January: 7 hard dance releases you need to hear this month

D-Block & S-te-Fan 'Music Made Addict' (The Prophet remix) (Scantraxx)

One of D-Block & S-te-Fan’s greatest songs gets a refresh courtesy of The Prophet. Taking every element we loved from the original and adding a uplifting ambience to the mix, the breakdown is a gorgeous journey with heavy vox FX over a beautiful collection of pads and strings. The riff is slightly re-jigged and, when coupled with the huge drop, delivers a dancefloor punch to your senses.

9/10

Alf Graham 'Bad Habits' (Solid State Digital)

Another month and another release from the SSD Camp, and although we’re disappointed Alf has used a ‘borrowed’ vocal for ‘Bad Habits’, it doesn’t take away the shine of it being a great hard house track. Even if it’s a little tame in terms of ideas and fresh direction, it still carries bundles of energy. Check out other releases on this label for a really current view of the scene’s direction, too, because it’s got some absolute gems.

7/10

Digital Mafia 'Free' (Phil Mac remix) (Cheeky Tracks)

Cheeky Tracks is a label that puts out out stacks of music each month, and while its output occasionally favours quantity over quality, there are always smashers such as this remix by Phil Mac to ensure it remains the most exciting hard house imprint around. This rework of ‘Free’ features a huge electro-style bass drop, some punchy percussion and lots of sing-a-long cheddar greatness. It’s a win for us; you’ll love it, too.

8/10

Kurt 'Kick It (Here I Am mix)' (Lethal Theory)

Kurt has pulled out something a little daft for ‘Kick It’, fusing two of happy hardcore’s greatest moments together to make one head-down power stomper of a track. It doesn’t take its foot off the pedal at any time, bringing an onslaught of massively euphoric vocals, funfair melody, constant builds and a big, beefed-up bassline.

9/10

HYPER 'Never Stop The Rave' (Contagious Records)

HYPER abandons any ideas of complex riffs and melodies and instead decides to wallop a giant off-beat bassline and rap vocal over the top of everything else in the hope that, somehow, it will all work out – which it really, really does. The main lead gets a little annoying as it doesn’t really do much, but for a quick injection of silliness into your set, it’s ideal.

7/10

A vs B vs J 'Special Forces' (Vicious Circle)

A big acid line runs over the bass, here, while vocal chops and gated effects add some interesting appeal. They aren’t just mindless sounds thrown into the for the hell of it; every part of ‘Special Forces’ has a purpose. The breakdown creates suspense with its eerie siren and lead combo, while the hard house riff bubbles up below.

8/10

Digital Punk & Outbreak feat Sabacca 'Break Your Face' (Scantraxx)

This is what evil music sounds like: from vocals that tell you they’ll “cut you in to pieces and break all your bones” to the sort of drop they probably pipe into the speakers in the waiting room of Hell. There’s always a time and place for stuff like this, but make sure your listeners are ready for the pitched kick and screechy lead combo. Listen with caution and never on your own, else you might not ever find your way back.

8/10