Reports
Reports
Red Pal, UK Runtz & MC Bush - Say Wha & Doing It Again
Strange Times aims to revitalise the UKG underground by introducing fresh sounds that echo classic garage vibes. 'Say Wha' features gritty drums, choppy hi-hats, and nostalgic adlibs from MC Bush. On the flip side, 'Doing It Again' combines lively instrumentals with playful lyrics, referencing classic UKG elements as MC Bush returns with more of what makes him great. Both tracks celebrate the raw energy of the garage scene and resonate with its history.
Sasha GiGi, JADED & Surya Sen - Coins (Extended)
It can get disheartening how seriously dance music takes itself these days. Contemporary dance music longs to return to more energetic and fun tracks like those from Groovejet and Utah Saints. The latest single, Coins (Extended), by Sasha GiGi, JADED, and Surya Sen, embraces a playful and catchy style reminiscent of early pop club rap while maintaining solid dance music production. The track features engaging wobbles and a memorable rap chorus, revitalising a sense of fun in the dance music scene.
Lust For Youth & Croatian Amor - Dummy Feat. Purient
Lust for Youth, a Danish-Swedish electronic duo, has evolved their sound since the early 2010s from analogue ambient to a more polished synth style. Their upcoming album with Croatian Amor, All Words, will be released on March 7th, featuring the first single, Dummy. This track combines spoken word rap with UK garage elements, appealing to modern pop sensibilities while maintaining an inner-city edge. Despite its high energy and pop aesthetic, Dummy also incorporates a murky shoegaze sound, reflecting emotion and authenticity. I predict this will be blasting from call windows come mid-summer.
James K - Hypersoft Lovejinx Junkdream
James K's latest record, Hypersoft Lovejinx Junkdream (2024), features not only a complex title but a stunning production that blends downtempo and breakbeat elements. The title track creates a dreamlike atmosphere with rich bass drones and reverberation, showcasing James K's innovative style. The second track, 'Blinkmoth (July Mix)', offers a trip-hop sound reminiscent of Portishead, with careful construction and expressive vocalisations. Overall, the album is noted for its visionary vocal delivery and harmonious production, continuing the magic from James K's previous work, Random Girl (2022). The album promises to delight music lovers with its fresh and nostalgic feel.
Daniel Avery - Digital Rain / I Miss You
Daniel Avery is a prominent figure in London's music scene, known for his ability to stay relevant through new albums and mixes. His latest release, Digital Rain / I Miss You, showcases his exploration of ambient music against breakbeats.
From capturing the quiet moments after clubbing by blending soft breaks with elements of liquid drum and bass and cinematic qualities to a harder sound with grainy textures and nostalgic mechanical artefacts reminiscent of his earlier work, Avery employs a minimalist approach in his rhythms, prioritising accessibility and space. This release may be seen as self-referential and less innovative, lacking significant cultural reference points. Overall, Avery continues to meld various influences in his music, maintaining his relevance in dance music.
Bjarki – 10,000 Steps But Still Biting My Nails
Bjarki, the Icelandic producer, offers a preview of his upcoming compilation album, A Guide to Hellthier Lifestyle, with the standalone single 10,000 Steps But Still Biting My Nails. This track departs from his signature big room sound, leaning into more conceptual, aquatic themes reminiscent of Drexciya. The song features subdued percussion and atmospheric elements, creating a feeling of external pressure symbolised by water references. The rhythmic vocals evoke a sense of crowded thoughts. Overall, this release suggests a broader exploration of Bjarki's sound as he moves away from ultra-dance tracks. The single is now available for streaming, with the compilation set to release on December 12th.
Drvg Cvltvre - When Dawn Came
The esoteric stylings of Drvg Cvltvre, also known as Vincent Koreman, are characterised by their trippy and acidic synthesis, creating trance-like tunes that push the boundaries of electronic music. His latest release, When Dawn Came, showcases a departure from his previous works with a darker and more robotic timbre. The title track features unorthodox mixing and a peculiar soft sharpness, while 'Trapped Under Ice' introduces conceptual elements with contrasting soundscapes. The album concludes with 'Till Dawn Came Crawling Up The Stairs', which presents a more metallic and aggressive tone, completing the cycle from light to dark.
Mumdance - MD003
Mumdance has been pioneering the UK music scene for years, constantly pushing boundaries and exploring experimental territories. With the release of MD Dubs in 2022, Mumdance continued to self-release, creating a sparse and grimy workout that pushed the limits of techno and other base genres. However, with the release of MD003 in 2024, Mumdance surprised fans with a departure from his usual style, creating a record that exudes campy, kitschy, and fun energy. The A-side is a poppy dance music case study, while the B-side ventures into edgier territory, weaving a fantastical and surreal journey. The entire record feels like a deliberate concentration of EDM tropes, turning it into a riotous celebration.
Tiger Stripes - I Heard It Through The Bassline
Tiger Stripes' latest release on Radio Slave's Rekids imprint features two techy house tracks. 'I Heard It Through the Bassline' is a fun, disco-infused track with palpable repetition, while 'Everybody's Doing It' is a more delicate, deeper cut. The tracks showcase Tiger Stripes' versatility but may not stand out in the crowded tech-house scene. The release offers a peak-time party track and a chilled-out cooler, making it suitable for the club and workouts.
Posthuman - Cranker
Posthuman's contributions to the acid genre and underground dance music are staggering. Their latest limited-run record, Cranker, showcases exactly why. The record features the wickedly squelchy 'Acid Cranker' and the housey piano stabs track 'Stab Cranker', incorporating classically twinged vocal chops. This release exemplifies Posthuman's talent for creating feel-good dance music.