On Repeat: December 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, so does the On Repeat series. December’s edition of On Repeat will be the final of the written blog posts. I have loved writing each month’s edition over the past two years, however I am now ready to switch things up a bit and move on to other projects, including the Grooves on the Vinyl series and other things like more reviews and artist / release promotions. I will also soon be launching The Ruthless Raver mix series on Soundcloud in the next few months. On Repeat will still exist in playlist form, which I will update every month and post on socials for music fans to enjoy. But for now, here are my top ten favourite tracks I loved in December 2022:

Coatie Pop – City Song – First up for December is Coatie Pop’s City Song from their 2022 album Deathbed. Hailing from New York City, the duo describe themselves in their Instagram bio as a “post-punk grunge rave trip-hop duo”. Whilst it’s quite the mouthful, I would say it is a pretty accurate description. Particularly in this track, it’s like if Grimes and DJ Seinfeld collaborated; with lead singer Courtney Watkin’s soft fairy-like vocals alongside a morose synthesiser to underline the post-punk bassline.

Guilt Trip – Tearing Your Life Away – The second song for December is from Manchester crossover hardcore punk band Guilt Trip. Tearing Your Life Away was released as a single on Malevolence’s label M.L.V.L.T.D on the 2^nd of December and is also the band’s first release on the label. In true Guilt Trip style, and appropriately fitting to the label, the track is a metal smash hit, packed full of intense riffs and a brutal breakdown. What seemed to deliver as an early Christmas present from the Manchester lads, it’s an insane track to round off 2022 with as the year finished and is easily one of the best metal releases of the year. I got to see Guilt Trip for the first time in December at The Foundry in Sheffield, supporting New York’s Stray From The Path. Guilt Trip are one of the coolest bands in the scene right now and I can’t wait to see what they bring in 2023.

Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard? – It would be so wrong of me to not feature my darling Lana Del Rey when she releases her new single in December when I am getting ready to finish up 2022. Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard is the first single from the forthcoming album of the same name which is due to be released in March. It is typical of Lana, beautifully poetic and emotionally provoking like most of her best work, not to mention sonically calming and soft. She loves to devastate her dear listeners, with her themes of loneliness and heartbreak, which she has stuck with on this single, which is ultimately a song about her being forgotten over time and abandoned. Lana, I could NEVER.

Funk Tribu – Nakir – Moving ontothe uplifters for a bit now. This next track is from Colombian producer Funk Tribu, who has already put his stamp on the scene with his explosively colourful track Phonky Tribu. Nakir is from his latest EP Acid Angels and is the third and closing track on the EP which features a sample of Lil Uzi Vert’s XO Tour Life amongst high energy acid/trance/techno beats, with pumping bass starting on the upbeat, before the classic trance lead comes through, creating the melody.

Mall Grab – Without The Sun VIP –  Mall Grab released the deluxe version of his debut album, What I Breathe in December which features special additions of instrumentals and two VIP tracks, Without The Sun and Love Reigns; expanding the original track list to 21 components. The regular, first release of the album was featured in both Resident Advisor and Rough Trade’s top 100 albums of the year lists. Without The Sun VIP is still as anthemic as the original version, yet it has been transformed into a rave-ready staple with abrasive soundscape.

Drenge – Never Awake – I’ve been having a bit of a nostalgic fix recently, and have been listening to bands I loved when I was 17, so the likes of Fidlar, Peace and Drenge. The latter band, originally from Castleton, now Sheffield based where they first formed Drenge appeared in my Spotify daily mixes and it was like someone took a key and unlocked a memory, I cannot believe I ever forgot about this band. Never Awake is from their 2015 album, Undertow and was the second single released before the album. It is an amazing post-grunge track, opening with some patterning drums from Rory Loveless and twisting, mysterious vocal tones from frontman and older brother Eoin, with lyrics that cover subjects of love and loss.

Brutalismus 3000 – 3ISBAR – The latest single from Berlin gabber punks Brutalismus 3000 is 3ISBAR, released 9^th December. Notorious for their intense, murderous tracks I must say this one is the most “pop-py” and uplifting tracks of their catalogue so far, but without straying too far away from their hellish signature sound. They have dropped a bomb once again with 3ISBAR, which features a post-punk bassline with heavily down sampled drums which suddenly drops into a little hard trance beat, coupled with singer Victoria Daldas’ playful vocals.

Jack Marlow – Old’ On – One artist I discovered in December was Liverpool based Jack Marlow. I was scrolling through Instagram one day when I stumbled across a reel featuring his track Old’ On and I immediately added it to my liked songs and other Spotify playlists. The track is from his 2022 album Tastes Like the 90’s, released in August. I don’t know what the rest of the album sounds like as I have only heard this track, but I would say the album name is definitely appropriate for the vibe of Old’ On as there are some massive 90’s dance influences throughout, whilst simultaneously being the perfect mix of deep house and UK garage; This track is a classic before its time.

Renounced – Self Inflicted – the hardcore pick for this week is from London based band Renounced with their song Self Inflicted from their 2019 album, Beauty is a Destructive Angel and features Counterpart’s Brendan Murphy. Self Inflicted is the second track on the album after the instrumental opener Ghosts, before breaking into machine like drums and hammering riffs, before being met by vocals from frontman Daniel Gray. Such an explosive song, and a great full length opener for the album.

Black Sabbath – Sabbra Cadabra – Finally, we come to the last track of December’s, the last track for 2022 and the final track for the written On Repeat series. Sabbra Cadabra is by Black Sabbath (the clue is in the name) and is from their classic 1973 album Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. It is a love song originally written by Ozzy Osbourne but then changed by bassist Geezer Butler. Sabbra Cadabra oozes rock and roll without being too soppy, it is Black Sabbath after all. The song was later covered by Metallica in 1998 on Garage Inc. album

That’s a wrap for 2022 and the written series of On Repeat. I have absolutely loved creating this series over the past two years but now it is time for me to move on with other projects I have in store for 2023. The On Repeat playlist will still be on Spotify and I will still add to it each month, there just won’t be a readable version up on the blog exploring the ins and outs of each track. I will also be sharing each track individually on Instagram stories and adding the sound so that everyone can still hear my favourite top ten. I cant get rid of it completely!

I also would like to say the biggest of thank you’s to everyone who reads each post every month and those of you who follow the Instagram account, listen to the tracks and follow my playlists. None of the support goes un noticed and I am so grateful, I cannot wait for everyone to see what is coming this year.

December’s tracks can be found here:

On Repeat: November 2022

As the year draws to a close, I am preparing my final favourite tracks I have loved this year and drawing the written version of On Repeat to a close. Here are November’s favourite tracks:

English Teacher – R&B – First up for November is from a Leeds originating band called English Teacher. Their song R&B was released as a single in April 2021 and is about impressions people have on artists based solely upon appearance. The song is sang by lead singer Lily Fontaine with the remaining members providing backing vocals alongside initially interlocking guitar and tight rhythm before the energy is switched up with nerve shredding riffs.

Fontaines D.C – I Love You – A band I have fell in love with in the past few months is Dublin’s Fontaines D.C. They are definitely one of the best indie bands of this generation, with three incredible albums already in their catalogue. I Love You is from their latest album, Skinty Fia released in April this year. I saw them play at Leeds Festival this August and I specifically remember them playing this song which I think is my favourite of theirs so this moment in the setlist really stands out for me, this sparked my urge to listen to them more. It opens with some stunning guitar shortly followed by Grian Chatten’s vocals featuring his alluringly beautiful Irish accent. Whilst its not a love song, it certainly is a passionate perspective of the current state of affairs and political climate

Viagra Boys – Sports – Another band I have discovered lately and am really enjoying is Sweden’s Viagra Boys, who are an alternative, post-punk band who first formed in 2016. Sports is from their 2018 debut album, Street Worms. The song is a parody of hypermasculinity displayed by men when playing or talking about sports; within the narrative of the song there is a beach party going on with frontman Sebastian Murphy throwing out various types of balls used for sports, party-goers are eating hot dogs, smoking cigarettes and dope. Meanwhile the music grows with the tension, with vocals becoming increasingly deranged with Murphy screaming out “sports” as though clinging on to his manhood for dear life.

Jeff Buckley – Nightmares By The Sea – One of my favourite musical discoveries this year has been Jeff Buckley. Of course I have always known of him and his incredible cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah but this year I have really listened to his work and explored his creations. Nightmares By The Sea comes from the 1998 compilation album Sketches for My Sweetheart The Drunk, released a year after his death. The album features recordings he made in 1996 and 1997 as well as alternative mixes and demos. The song opens with eerie guitar which matches up with the vocal themes in the song. As well as his incredible voice, Jeff’s guitar playing is nothing to shy away from, some fantastic arrangements on so many if not all of his releases.

Porij – Figure Skating – The first dance release for November is Manchester’s Porij with Figure Skating, a lovely little bit of liquid drum and bass supported by sweet vocals from Eggy. The track was released in February this year as a single and is about “intimacy and sensuality in moments that aren’t overtly sexual” the band explained in an interview with NME. I really like this track as it clearly shows the band’s ability to experiment with other genres and it is something other bands and artists out there should admire and maybe even try themselves.

Mick Jagger – Gotta Get A Grip (Kevin Parker Remix) – It took me until I was 23 to like The Rolling Stones, and much to my surprise I even came across this Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) remix of Mick Jagger’s solo song, Gotta Get A Grip. The original version was released in 2017 as part of a 2 track single, alongside England Lost which featured Skepta. The remixed versions then followed shortly after with editions from Kevin Parker, Seeb, Alok and Matt Clifford. For his remix, Parker added fuzzed out guitar and his signature reverb to create a grittier, even more rock and roll version of the song.

PJ Harvey – Big Exit – I have also started listening to PJ Harvey throughout November, all thanks to me rewatching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. In an episode, Tristan buys Rory tickets to PJ Harvey’s concert in the hope he would go with her on a date (just for some context no one asked for). I’d heard of PJ Harvey before and I’m familiar with her work with Radiohead’s Thom Yorke but had never really listened until now. Big Exit is from her 2000 album, Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea, which was inspired by her time within New York City.

IDLES – When The Lights Come On – Here is another IDLES song, who I have featured in September’s edition with Samaritans. Just like Fontaines D.C, they’re another band I have really become a fan of this year. When The Lights Come On is the third track on their 2021 album Crawler, and is about vocalist Joe Talbot’s memories of being the last man standing at gatherings or nights out where alcohol and drugs are involved.

Joy Orbison, Overmono – Bromley – I went to Eat Your Own Ears at Warehouse Project this November and saw both Joy Orbison and Overmono for the second time. During their set, Overmono lightly teased Bromley, a collaboration produced by both artists in 2019, released on XL Recordings. For the most part of the track, not a lot happens. There is a lack of climatic moments and is mainly monotonous and repetitive, however fast forward to 3 minutes and 43 seconds into the song, this all changes. The beat drops and an unbidden vocal sample breaks through of “say it yeah”. The vocal lick returns throughout several times towards the end of the track and each time it appears it remains as startling as the first time you hear it. The sudden switch up in the track makes all the difference, the whole track almost feels like a hallucination. It is a staple British underground dance track, now loved by many.

Turnover – New Scream – The final track for November is from Virginian band Turnover. New Scream is the second track on their 2015 album Peripheral Vision, which had me and any other person into alternative “emo” dream pop in an absolute chokehold at the time of its release. The album is a timeless classic, it is both lyrically and musically so beautiful and will have a place in my heart forever. New Scream is one of the more underrated tracks on the album in my opinion, it feels like a breath of fresh air, even with how miserable the lyrics are on this song and the rest of Peripheral Vision. This album saw me through one of the darkest times in my life and whenever I listen to it, it feels like reuniting with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. I always turn to this album in the Autumn time, so for that reason it felt wrong to not include at least one song in the On Repeat Series.

That is it for November’s tracks, thank you so much for reading. As always, all ten tracks can be found and listened to in The Ruthless Raver Spotify playlist below:

On Repeat: October 2022

I really meant it when I said in September’s edition of On Repeat that my track selection would get darker the more into autumn and winter we get; because in October’s edition there are only three dance tracks! When it reaches mid-October, I tend to listen to a lot more grunge and rock than any other genre, it just feels like it fits the changing of the seasons. I’ll start with the three dance tracks and then discuss my other selections of grunge, metal and hardcore:

Tjade – Voyager (Marlon Hoffstadt AKA DJ Daddy Trance Remix) – The first dance selection for October is this trance number, Voyager, remixed by DJ Daddy Trance (otherwise known as Marlon Hoffstadt when he isn’t djing or producing under his trance alias, or previously known as Dansson when he formerly made house music belters such as Shake That from 2013). Originally by Netherlands based producer Tjade, the track was released in July this year on the four-track Voyager EP, including this remix, which boasts extended breaks and a high bpm alongside sparkling chords and acid trance interludes that unironically remind me somewhat of Darude’s Sandstorm. This is a great track of the new wave of trance-techno that has blown up this year.

Schak – Moving All Around (Jumpin’) (Feat. Kim English) – Next up and the second dance release for October is from North Shields newcomer Schak with his debut single Moving all Around (Jumpin’), released on fellow geordie Patrick Topping’s label, Trick. The track has been doing its rounds on social media both before and after release, in a video where Schak and friends invaded their local B&Q to host a kitchen sesh complete with decks and PA system, and other videos where they have been spotted on public transport including buses and the Newcastle Metro. The track is a complete party anthem, there hasn’t been a tech house track with this much wallop in a long time in my opinion, and the icing on the cake here is that it features vocal samples from the late, amazing, queen of house; Kim English.

Selker – Too Much For Me – The third and final dance track for October is up and coming scouse producer Selker’s Too Much For Me. This is another debut single, which first landed on Soundcloud last year and since its 1.6 million listens, has now been signed to huge label Warner Records and was officially released this July. Too Much For Me is a more modern, tempo-pushed take on the 2010 house mix of the 1995 Charlene Smith hit of the same name. What I can only imagine is relatively simple to do production wise, the tweaks and studio wizardry on Too Much For Me have certainly excelled it onto a path to become a timeless house classic for years to come. It has that really nice nostalgic house feel to it, like classic old school house. This is definitely the track I have had on repeat the most out of all of this month’s selections. It is an absolutely gorgeous track, I love it.

Melvins – Honey Bucket – Now its time for the rock picks. This is a song I found on one my spotify daily mixes and I’ve been obsessed with it. Melvins are a sludge metal grunge band, formed in Washington in 1983. Honey Bucket is from their 1993 album, Houdini and features a face screwing riff approximately one minute in. What drew me in initially were the vocals from Buzz Osborne that sound a lot like Metallica’s James Hetfield in the Garage Inc. era, right after the guitar work that is very Black Sabbath-esque. They never quite broke through the way they definitely should have done, but Honey Bucket and the rest of the Houdini proves that Melvins are one of the best kept secrets in metal.

Counterparts – Bound To The Burn – Canadian metalcore band Counterparts released their seventh album A Eulogy For Those Still Here on the 7th of October and I think it is definitely a contender for album of the year. My favourite song on there is Bound To The Burn, the third single released prior to the album, following the previous two singles, Unwavering Vow and Whispers Of Your Death. Bound To The Burn is a song about the pressures of making music for a living and the mental turbulence that comes with it, and features a bone-splintering breakdown and unrelenting drums.

Minerva – Deftones – Deftones are one of my favourite bands of all time and their music sounds like it was made perfectly for Autumn, or as I like to call it, Deftones season. I tend to listen to them more this time of year when the days are darker and shorter. One song I have had on repeat is Minerva from their self-titled album released in 2003. It has a heavy shoegaze influence throughout but is one Deftones’ more softer songs, a break from their usual heavy sound.

Alice in Chains – Rain When I Die – Another band I’m a sucker for this time of year are the great Alice in Chains. Rain When I Die is from their classic 1992 album Dirt which is one of the greatest albums of all time (fact, not opinion), and I also think this song in particular is one of the most underrated on the album. Frontman Layne Staley’s voice is at one of his best performances here, along with the guitar lick that just soothes the soul and utters out all emotion.

Joy Division – Interzone – I’ve recently finished reading Joy Division bassist Peter Hook’s book, Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division, and really enjoyed it. It is a really insightful book on the band and is full of interesting and funny anecdotes about them and what they got up to, as well as of course the delve into the album Unknown Pleasures and the stories and meaning behind the lyrics. I often listened to the album whilst reading the book (as recommended by Peter) and Interzone was the one song on the album that caught my attention on this particular day. This is one of few songs with Peter on vocals (as well as Ian Curtia) and is one of the less miserable sounding songs on Unknown Pleasures, it’s a song with a skip in its step.

Helmet – Like I Care – Helmet are a band I have recently discovered in the past few months and I’m really stoked to be writing about them and my new found love for them. I can’t remember ever hearing of them before which I’m surprised about because their music and sound is exactly the kind of post-hardcore rock music I love. Like I Care is from their 1997 Aftertaste album which got very poor reviews as far as I can see from my research. I haven’t listened to the album as a whole but if it is as bad as the critics say, I would be very surprised because I think this song rocks. It has a weighted bassline throughout alongside crashing drums and lyrics that sound very Deftones inspired by how suggestive and almost flirtatious they are. It’s your typical, late 90’s alternative rock. This song made me listen to their other works such as their 1994 album Betty, which is sick; I guess I should probably check out the rest of Aftertaste now too.

High Vis – Walking Wires – Finally, to wrap up October’s edition of On Repeat, I have selected a song from another band I have listened to a lot this past month or so. London-based post punk High Vis were at Outbreak this year and unfortunately I didn’t get to see them and hadn’t listened to them before, so I checked them out a couple of months ago and was absolutely kicking myself for not doing so earlier. They’re a really good band and I really like their song Walking Wires from their 2019 debut album No Sense No Feeling. Walking Wires was the first single before the album was released and has an absolutely stunning intro riff, met by pattering drums creating an 80’s style post punk sound.

That’s it for October, thank you for reading and be sure to check out all ten tracks, which have been added to The Ruthless Raver Spotify playlist below:

On Repeat: September 2022

September came around pretty quickly this year, which meant summer has well and truly ended; but I still managed to stretch the fun out for longer. I started a new job working from home (which gives me so much more time to focus on the blog and my writing), and gave myself a well deserved week off before I started, which included going to Alton Towers and lots of retail therapy, and then I went on holiday to Spain to finish the month off! Now summer is done, and autumn has arrived, its finally time for spooky season, which means On Repeat is about to get a whole lot darker! Here are my top ten favourite tracks I listened to the most in September:

AISHA, Franck – Bump It XO – The first track for September is a collaborative number from Scottish producers AISHA and Franck released in August on his label, Carouse Records. Bump It XO is from their EP, Helfy Rapid and is an ode to 00’s Scottish culture they experienced growing up and the current burgeoning European hard dance scene. Expect massive BPM, and massive energy. Make sure you check out the three-track EP as a whole if you love hard dance, this is a great release!

Jimmy Whoo – Nite Eye (Featuring Sabrina Bellaouel and Loubenski) – Slowing things down now, this next song comes from Parisian producer Jimmy Whoo featuring fellow French artists Sabrina Bellaouel on vocals and Loubenski on the production. Nite Eye is from his 2017 album, Motel Music Pt. II, which is part of his series of albums, all titled Motel Music (either part one, two, or three); and the third and most recent volume of which was released in June this year. Nite Eye is the only song of his I have listened to, but from this song alone you can immediately feel the sunset strip, motel vibes. French-Algerian singer Sabrina Bellaouel’s voice adds a delicate touch of R&B to the track, and alongside the electronic production makes a stunning late night song overall.

Skin On Skin – Burn Dem Bridges – Upping the pace again here, next we have the latest single from South Sudan born, Australian-based producer Skin On Skin, Burn Dem Bridges. The track went viral online before its release, as he played this in his incredible AVA Boiler Room set and rightly so, became one of the most highly awaited releases of this year. I won’t say too much as I wrote a new release article about this track for Oculate, which you can read here: https://oculate.uk/archive/music/burndembridges-sos

IDLES – Samaritans – IDLES are one of the most popular bands to come out of the UK in the past three or four years, and I have really got into them a lot lately. Samaritans is from their 2018 album, Joy As An Act Of Resistance and was one of the several singles released prior to the release of the album. The snarling punk song is a searing takedown of toxic masculinity, confronting the subject and exploring the mental pressures it causes. It is a song to make a statement, and makes IDLES one of the most important bands in UK punk.

bdrmm – Happy – From punk, and now to shoegaze from Hull five piece, bdrmm. Happy is from their 2020 album, Bedroom, which I assume is how you pronounce the name of the band, too. This is the only song I really know by the band, having not yet listened to the full album yet but if Happy is anything to go by then I am sure I will not be disappointed. What stands out to me the most is the beautiful guitar work on the song and nothing like what you may expect from typical melancholic shoegaze, Happy, as its title may suggest, is a bright and upbeat track, speaking of the release that comes from a breakup; a more positive account of a heartbreak which focuses on moving on with life.

The Rolling Stones – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ – The oldest release this month is The Stones’ Can’t You Hear Me Knockin, released on their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. It took me about 22 years to appreciate The Rolling Stones as I always though they were really overrated, but the more they have come up on my Spotify over the past two years, I am starting to think that maybe my music taste is just maturing like fine wine. This is my favourite song by them, opening with a Keith Richards guitar intro, this is pure rock and roll.

Antss – Stopp – I may be lowering the tone here quite a lot, as the next track selection for September is one of tech house from Antss, his single Stopp released in 2021 on Solid Grooves (yikes). It is not very often I find a tech house track that really wows me these days, but boy did I put any slander behind me after listening to Stopp for the first time. It embodies a no nonsense floor-filler , be that a dancefloor, kitchen floor or even the fields of summer festivals with its rubbery bass patterns, metallic drum shots and hooky vocal interjections.

Big Bite – Relentless Healing – Back to a more, shoegaze, grunge release now from Seattle band Big Bite, with their song Relentless Healing from their 2018 self titled album. Consisting of eight songs and only 22 minutes long, the album was released on Turnstile / Trapped Under Ice label Pop Wig. Relentless Healing features a monotone vocal and warbling guitar riffs, giving that post-punk feel. This is probably my favourite of September’s selection, just because of the grunge, post-punk sound I absolutely love.

Praise – Makes No Sense – Whilst were on the lines of rock releases, here is my final of the genre for September. Makes No Sense is a melodic hardcore song from Baltimore rockers Praise, who are another mash up band with members coming from other similar bands, including Champion’s Andy Norton on vocals, Turnstile’s Daniel Fang on drums, and members of Have Heart, Mindset and Sacred love.

Burnski – Go – The final selection for September and the final dance release is the British wizard of production Burnski’s track Go from his Trigger EP, released on the 2nd of September on Constant Sound. Go perfectly encapsulates UKG, with rough bass and a killer 4×4 groove, this is set to cause serious damage on a dancefloor.

Thank you for reading all about September’s favourites, all ten tracks have been added to the Ruthless Raver On Repeat Spotify Playlist below:

On Repeat: August

August was another fun filled month for me as always, I went to the very first Teletech Festival in Manchester at Bowler’s Exhibition Centre and Leeds Festival for the 5th time (and most definitely my last), and I even got to meet Mall Grab! Here are my top ten favourite tracks for August:

Show Me The Body – Loose Talk – I think everyone knows by now that I will literally never be over Outbreak this year so don’t expect me to stop going on about it any time soon. One band I hadn’t listened to much before the festival were Show Me The Body who played on the Sunday, and their set left me with a desire to listen to them some more. Loose Talk is the first single released this year from the New York hardcore trio, which came out in July after I saw them in June, and is a drawn-back curtain into what else is to come from the band.

Brian Eno – King’s Lead Hat – Next up is a new-wave, psychedelic rock song song from Brian Eno. Originally performing with Roxy Music, Eno left the band in 1973 and began working on his own extensive catalogue of music. King’s Lead Hat was released in 1977 and is the fifth track on his album, Before and After Science. King’s Lead Hat, in my opinion, is a seriously overlooked pop rock masterpiece; I am familiar with Brian Eno’s work such as the absolutely stunning Ending (Ascent) from zombie horror film 28 Days Later, but upon first listen I could not believe I had never heard this before until a few months ago. It is mechanically rhythmic, and the title of the song is actually an anagram of Talking Heads, as apparently it is supposed to be a tribute to them. After King’s Lead Hat, Eno went on to produce Talking Head’s second, third and fourth albums.

Dax J – China White – Techno king Dax J released his latest EP this August, titled Brixton. China White is the fourth and final track on the EP and my favourite on the release, the only problem is, it just leaves you wanting more from him, four tracks was not enough! Personally I think he really did save the best track until last here, its an explosion of face melting techno from the get go. Hopefully the EP is a teaser of another upcoming Dax album where we can hear more stuff like this, for longer.

Megan Thee Stallion – Captain Hook – I have absolutely no shame that my favourite set of Leeds Festival was Megan Thee Stallion’s on the Saturday night. I have always liked our Meg, I knew she was going to be good but I never thought she would be THAT good, she absolutely blew me away with her performance. Within her setlist, she sang the outrageous Captain Hook, from her 2020 album, Suga. I made a feeble attempt to pretend I knew the lyrics when I was watching her, but I managed nothing but a babble of gibberish, as you do when you literally don’t know what you’re saying. It was only upon my return home from Leeds festival when I Googled the lyrics, that I made the discovery that the song is actually a musical metaphor for a man who is phallically bent.

Rage Against The Machine – Know Your Enemy – I have spent most of my years wanting to see Rage Against The Machine live as they’re one of my favourite bands of all time; unfortunately my dream was shat on from a very great height they pulled out of Leeds festival this year and they were the only reason I was going which was fucking marvellous, and to make matters so much worse, they were replaced by The 1975 which felt like a very personal attack considering how much I don’t like their music. Know Your Enemy is from Rage’s 1992 self titled album featuring the political statement image of a burning monk, and features Tool’s Maynard James Keenan on the bridge. The song itself is about identifying those who are there to make us conform, and therefore are more effective in creating change. Frontman Zack De Le Rocha claimed his teachers were his enemies as they told him to fight his own humanity.

Kush Jones – Earth Note – The second dance release for August is from US producer Kush Jones. Earth Note is from his 2020 release, EP (which funnily enough is an EP), released on Future Times. The track has a loose groove but the energy is plentiful, all thanks to the deep synths alongside claps and high hats to create texture and emotion throughout.

Fantastic Man – Aurora Digitalis – Keeping with the dance releases now, the next one on the list is from German producer Fantastic Man. His track Aurora Digitalis was released in November 2019 on his EP DJ Mentality on Superconscious Records, which he co-runs. The track is layered with piano over hypnotising pads which draw to the peaceful sound of birdsong alongside a vocal “woo” sample. Overall a really great track that is making me miss the summer nights.

Mall Grab – Times Change (Feat. D Double E, Novelist) – One of my favourite releases of this year so far which came out in august is Mall Grab’s latest album, What I Breathe. Times Change is one of my favourite tracks on there, mostly due to the collaboration with grime MC’s D Double E and Novelist, both of whom’s music I like very much. The track is a divergence from Mall Grab’s regular, high-octane sound as it is rammed with rolling breaks and heavy basslines as well as murky, syncopated drum patterns. Times Change was one of the singles released before the album, I believe it was the second single after Understand with Turnstile’s Brendan Yates. Both London legends Novelist and D Double bring their own signature styles and finesse to the track, with intelligent lyricism, smooth flow and even hardcore influences seeping in. I was lucky enough to meet Mall Grab at Rough Trade in Nottingham shortly after the album was released, where he did a signing and played an intimate DJ set. He was so lovely and we had a great chat about music and his collaborations with Turnstile and Brendan.

Jacidorex – Titania – One of the more harder dance releases comes from Belgian techno don Jacidorex. Titania is from his most recent EP, Two Minded, also released in August on 999999999’s label, Nine Times Nine. Much like Dax J’s China White, this is another track where you are hit with soul splitting techno, it’s the musical equivalent of opening an oven door.

Politics Of Dancing X DJOKO & Lowris – And now ending on a more softer BPM, with some minimal house from legend of the genre DJOKO and Politics of Dancing with their collaborative track on the label of the same name as the artist, Politics of Dancing. The release is a two track EP featuring tracks from both DJOKO and Lowris, and DJOKO’s cut is a spaced out transcender of house with warm pads and metallic drums.

That wraps it up for August and for the summer. Coming soon will be September and October’s editions. I’m very excited to share my Autumn favourite tracks. All of August’s favourites have been added to the On Repeat Playlist on Spotify below:

On Repeat: July

Welcome back to another monthly roundup of my favourite tracks I listened to the most. Here are July’s top ten:

Cat Power – Pa Pa Power – American singer songwriter Charlyn Marie Marshall AKA Cat Power is notorious for her incredibly spell bounding covers of already amazing songs – if she covers something, you know it’s going to be good. Pa Pa Power is a cover of Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones’ (consisting of Gosling and Zach Shields) song from their only album, self titled. I went to see her this summer in July when she supported Pearl Jam in London at their British Summer Time gig at Hyde Park, unfortunately she didn’t play this (or her exceptional cover of Lana Del Rey’s White Mustang which I was hoping to hear the most) but did perform a setlist that included a cover of Bad Religion by Frank Ocean. She has a very distinct voice that is very drawing, and with the haunting, goth-themed lyrics of the Dead Man’s Bones duo, this is another top shelf cover for Power.

Negroni Nails – White Matter – An electro release I’ve had in my library for years, but seemed to have forgotten about. I was reminded of this when I ordered a Negroni cocktail for the first time (quite simply, the cocktail reminded me of the artist) when I was out in Sheffield this summer, which I won’t ever be doing again because of how strong it was, couldn’t even finish it and ended up giving it away. Anyway, White Matter is an outrageously groovy seven minute club-ready cut for dancing. This is one of my favourite electro tracks of all time.

Mac Miller – People Under The Stairs – This song comes from the latest of Mac Miller’s post-homously released albums, I Love Life, Thank You. The album was originally a mixtape he made in 2011, his sixth to be exact, then was re-issued this July. People Under The Stairs is the second song on the release, and is a really nice little interlude, which features a sample of San Francisco Knights by Los Angeles hip hop duo, People Under The Stairs, hence the title.

Locklead – Bumpin’ Headz – It’s been a while since I have included any minimal in the On Repeat series, but one track I couldn’t get enough of this summer was Locklead’s Bumpin’ Headz, released in December 2021 on Chris Stussy’s label, Up The Stuss. The track is thriving with shimmering, bouncy chords.

Body Maintenance – Glass Faces – My favourite rock release of July is from Australian post-hardcore band Body Maintenance. Glass Faces is from their self titled EP, released in February 2021 on Unwound Records. This is the opening track on the EP and it bursts with grimy punk, cloudy guitar tangled with frontman Riley Stafford’s looming vocals. They were hard to research as they have no online presence whatsoever, and the EP is their only release so far. Hopefully they will release more like this because this is one of my favourite songs at the moment and I love the badass, grunge feel to it.

Chris Liberator & Sterling Moss – Croydon Girl – The techno release for July is the ever-classic, Croydon Girl by infamous duo Chris Liberator & Sterling Moss, originally released in 2011 on a Stay Up Forever compilation. If you’re into techno, this track needs no introduction. If you aren’t, you will be after listening to this. It’s a guaranteed party starter and always a hit on a dancefloor. It’s throbbing with acid techno and a thundering percussion alongside a pounding kick drum and a heavy, rumbling bass. Not to mention the iconic vocal sample of, “cos I love fat 303’s, fat rigs, fast drugs, fuck you”.

Pearl Jam – Even Flow – As mentioned earlier, I went to see Pearl Jam in London this Summer after an eight year wait to see them since I was 16. Even Flow is from their 1991 album Ten. This is one of the greatest rock albums ever made and Even Flow is my favourite track on there and in my opinion one of Pearl Jam’s best. It opens immediately with a guitar riff and straight into Eddie Vedder’s vocals, which are the narration of the life of a homeless person. In this song., they have managed to turn such sore subject into a solid greatest hit of rock.

Pixies – Debaser – I also saw Pixies play at Hyde Park alongside Pearl Jam and Cat Power, which was a dream come true for me as I have loved them for such a long time too, and Doolittle is one of my personal favourite albums ever. Debaser is my favourite song from the album which was released in April 1989. I was waiting for this to be played throughout their set, and when they finally did I was in the queue for the bar! But I still managed to have a dance and sing along when I was getting my pint before running back to the crowd to enjoy the rest of their set. The opening bass on this song is smooth, ever present throughout the song as the verses and chorus come in, Debaser took ten minutes to write and inspired Kurt Cobain.

AADJA – Falling In A Dream (D. Dan Remix) – Another techno release for July is American born, German based D.Dan’s remix of Canadian producer AADJA’s track Falling In A Dream. The remix was released in July 2021 on AADJA’s EP of the same name. It is a deep, pulsing power dub of groove techno with that more darker, streamlined feel to it.

Nina Kraviz – Skyscrapers (Dissolver Remix) – Finally for July, we have Dutch producer Dissolver’s remix of Russian techno aficionado Nina Kraviz’ track Skyscrapers. This version of the track was teased several times including in Dissolver’s HÖR set earlier this year and was released on the 22nd of July. It has that very distinctive sound of his, and it starts off with heavy thuds but builds up nicely to a really uplifting track overall. This is my second favourite remix of the track, after Hi-Lo (Oliver Heldens)’s take.

Thank you for reading about July’s top ten, all tracks added to The Ruthless Raver: On Repeat playlist below:

On Repeat: June (Outbreak Festival Special)

June was a sick month for me, I went to Download festival for the first time (for the Saturday, on my own), saw Chaos in the CBD and Interplanetary Criminal, Red Hot Chili Peppers and went to Outbreak Festival in Manchester. I have already touched on Download in May’s edition of On Repeat, and always pick dance music tracks so I’m gonna do something different for June. This is an Outbreak Festival special edition, where I am going to pick ten songs from my favourite bands I saw that weekend:

Counterparts – Nothing Left To Love – First up for the Outbreak special edition of On Repeat is Counterparts’ Nothing Left To Love from their 2019 album of the same name. It’s the closing song on the album and is beautiful one to finish with. The Canadian hardcore band warmed up for the festival on the Thursday night at the pre show on the second stage, alongside Guilt Trip, Static Dress and a couple of others. They didn’t play this song during their set, and they didn’t even play The Disconnect (???), but they still killed it all the same.

Incendiary – Front Toward Enemy – This was my first time seeing Incendiary, who I have been listening to since early 2020. Front Toward Enemy is from their 2017 album, Thousand Mile Stare, which is fucking sick from start to finish, definitely my favourite album from them. They played the main stage on the Friday afternoon which was the first official day of Outbreak and they were absolutely brilliant, I would love to see them again for sure.

Your Demise – The Kids We Used To Be – Also on the Friday on the main stage was UK hardcore band Your Demise. I used to love them when I was in school and had never seen them before this day, so a nostalgic void was filled, and I was lucky to catch this set as apparently it was their final performance together as a band. TKWUTB is from their 2010 album of the same name, and their third studio album. It’s definitely one of their more fun, poppy tracks and it never gets old.

Knocked Loose – All My Friends – A band I have listened to and loved for a long time now are Knocked Loose, and I finally got to see them for the first time at Outbreak, as they headlined the main stage on the Friday night. Their set was absolutely insane, I was both blown away and terrified all at the same time. Bryan Garris is an incredible frontman, the energy during their set was something else. People were getting escorted out by first aiders and even wheelchaired out, after they had to stop their set due to it getting so wild in the pits, I hope everyone was okay and didn’t rock out too hard. All My Friends is from their 2014 debut Pop Culture EP, and was then re-released on the 2019 Mistakes Like Fractures single. They played All My Friends in their Outbreak set , where they were also joined by Malevolence’s Alex Taylor for this song. Malevolence were also the secret set on the Friday which was awesome.

Superheaven – Around The Railing – Superheaven played on the Sunday which was what I had waited all weekend for as I had want to see them for years, their 2013 Jar album is one of my favourites of all time – I have mentioned it before as I’ve featured Knew from the album in my On Repeat series before. It was so good to finally hear some of their songs from Jar played live as well as other songs from their second album Ours Is Chrome, which came out in 2015.

Basement – Bad Apple – One of the sets I was looking forward to the most and one of my favourites all weekend was Basement’s, where they did a ten year anniversary set dedicated to their albums, Colourmeinkindness and I Wish I Could Stay Here. Bad Apple was the second song on the setlist and it’t one of my favourite songs they have done, it’s a metaphor for a person who is enticing and delicious on the outside but bitter and problematic on the inside. I think this was my third time seeing Basement and they were brilliant as always.

Turnstile – Alien Love Call – Another one of my favourite sets that weekend was Turnstile’s, who are one of my favourite bands. I saw them for the first time in January this year in Nottingham on the T.L.C tour and they were amazing so it was great to see them again, but this time at a festival. This time around at Outbreak was the better time I saw the of the two, it was so much more fun in the big warehouse where the main stage was with so many other people there. Their set was crazy and fun-fuelled, and I came out wet through with sweat! Alien Love Call is from their latest album Glow On and is one of two songs on the album featuring British alternative R&B producer Blood Orange, AKA Dev Hynes. This is one of their slower, sadder songs but it is such a flex for a hardcore band to be collaborating with Blood Orange.  

Fiddlehead – USMA – Another band I have been listening to since early 2020 is Pat Flynn’s band Fiddlehead, consisting of other Have Heart members and members of Basement also. They played Saturday afternoon on the main stage and I really enjoyed their set, I have become really fond of them over the past two years and they mean a lot to me. USMA is from their 2018 album Springtime and Blind and is one of the singles released prior to the album. This is a song about grief, in which Flynn reflects on the death of his father, so there’s something I can really relate to and resonate with in this one.

Loathe – Two-Way Mirror – Loathe are a band I hadn’t listened to much at all before Outbreak, but after seeing their set on the Sunday it definitely made me want to listen to them more, which I have been doing. Something about Scouse metal bands seems funny, especially the way frontman Kadeem France asks the crowd if they’ve been drinking enough water. Two-Way Mirror has incredibly strong Deftones vibes (no surprise why I picked this song for them!) I really love the ambient, dreaminess of this song and it is certainly far away from their heavier, screamier songs which are also just as sick.

Drug Church – Weed Pin – We managed to catch a bit of Drug Church on the Saturday as well and from what I saw of their set they were really good. Not a band I massively listen to, as I went for their more popular songs that I knew (Million Miles of Fun, But Does It Work?, for example). Weed Pin is from the band’s 2018 album, Cheer and is a satirical take on social and political matters of adulthood, finding work when you don’t know what to do with life.

Thank you so much for reading, the On Repeat playlist has been updated below, and I hope to see some of you at next year’s Outbreak Festival at Mayfield Depot!

On Repeat: May 2022

Here are my top ten tracks I loved the most in May ’22:

ESG – Dance – The first track for May is New York’s all female band from the 70’s ESG’s Dance. I came across this track from my Spotify daily mixes and despite its age, it is one of the grooviest and coolest songs. Dance was originally released on the band’s first full length album Come Away With ESG in 1983 and has been sampled in many speed garage tracks of the 90s and have been very influential amongst other genres including hip hop and dance-punk. I had never even heard of ESG before I listened to this song, so they are clearly one of the best kept secrets of the 70’s and 80’s.

Rove Ranger – In My Mind – Next up is In My Mind from German producer Rove Ranger. In My Mind was released on Asquith’s label Lobster Theremin in May 2020 on the EP 101010 and is a sexy cut of peak time techno with 90’s nostalgia. It blends lush vocal samples of the track title “In My Mind” with more housier elements and squelching basslines, definitely a club pumper.

Hermeth – Situationship – An electro pick for this month is Swiss DJ and producer Hermeth’s track Situationship from his 2019 album After My Bae. This is a track I have loved for a few months so it had to get a feature at some point in the series. Hermeth is an artists for those that love electro (obviously) as well as breaks and getto tech. This will be the vibe track for the summer ahead I have planned, it is dirty breakbeat meets electro, and features a sample of Iggy Azalea’s Work.

Coon Daddy – Big Baller – Another electro track for May is Coon Daddy’s Big Baller, released on Databass Records back in December 2004 on the Big Baller EP. This is one of my favourite tracks I have discovered recently, again, thanks to Spotify daily mixes. It is a track loved by the likes of Partyboi69 which is no surprise as it is a head bopper of a track that sounds like it belongs in the tiled bathroom of Berlin’s Hor mix series.

Viers – Dolphin Telephone – Here we have some breakbeat mixed with piano house from UK producer Viers aka Jordan Saxton. This is definitely more of a summer track due to its genre elements as it is so uplifting and pours out good vibes with an old school sound. It is also one that could be deemed as a festival essential for a house music set in the sunshine, attracting that front left crowd.

Ice Nine Kills – Hip To Be Scared – Now for the non-dance music related releases, I’ll start off with one by a band I have become very familiar with after seeing everyone’s Instagram stories and Tiktok’s of Bring Me The Horizon’s Malta Weekender, Ice Nine Kills. I began listening to them as they played the Saturday at Download festival which I attended the following week. This song in particular is a pop punk take on American Psycho’s most popular song on the soundtrack, Hip To Be Squared, originally by Huey Lewis and The News.

Deftones – Rocket Skates – The main reason I went to Download was to see Deftones, who have been my favourite band since I was about 15/16. Rocket Skates is from their 2010 album Diamond Eyes and is one of their heavier, screaming songs. This was on their Download setlist so I got to hear the roars of “guns, razors, knifes”.

Jeff Buckley – Grace – I have had a Jeff Buckley obsession this year, I don’t really know what started it off but Grace from the album of the same name is an absolutely stunning song and I wish I had began listening to him sooner. He was a man of pain and passion, and you can hear it through his voice and lyrics.

Bad Seed – Justice Deserved – Next is one of my favourite hardcore punk discoveries from my Spotify daily mixes, Pennsylvania’s Bad Seed’s song Justice Deserved from their self titled EP released in 2009. It’s badass and packs a solid riff, and the lyrics represent an anger towards a wrong-doer. You can’t help but shout along and feel the frustration.

Megadeath – Symphony of Destruction – Finally for May is another Download-esque song from Megadeath who also played at the festival this year. Sadly we missed them as we were waiting for Deftones who came on late. I had never listened to Megadeath much before the line up was released but Symphony of Destruction is one that stands out to me the most. It opens with a harmonic choir, then goes straight into a gritty guitar intro, and I would say it is a proper dad rock classic!

Thanks for reading, playlist updated below:

On Repeat: April 2022

Here are my top ten tracks for April 2022:

Matrakk – Sexfriend Is Better – First up for April is French producer Matrakk’s track, Sexfriend is Better; which was released in March 2021 on the compilation album, VA003 by French label Maison Close, alongside other amazing electronic talent such as CLTX, Charlie Sparks and Dissolver. The track is melodic techno but with pounding kicks, which also features a sample of N.E.R.D’s song, Everyone Nose (All The Girls Staning In the Line For The Bathroom).

Tender Games – Movin’ – Now for something of more of an electronic soul and funk kind of vibe, from German-Jamaican producer Tender Games, project of singer songwriter Ulrich Harrison. Movin’ is a mix of funky groove and disco feeling, and as the title would suggest, it certainly makes you shake a leg. If you are a fan of Thundercat, you’ll definitely catch on to this one. The track was released in April 2019 on Berlin label Midnight Snacks, and the single features remixes from two incredible artists, Marlon Hoffstadt and Black Loops.

Cousn – Papped – More of an upbeat track this one, from Bristol based duo Cousn (who funnily enough, are cousins). Papped is a party and rave anthem made for a club. There are also some massive clear influences from the Chemical Brothers here within this track. The duo’s music appears to be a symbiosis of disco, house and acid, experimenting with the blending of multiple genres at once.

Ed Hodge – Hot Point – Hot Point is a track of minimal house by up and coming British producer, Ed Hodge. This was released in January this year, on the four-track EP, Virtual Resistance on Manchester based label Dansu Discs. Virtual Resistance is a split EP with fellow UK producer Harrison BDP, as both producers have two tracks each on the release. Hot Point is a high energy, thumping track with a deep bassline that echoes the vibe of production gods like Jamie Jones.

Deniro – MPC Tracks A1 – One of the finest of his craft, Netherlands DJ and Producer Deniro released his most recent EP, MPC Tracks this month on label Self Reflektion. MPC Tracks A1 is the first on the four tracker and is overflowing with adventurous groove, another hit from a minimal techno king.

Stranger – Untitlebret – Another techno track for this month is Rotterdam based DJ Stranger’s track Untitlebret from the August 2021 single “Untitlebret / Rok Da Place“, also released on Self Reflektion, which is actually Stranger’s label. Mitchel Polderman (AKA Stranger) combines modern techno with the old school classic sounds, featuring a sample of Technotronic’s Pump Up The Jam, whilst giving it a much darker feel.

DJ Heartstring – Met Her At Bäreneck – One of my favourite artists of 2022 so far, who are skyrocketing their way to the top are Berlin based duo, DJ Heartstring, who I have featured in a previous edition of On Repeat. Their track Met Her At Bäreneck is the opening track from their EP of the same name which was released this month on Lobster Theremin. Their music catalogue is uplifting and euphoric trance which appears to be another sub genre that is becoming increasingly popular within dance music and the current rave climate, and this track shows exactly that.

The Eagles – Take It Easy – The first of only two rock releases of this month is by one of my favourite older, classic rock bands, The Eagles with their song Take It Easy from their self titled 1972 album. They were a band who were always playing in my house growing up so I have been surrounded by their music from a very young age. Take It Easy is one of my favourite songs of all time and is one of many signature songs from the band, with its catchy verses and nice harmonies. Borderlining country music, it captures themes of the American Dream and is the perfect song for a road trip with Friends.

Limp Bizkit – Break Stuff – The second and final rock release for this month is late 90’s, early 2000’s nu-metal band Limp Bizkit’s angsty anthem, Break Stuff. As the title would suggest, it is a song about the human boiling point and uncontrollable anger. It is the fourth and final single from their fourth studio album, Significant Other, released in 1999. This is one of their best songs they have in their catalogue, and generally one of the better songs to listen to for those grumpy days, it is an unapologetic metal anthem .

Darius, Wayne Snow – Helios (Myd Remix) – To finish off April’s edition, this is one of my favourite dance tracks I have found lately and cannot stop listening to it. It is so uplifting and euphoric, and features French piano house with vocal samples from the original track. Easily set to be a Summer banger of a remix from French producer Quentin Lepoutre aka Myd.

Grooves On The Vinyl #001 – Mall Grab – Pool Party Music

Australian magician on the decks Jordon Alexander AKA Mall Grab established his place in house music and solidified his rise to fame with his 2017 EP Pool Party Music. Released on Hot Haus Recs, the EP is the essential collective of tracks for a summer playlist.

Starting with the opening track of the same name, Pool Party Music, as it’s title suggests, it’s the perfect soundtrack for poolside listening. In the summer, under the belting sun, soaking up the heat with cocktails and friends. This a really fun track made for sunny days. Track two, B.F.O.D.A.A.S. has more of the lower tempo, chilled out vibe that is a little bit calmer but still packs a swinging sound like a New York house track. The closing track, Catching Feelings is a lovely one to wrap up the EP with. This track circulated over the internet in 2016 before its official release on the Pool Party Music EP, one reason being it boasts an Outkast sample and some super smooth production.

My favourite track on the EP is definitely it’s opener of the same name, Pool Party Music; although it has solid competition with Catching Feelings for me, mainly because Catching Feelings always brings such a nostalgic feeling to me when I listen to it, it reminds me of the summer 2018 when I first started getting into house music properly and broadening my musical discoveries into lo-fi and other sub genres, and also of the many afters I went to and put this on.

Mall Grab himself has always been one of my favourite artists and every time I have been to one of his gigs or seen him at a festival, he has always put on an outstanding set. I really respect him as both a DJ and producer and he always seems like such a fun, humble and down to earth guy. I love listening to his earlier releases like this and comparing them to where he is at now and looking at how far he has come since his early 20s.

Sadly the EP is no longer on spotify, but you can stream a couple of the featured tracks below, as well as other classics including I’ve Always Liked Grime and Menace II Society:

thank you so much for reading the first proper edition of Grooves On The Vinyl, I hope you liked it and I am really excited for further editions and continuing the series alongside On Repeat.