsleep - Her Lazer Light Eyes


Mp3: Nullsleep - On Target


Mp3: Nullsleep - Ballistic Picnic


courtesy of nickgraywfu

Now for something completely brand spankin' new... this coming from Rambrant via my inbox (in full 320 kbs glory (how does that work when it's 8 bit to begin with?)). Anywho, dont know too much about him other than he claims to be from Christmas Island, but with a track and myspace full of German influence... meh I'll hold judgement. Just enjoy the track.


Mp3: Rambrandt - ALARM!


courtesy of stickerHelsinki

Finally, one from a band that is in no way 8-bit, Disco Villains. But for one reason or another decided to dip themselves in a vat of nintendo and regurgitated this piece of work... nice. [since I got the green light to post their ish, you can expect more posted here soon]


Mp3: Disco Villains - 8-Bit Disaster

Bloop. Bleep. Bleep.