EsDeeKid ‘Century’ (XV Records / Lizzy Records)
On Halloween, Scouse rap superstar of the moment EsDeeKid dropped an appropriately evil-sounding new single. Opening with horror film-esque synthesised horn blasts, the beat soon drops into a gnarly, weighty skulk as the the masked MC spits venom with bars llke “I’m an animal, hyena / I was mean, but I just got meaner.”
Kneecap ‘Sayōnara’ (SHERELLE's More Blacks, More Irish Remix)’ (Heavenly Recordings)
A selection of electronic music’s righteous stars link up with SHERELLE transforming Kneecap’s collaboration with Paul Hartnoll ‘Sayōnara’ into an even scuzzier cut of rave pace. While the OG leans towards euphoria, SHERELLE chooses to drag it down to street level with a fierce and punchy approach that has the energy of a protest anthem, with a title subverting (part of) a notable discriminatory slogan — sorry dog lovers, human rights come first.
Ikonika ‘Listen To Your Heart’ (Hyperdub)
The lead single from Ikonika’s forthcoming album ‘SAD” sees the Hyperdub mainstay step forward from the shadows of heads-down, bassy beats and take centre stage with emotive lyricism and woozy synth production. An exciting introduction to the new era of an artist who’s constantly evolving,
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Carré & Danny Goliger ‘Exit Plan’ (Fast At Work)
Through a climactic array of thundering kicks and ominous synthlines, Carré and Danny Goliger’s latest release on Fast At Work is a link-up of seismic proportions. ‘Exit Plan’, a standout track from their new collab EP ‘Up Too Late’, is a hard and heavy club cut that finds the sweet spot between low-end and textural rhythms.
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Stresshead ‘Touch’ (Self-released)
Taken from his new EP ‘Colour’, London up-and-comer Stresshead dropped opening track ‘Touch’ this month — a brooding single that he says “sets the scene for the whole EP”. Bubbling synths soar overhead, while a pop-tinged vocal invites a pulsating, euphoric feeling that charges higher and higher throughout the track.
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DJ Sofa ‘Lionheart’ (Up Ya Archives)
Helsinki’s DJ Sofa makes their debut on Nia Archives’ Up Ya Archives imprint with ‘Lionheart’, a frenetic jungle cut laced with rapid breaks and a taunting vocal sample, broken up by sleek dub sedations and intermittent hand drums. A glorious first outing on the label.
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KETTAMA ‘It Gets Better’ (Chris Stussy Remix) (Steel City Dance Discs)
It’s been difficult to avoid KETTAMA’s meteoric ‘It Gets Better (Forever Mix)’ this summer, and while you might think the reason so many have been en-trance-d is down to the Underworld-esque atmosphere brought on by the Irish producer’s sample of Plumb's ‘Damaged’, Chris Stussy’s pumping remix will have you second guessing yourself. By applying a naughty tech-house beat over the original’s synth pangs and a searing electro-inspired bassline on the drop, Stussy’s reimagining offers up a new, sweaty energy to this hands-in-the-air club banger.
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Nick León ft. Esty & Mediopicky ‘Millenium Freak’ (Minor Science remix) (TraTraTrax)
With its deep bass and punchy rhythm Nick León’s sweaty ‘Tropical Entropy’ album track has rightfully found itself being rinsed on soundsystems and EA Sports FC 26 alike; part stripped-back, percussive experimentation and part sweaty club banger, you would be forgiven for wondering where Berlin bass don Minor Science would take this one on remix duty. Surely not a luscious euphoric electro track? Surely he has not installed earth-shattering, downright naughty tech-house drops? Well, you’ll never guess what’s happened.
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Jennifer Loveless 'Heaven' (Late Night) (Aus Music)
Sleek, hypnotic with just the right amount of grit to prevent you from ascending into a full-blown out of body experience, the first single from Jennifer Loveless’ forthcoming EP ‘Fever’ feels like a game of chicken between transcendentalism and whatever part of your brain activates when you get a gun finger out. Waves of iridescent synths lap up against ricocheting hats and intense, deep bass stabs to create the kind of track that will send you on multiple trips to the moon and back if anyone so much as dared to roll it out on a dimly lit dancefloor.
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Blumitsu ‘Pinahoelada (Skepta Hit The Target Edit)’ (LABORATORIES)
Trick or treat? Blumitsu have twisted their ‘Pinahoelada’ and added an extra shot of Skepta. Before this edit, the track was already irresistible for any late-night function with its ringing grime tone, warping roller and hypnotic lyrics, but now with those punchy bars this electro heater has been turned up a notch.
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Rosalía, Björk & Yves Tumor ‘Berghain’ (Columbia Records)
Sven Marquardt just let Rosalía, Björk and Yves Tumor in the club. What do you hear? Don’t be fooled by its name, this isn’t a track for the club but instead an opera from the dancefloor referring to the German translation of Berghain as “mountain grove”. Rosalía has used her classical music training and dance music connections to create an elaborate symphony rather than a reggaeton banger. Joining Rosalía on the release is the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra, Björk (who features as a singing bird in the music video) and Yves Tumor, who ends the song chanting “I’ll fuck you till you love me”.
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PinkPantheress, Basement Jaxx ‘Tonight + Basement Jaxx’ (Warner)
After working together on PinkPantheress’ ‘Fancy That’ album, Basement Jaxx have reunited with the star to remix ‘Tonight’. Rather than reheating nachos, the track has evolved into something new as they cut deeper into the track’s dance roots to carve out a more electronic edge and kick. Jaxx have infused ‘Tonight’ with a catchy drumbeat, driving stabs and some ethereal synths and vocals to make this a timeless edit.
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