7 things to look forward to in 2020

Look. Things might be shit right now, what with working from home, having to keep away from your mates and general impending coronavirus-led doom, but it won't always be like this. For all the boredom, sadness and anxiety, there's a whole bunch of upcoming joy, entertainment and excitement to give you a sense of normality we're all craving. In full positive vibes force, we've knocked up a list of forthcoming music, books, TV and film to look forward to in 2020.

You might have seen Skream released a dubstep album last week. Granted it's not new material - Plastician found a bunch of old Skream tunes made between 2002 and 2010 - but some old skool, sub-heavy wobblers is just what the OG skankers have been craving as Skream continues his house and techno voyage. The album title - 'Unreleased Classics Vol. 1 2002 - 2003' - indicates the Croydon don has more editions to drop and Plastician more or less confirmed this by telling us he sent over 185 tracks in total. Quite a few tunes, then.

Cooking shows are so hype at the minute, people have even started virtual Great British Bake Off games with their mates to make self isolation that little bit more bearable. Netflix picked the right time to announce its new cooking competition show Cooked With Cannabis, which sees 'Milkshake' singer Kelis - a chef herself who has her own sauce line and cookbook - host alongside chef Leather Storrs. Even though the show title might suggest contestants get blazed, get the munchies and have a cook-off, they'll actually be seeing who makes the best weed-infused dishes. Leather Storrs said: “This is a show for food people, for stoners and for folks that are curious about both.” It debuts on April 20, aka 4/20, obviously. I'm sure they would have called if Bake Off if it weren't for copyright.

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Ain't nothing like a good documentary to look forward to. This Apple TV+ exclusive about the Beastie Boys combines footage from remaining members Adam 'Ad-Rock 'Horowitz and Michael 'Mike D' Diamond's recent book tour show in Brooklyn, New York and archival footage of the iconic hip hop group, which also featured the late Adam 'MCA' Yauch. The book tour was an extension of their hefty memoir released last year, with the tour - and the doc - directed by their friend and collaborator Spike Jonze.

Old-skool rave flyers are just insane. The vibrant colours, the trippy, kaleidoscopic patterns. They just go so perfectly in hand with the euphoric, E-induced highs ravers worldwide know all about. Junior Tomlin's an icon when it comes to flyer art, so much so he's been described as the 'Salvador Dalí of rave'. A 30-year collection of his work - featuring raves such as Dreamscape and One Nation - is coming out via publisher Velocity Press on June 1, and if you order it before then, you'll get a special signed copy and your name in the thank-you section. Get it here.

New York DJ MikeQ is the man behind the decks on new voguing competition show Legendary on the soon-to-launch HBO Max channel. The Qween Beat founder is a key figure of the ballroom scene so has all the credentials to be providing the tunes. Jameela Jamil and rapper Megan Thee Stallion as judges. The production team behind Netflix hit Queer Eye brings us Legendary, so expect this to bring just as much sass and joy as that.

Another book from publisher Velocity Press, the revised edition of State of Bass - originally published in 1997 - brings together previously unpublished interviews with some of jungle and drum 'n' bass' biggest heads, from Goldie and Fabio to Roni Size and LTJ Bukem. If you're one for a late-night rinse out then Martin James' book on the origins of jungle and d'n'b is just the read. Whack on some of these mixes in the background while you're deep into the pages. Get it here now or in shops from April 3.

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A new album from a UK garage icon, but UK garage this is not. Instead the mind behind classic 2-step cuts like 'Sincere' and 'Crazy Love' opted to sit on his piano and go down the ambient route on his forthcoming album 'Madrugada'. The concept would have been formed way before we were hearing about COVID-19 doom on a daily basis, but the relaxing tones and cinematic strings we've heard on 'Cathedral' and '90 Miles' are ridiculously apt given the current circumstances. While we can revisit MJ Cole's classic UKG tracks for a dose of homebound motivation at this time, 'Madrugada' is sure to provide a glistening respite from stressful times once it's out on April 2.

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

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