May These Mixes Be With You
We take a moment to list and praise our favourite mixes from this month
May is about to end and summertime is almost here… Clubs and bars are opening up in some parts of the world giving us hope of some kind of normality taking over once again. In all the absurdity we’re used to by now music remains a beacon of light in our days - artists in the electronic music scenes are blossoming, not only with a higher and higher rate of incredible releases out there but also in their mixes output. Here, we take a moment to highlight some of our favourite recordings which were released to the public this last month in hopes that they will energise your week.
Franziska Berns: Remain
Robert Johnson’s resident Franziska Berns is most definitely one of the best DJs around for us, her latest set on the Mudd Show was just another proof of that (we recommend checking it out). This (mostly) ambient recording for the electronic music fanzine Say What is called ‘Remain’ and it’s just thoughtfully relaxing. Despite its ambient nature this hour of music does not shy away from rhythmic endeavours, hinting mostly at modern psychedelic rock and jazzy abstract beats for its most rhythmic parts. A recommended listen that works both for your Sunday hangover as well as for your Wednesday micro-dose work routine. Plus, the mix includes her own productions and edits, so bonus points for that.
EOS Radio 01 - ISAbella
I was rather impressed by the recording of ISAbella’s first show for their residency on the Frankfurt radio EOS - on the contrary of what I heard previously from the Colombian DJ this hour is barely ever dancefloor-oriented (at least not in a classic 4/4 or rave-oriented, breakbeat ways that usually characterise ISAbella’s mixes). In a blend of epic sonorities and abstract rhythms this mix moves quite fast between styles: you have innovative trip-hop cuts and smooth drum and bass tunes, you have chilled and melodic downtempo and purely avant-garde synth sonatas. It’s not an easy task to make such different styles fit into something that feels coherent and consistently interesting and ISAbella did it in this one.
Sick Advisor - MOJ mixes 33
It’s hard to sum three hours of mix into a short highlight description, especially in a various selection such as this one. In the three hours of their mix for My Own Jupiter, Sick Advisor flow on rather slow BPMs, over industrial landscapes that combine acid synth lines, broken electro beats, hints of italo-disco here and there and much more. The result at times sounds like spectral and trippy slowed-down IDM, while in other bits it manages to get groovy in an unusual fashion. This mix can feel quite intense at times but it is its originality that needs praising the most - I feel that these three hours are a quite courageous take on mixing stylistically obscure records, rather than going for trendy or easy to dive into choices.
ReSolute Podcast 009 / Mari.te
In her Resolute mix out this month, Mari.te once again provides a progression of gems flawlessly mixed together. ‘Progression’ might be overused as a term for describing how mixes evolve, but I feel it’s definitely the best expression to describe this recording which starts from atmospheric rhythmic tunes that blossom more and more into a purely dancefloor aesthetic. UK garage influences play a role in the style of this mix, and along the way, I also found some classic tracks I love placed and the right time, such as oh. - Charme 75, or Random Factor - Disconnect (which perfectly captures the breakbeat ending vibe of the mix). Overall, a perfect soundtrack choice to transition from nervously staring at your laptop on a late Friday afternoon to preparing yourself a margarita at 6 PM.
LOWMONEYMUSICMIX - 22 - NEMO VACHEZ
It wasn’t until recently I got familiar with Nemo Vachez’s output - the founder and operator of the Parisian label Forest Ill Rec and part of the Rakya Crew is one of the best representers of the fresh retro-futuristic sound taking over the French underground scene and beyond. Needless to say, his mix for Lowmoneymusiclove doesn’t let down one second - steadily rhythmic and enthrallingly crisp, this hour of groovy records flies by really fast as entertaining as it is. I love how Nemo’s selection style doesn’t shy away from playfulness in all its quality - you’ll get a fun vocoder here and there, and the basslines are always as moving as they can get. This is exactly the type of vigorously enjoyable mixes I’d love to hear on the dance-floor as soon as there’s an occasion again.
MEOKO Podcast Series | Pîrvu (#304)
Pîrvu would probably be the first name that comes to my mind if someone would ask me about up and coming Romanian producers taking over the scene in recent times. His productions are both consistent and innovative (his solo release on Meander last year was one of my favourite works in the minimal house realm of recent times) and his DJ mixes are no less interesting. I feel like the two hours of his latest mix for Meoko provide a good sample of both his influences and his current style, exploring syncopated hi-hats patterns, uplifting percussive house, funky breakbeats and much more, while always including a taste of deepness in styles and sounds. A much-recommended ride.
Saoirse - Timeless Series #23
Saoirse’s mix for the Timeless Series (the mix series of the homonymous label of Francesco Del Garda) was out today, just in time to give it a listen and deciding to include it in this feature. This mix moves among the hazy grey areas between house and techno with a subtle rave-oriented taste to it, and no fear to get rather dark or rapid as it evolves. Atmospheric and peculiar rather than banally catchy, this is exactly the kind of music that I'd want to hear at the 4 AM mark on an intense Saturday night club session - I’m already looking forward to giving it a second listen and to start looking for many track IDs from it.
GHOSTCAST 014 - DESYN
This one is not for the faint hearts - Desyn’s Ghostcast mix steamrolls in all its force with an extremely vibrant hour of lively, strapping breakbeat with touches of UK garage and house. The recording was taken from the last hour of his final Hoppetosse gig before corona, and you can clearly hear the energy levels, not only in the selection but also in the bold, swift transitions between the tunes. The kind of mix you’d want to put on to get your crew heated up before a night out.
POUTCAST #46: Lourene
I wasn’t familiar with the Brazilian DJ Lourene before this pleasant mix for Outcast popped up on my feed. I have to admit I did not recognise most of the records on this mix so I can’t say for sure, but I feel that most of the selection comes from the 90s or at least follows a clear 90s trancy electronic style. So if you are in the mood for following Di Caprio to The Beach in your next dreaming session, this mix can surely serve as a high-quality inspiration. Other than being a DJ, Lourene is also a vocalist and main promoter of Redoma, a multicultural urban occupation project focused on parties - we’ll follow her next outputs for sure.
