January: 10 big tunes you need to hear this month

1 The Weeknd feat Daft Punk

'I Feel It Coming' (XO/Island Records)

The second of two tracks with Thomas and Guy. If you weren’t quite sold on ‘Starboy’ then this incisive disco anthem – which shamelessly channels classic Michael Jackson and brings Daft Punk’s robotic essence to the fore – is the Christmas jam you’ve been waiting for.

2 Melé

'Scouse Afrika' (Edible)

Melé first caught our ears with the frenetic Ibiza classic ‘Ambience’, and latest double-header release doesn’t disappoint, either. Think Africanism at their percussive best (“Do it! Do it!”), expect everyone from Jackmaster to Annie Mac to get behind these tracks.

3 Pete Tong

'Your Love' (Kölsch remix) (Polydor)

Released to tie in with his Pete’s already sold-out show at The 02 with Jules Buckley, this new Kölsch remix is the perfect balance between old-skool clout and new-school house dynamics.

4 Lauren Lane

'Forget To Remember' (2020 Vision)

Already premiered on Mixmag.net, ‘Forget To Remember’ is another emphatic step in the right direction for the super Lauren Lane after her previous singles on Edible and Saved. Bumping house of the highest order.

5 The Chemical Brothers

‘C H E M I C A L’ (Virgin EMI)

Already supported by Annie Mac and aired during their summer shows, and a key part of their current December UK tour, as ever this acidic, anthemic Chemical cut comes equipped with an excellent video. One for fans of the Brothers’ ‘Battleweapon’ series.

6 Mount Liberation Unlimited

'Double Dance Lover' (Disko Dubb mix) (Studio Barnhus)

Everyone at Mixmag loves Stockholm’s Studio Barnhus, and the latest from Kornél Kovács’ camp doesn’t disappoint. Of the two Mount Liberation tracks, we’re digging the full fifteen minute Terje-esque disco odyssey the best. Check out our premiere of the other version here.

7 Sailor & I

'Black Swan' (Skint)

With Âme’s mix of ‘Turn Around’ already an Innervisions smash, Skint signing Sailor & I (aka Alexander Sjödin) has big things ahead, including a debut album out in spring. And this is the epic single, which comes with a Maceo Plex remix.

8 Cubicolor

'Dead End Thrills' (Anjunadeep)

The best London party so far this season was Innervision’s Troxy event in November, where Dixon dropped Cubicolor’s ‘Dead End Thrills’. Up next from Cubi is this killer new remix by Patrice Bäumel, currently getting hammered by Tale Of Us, Kölsch and Laurent Garnier too.

9 Mathew Johnson & Seb Mullaert

'Pollen 4 Life' (Hypercolour)

Hypercolour end a great year with a brilliant, bleep-infested techno instrumental from dance music’s other MJ and Minilogue/Mule producer,Seb Mullaert. It sounds like the sort of space jam that soundtracks Sven Väth’s dreams.

10 Nathan Fake feat Prurient

'Degreelessness' (Ninja Tune)

Nathan Fake’s ‘The Sky Was Pink’ remains one of the biggest Space Ibiza classics in the club’s 27-year history, and while his new collab with Prurient – his Ninja debut – is way more leftfield wonky, it’s still his best single release in many a moon.