The latest record in my collection is a Record Store Day 2023 exclusive, released on the 22nd of April. Scuba’s Hardcore Heaven is a 12 inch wax disc which is six tracks of a fresh take on euphoric 90’s style hardcore with production features such as hard-edged beats, euphoric breakdowns and helium vocals.
I haven’t bought many records in a while due to attempting to save money during the cost of living crisis, however when I saw a few video snippets of the EP being played on Old Skool Hardcore’s Instagram page, I immediately fell in love with track 5, Yesterday. With this being a RSD exclusive release, at the time I bought this there wasn’t a digital copy to buy online (however there are now streams on Spotify and Soundclound if you do want to check it out yourself without paying for a physical copy), so I headed to google to see where I could purchase such an audible beauty.
I bought it from Horizons Music, who have a massive catalogue of records on their online site. I have never bought a record from them before until now but I will definitely be buying from them again. They sell records of all genres – not just dance so be sure to have a nosey at what you could also pick up from there too https://www.horizonsmusic.co.uk/ !
I love both versions of hardcore (punk sub genre and the dance genre) and this is the first dance hardcore vinyl in my collection. Not only does it sound brilliant, but it is also a really pretty number to add to my collection with the green splatter across the neon yellow.
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:
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:
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 yearand 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:
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!
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!
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.
March soon came around after what was a very fast beginning to 2022. I’m slowly but surely getting back on track with my writing and post commitments after a very busy start to the year, with preparing for my driving test (which I passed, woo!), preparing for Tribal Warehouse’s opening 2022 show with Skream, and being appointed as event manager for Nottingham based event brand Intuition Events. This time only a little late; here are my favourite songs I had on repeat in March:
Malevolence – On Broken Glass – Sheffield based heavy metal band Malevolence released their first of two new singles in late February, On Broken Glass. They also announced their new album, Malicious Intent, due for release on the 20th May this year. I heard them play On Broken Glass live for the first time in September, where they played a hometown gig in Sheffield alongside Leeds based hardcore band Rough Justice and Essex based Splitknuckle, where they actually filmed the video for On Broken Glass that day. The single is sublime, as is the second of the singles, Life Sentence. I am predicting an absolutely massive year for them after the album release. They are heavy metal royalty and deserve so much more recognition from outside of the UK hardcore scene as well as the dedication from current UK fans. Expect eye watering riffs and gut rendering vocals.
Overmono – Gunk – Brothers Tessela and Truss released their first single of 2022, Gunk on the 8th of March. The track is taken from the London based duo’s upcoming project, Cash Romantic, due for release on the 8th of April. Gunk is an addictive listen, which fuses elements of house and techno with UK garage. The single cover artwork features a gorgeous Doberman, much like the artwork for Diamond Cut/Bby, and the Everything U Need EP.
DJ Steaw – Tribute To Doug Willis – A minimal house pick now from Parisian DJ and producer DJ Steaw. Tribute To Doug Willis is from Steaw’s West Side EP released in March 2019 on ever popular label, Rutilance Recordings. The track is a funky, deep house cut with a French touch featuring a sample of British DJ and house producer David Russel Lee aka Doug Willis’ I Got It.
Folly Group – Sand Fight – One of my favourite indie discoveries of recent is Sand Fight by London based collective Folly Group. Within the song, Sand Fight delivers an audio-ode to the quartet’s youth of being carefree with limitless energy. From their 2021 EP, Awake and Hungry, this song is an essential for your indie playlist. Their sound is slightly reminiscent of the likes of Idles, and they are definitely a band to listen out for.
Joe Unknown – Ride – Another indie pick for this month is Joe Unknown’s Ride. The song is his only release on Spotify, adding a mysterious element to his overall demeanour as an artist. Spoken word vocals combined with gritty, urban lyrics describing day to day British Culture. Not quite rap but now quite punk, Joe Unknown has a distinct sound similar to the likes of Slaves, Sleaford Mods or Slowthai.
Sunny Day Real Estate – The Blankets Were The Stairs – This song is a discovery I made from TikTok, where creators ask day to day people roaming the streets what songs they are listening to. I already knew Sunny Day Real Estate from their songs In Circles and Song About An Angel, which are on the same album as The Blankets Were the Stairs, called Diary which was released back in 1994. Having never listened to the album in full, I hadn’t heard this song before I had seen the TikTok, which lead me to listen to the full album, and it is a perfect example of 90s grunge punk. Featuring whiney vocals like most soft punk bands, and a lovely bass pattern in the chorus.
DJ Mell G – I Fuck As I Live – Spotify discover weekly came through with the electro in March with German based producer DJ Mell G’s I Fuck As I Live. The single was released in 2020 and is a fast paced banger which combines various styles in one track, showing just how badass on production she is. I can expect the likes of DJ Stingray to be rinsing this track in future sets!
The Clash – The Magnificent Seven – I don’t often feature classic, iconic bands within my posts, as it often goes without saying. The Clash need no introduction, but they are one of the best bands ever to come out of the UK and the original punk scene. The Magnificent Seven is one I’ve had on repeat throughout March as it was sampled in Pete Tong’s mix for The Ministry Of Sound’s The Annual II, which I have been listening to on my way to work in the car. The song was inspired by the likes of US early rap musicians The sugar hill Gang and The Grandmaster Flash and is one of the earliest recorded attempts of a band attempting to write and perform rap, especially with its lyrics of social and political content. The Magnificent Seven is one of The Clash’s most underrated songs in my opinion, and irrefutable proof of their eclecticism. Listen out for the killer bassline alongside Joe Strummer’s songwriting *chef’s kiss*.
Dissolver – Amputee Thai Chi – One of my favourite artists at the moment who I cannot stop listening to is Dissolver, and if you asked me for my top five DJs, he would be up there. Amputee Thai Chi is a pumping electro track featuring an intriguing build up to claps and a vocal sample leading up to a perfect drop, back to low thudding kicks all put together with those elements. The track comes from the compilation album COURTOISYD03, featuring other artists such as Frazi.er and Charlie Sparks. At only 23 years old, the Netherlands producer his soaring up to an incredibly high status within dance music, if he isn’t there already.
SNTS – Hopeless (Paula Temple’s Descent Into Madness Remix) – Finally, my irl soundtrack pick for this month is Paula Temple’s remix of SNTS’ Hopeless. I went to Re-Textured at Printworks where I finally got to see Paula, and this track was one I listened to the most before attending to increase the excitement. Both SNTS and Paula Temple are well known in techno for their unrelenting sounds both in DJ sets and production, with high bpm and industrial components to provide an audio experience into hell. This track does exactly that, taking you deep into the realms of underground industrial techno.
Spotify playlist with all tracks from my On Repeat series has been updated as always, which you can find below. Have a listen for yourself! :
Welcome to the first edition of On Repeat for 2022. Here are my top ten tracks I loved the most in the first month of the the year.
Pretty Girl – Sun Phase (Human Movement Remix) – Australian producer Human Movement’s remix of also Australian producer and singer Pretty Girl’s Sun Phase feels like a collaboration of two worlds, by sounding like both a fresh and electric club cut, whilst at the same time a melodic head release and a breath of fresh air. Sun Phase features airy melodies and romantic vocal samples to make a frenetically charged dance track, released in July 2021 on Gallery Recordings.
Baltra – Dreaming Of A Disco – Philadelphia raised, but New York based Baltra has delivered an effortlessly lovely disco track on the EP of the same name, released in August of last year on the ever impressive label, Shall Not Fade. The four track EP is Baltra’s first full length EP since 2019, which opens with disco loops and 80s chords held down by a bassline so infectious that you just can’t not listen to it.
Trudge – No Future – This has been on my heavier dance music release favourites playlist for quite some time now, and after having lost it deep within the collection, I recently reconnected with this track thanks to my Spotify daily mixes. This is a single released in October of 2020, and is an industrial techno track with just a little bit of bounce. This dancefloor shaker of a track deserves to be blasted within warehouse raves across the world, in the darkness only illuminated the strobe lights.
Lauer – Trainmann (Tensnake Franceman Mix) – German DJ and producer Tensnake took to the studio in March of 2012 and remixed fellow German producer Lauer’s track Trainmann. This house track features an impressive electric synth loop, combined with a funky bassline making it an overall bright and beaming track that almost sounds like it could be a disco tune. It would be perfect for those sunny afternoons in a festival field, when the day turns to night.
Echoes Of October, Tham – Jane Fonda – It wouldn’t be On Repeat if I didn’t feature at least one track of hard techno. German and Polish DJs and producers Echoes of October and Tham collaborated to create Jane Fonda, which comes from a VA compilation album released in 2020 called TAR Various Artists, featuring tracks from techno DJs such as Rebekah, DYEN and more. This track in particular has an intense build up and vocal samples from the New York actress and fitness guru herself, just with a lot more distortion in her voice.
999999999 – P05535510N – Italian techno duo 999999999 (pronounced nine by nine, I think), were part of the first VA released on French label Possession in 2020 with their track, suitably called P05535510N. This EP also features Hector Oaks & DJ KAOS11, Nene H and Pawlowski, but this one is my favourite out of the four tracks on there, this one being the third. The Mario & Luigi of techno music go in HARD on P05535510N, but then again, when do they ever fail to satisfy on a release? This was a fantastic track to be selected for the first VA, and set the tone of what else to expect from the label brilliantly, aggressive techno at its finest.
Porij – 150 – On the more softer side of tracks for this month, I have selected Manchester based Porij’s 150, released on 2020 on the quartet’s debut EP, Breakfast. I am a sucker for the slower, soft indie instrumental tracks and this one in particular features stunning use of guitar that is addictively soothing, and a female vocal sample, with the only lyrics throughout the track being, “tell me what you want me for, me for”.
Joy Orbison, Léa Sen – Better – Joy Orbison’s track Better featuring Léa Sen is the second track I have featured in my On Repeat series from his album Still Slipping Vol. 1; but how can I help it when it’s just so damn good? The album is my favourite from 2021 and this track and Bernard? are my two favourites from the glorious body of work. Last time I featured Bernard? and it was a close call between that or this, so it got a feature on my January favourites playlist. Anyway, Better is one of the more lyrical pieces on the album, which boasts gorgeous vocals from Léa, adding the overall silky smooth feeling of the track, it is electro with elegance and class.
Chromatics – Cherry – One track I have been absolutely obsessed with throughout January (and the rest of 2022 so far if I am completely honest) is Cherry by The Chromatics. This is another one of my discoveries from my Spotify daily mixes; after I heard it for the first time and initially thought it was Schoolboy Q’s Man Of The Year, until upon looking at my phone I realised I was wrong, but then also went on to discover that this is in fact the original track he sampled the opening beat from on his hit song from the 2014 classic Oxymoron album. I have a lot of respect for Chromatics after their track Tick of The Clock was featured on the soundtrack for my favourite film, Drive; so it was lovely to delve an inch further into their catalogue. This is an amazing song with hauntingly beautiful shoegaze-like instrumentals throughout, and one for warm night drives, and one that evokes a feeling of fearlessness.
Turnstile – Real Thing – One event I attended in January was Turnstile’s Nottingham date on their UK tour of their 2021 hit album, Glow On. Like I always do, I kept myself excited by listening to their releases in the lead up to the gig. Real thing is the opening song on their 2018 Time & Space album, which sets the tone for the rest of the album with frontman Brendan Yates’ edgy and sharp vocals as well as sludgy guitar riffs. If you’re not yet into hardcore, you will be after listening to Turnstile and Time & Space in full especially.
October has been a weird one for tracks I have loved this month. I’ve been exploring new genres and getting into garage a lot more, but have also reconnected with my love for post punk rock, whilst maintaining the same love for 140+ bpm techno and electro and deep house. There has also been some amazing new releases from some of my favourite artists. You could say October’s edition of On Repeat is a real cocktail of tracks.
St. Germain – Thank You Mum – French musician Ludovic Navarre AKA St. Germain’s track Thank You Mum from is 1995 album Boulevard is one deep, underground 90’s house track I have been loving through October. Inspired by French jazz house music, this track has one deep bassline flowing through, paired with a blues vocal sample (of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ Mama Blues) and a layer of harmonica that is the secret ingredient to Thank You Mum; which I now think is one of the best deep house tracks ever made, my mind was truly blown when I first heard this. I shall be checking out the rest of the album and listening to more of St. Germain for sure.
Shawn Cartier – Parking Lot (VIGILE Remix) – For this month’s techno / electro selection, I have included Scottish producer, Franck’s remix of Newcastle DJ Shawn Cartier’s track Parking Lot, which he remixed when he was formerly known as Vigile, on his 2020 EP, also called Parking Lot. This is a high energy track, made for offending your neighbours and making dancefloors shake with good vibrations.
Lustral – Everytime (Nalin & Kane Mix) – Next up on the list of October is German production duo Nalin & Kane’s Remix of British electronic producers (also a duo) Lustral’s Everytime. This is a Balearic trance interpretation of the song from 1997, in the peak years of trailblazer trance music. From the build up to the breakdown, this remix of the 90’s trance classic is an absolute masterpiece. It is sensual and mystical, enough to quite literally put one in a trance.
Overmono – So U Kno – Time for some breakbeat and ambient bassquakes now, from British rave and techno duo Overmono. The Russell brothers, Tom and Ed have also previously worked solo on their own projects as Tessela (Ed) and Truss (Tom), before forming as Overmono. So U Kno has a really nostalgic garage feel and sound to it, as though it were released years ago and not actually in June this year, on the BMW Track / So U Kno single. Overmono have become one of my favourite electronic acts ever just within the last couple of months, and with this track alone it is clear to see why.
Dax J – East London Back Alleys (Jungle Techno Mix) – This is the last of this month’s electronic picks; Dax J’s latest album, Utopian Surrealism came out a couple of weeks ago on Monnom Black (which also happens to be one of my favourite record labels) and to be honest I have had the entire album on repeat, but this is probably my favourite track on there. Combining jungle and techno makes an exceptional track, and experimentalism at its finest.
Superheaven – Knew – And now it’s time to get emo. I always reconnect with my favourite post punk bands in Autumn and Winter seasons for some reason, probably something to do with the blues and the adjusting to the changes. Superheaven have been one of my favourite bands of that sub genre of punk for many years now, ever since I first discovered their 2013 debut album, In A Jar, which is also one of my favourite albums of all time and every single song on there is so good, Jar is one album I love with absolutely no skips. I will be honest and say I was struggling to choose one song from this album for this post so I picked a random one. Knew in particular has a very Nirvana-esque feel to it, thanks to its riff that sounds a lot like Bleed.
Modern Color – Empty Rooms – Modern Color are a Californian band formed in 2014. Empty Rooms is the only song I know by them so far, as this appeared on one of my Spotify daily mixes one day, but is one that keeps reappearing on there, and I have been loving what I have been hearing, it’s definitely a song that sticks in your head. Empty Rooms is from the band’s 2020 album, From the Leaves of Your Garden, which I definitely be checking out the rest of. For fans of: Title Fight, Citizen and Basement.
Basement – Crickets Throw Their Voice – UK band Basement, formed in Suffolk in 2009 are one of my favourite bands ever and their debut album released in 2011, I wish I Could Stay Here is another album I absolutely love. Basement were one of the bands I loved when I was in college and very much in my emo / greb phase (still am, not going to lie), so this album always makes me feel very nostalgic and takes me back to the days spent listening to this IWICSH on repeat. Crickets Throw Their Voice is the fourth song on the album and my favourite on there, with Andrew Fisher’s gruff vocals and the poignant lyrics. I am seeing Basement for the third time at Outbreak Festival in Manchester next year, where they will be playing an 11 year anniversary set for the album, which I am so stoked for.
Counterparts – The Disconnect – Considerably one of the greatest metalcore songs of all time by one of the biggest hardcore bands in the scene, The Disconnect remains an anthem to be shouted with passion. This is the opening track on their 2011 album, The Current Will Carry Us. From the lyrics “I fucking hate the world, I fucking hate myself, and I swore I’d never fucking feel like this” it becomes immediately clear this is not an optimistic song, but it is definitely a line that a fair few of us can empathise with, which makes this song so resonating.
Lana Del Rey – Dealer – And lastly, we have my queen and love of my life Miss Lana Del Rey. Her new album, Blue Banisters was released on the 22nd of October (the same day as Dax J’s funnily enough, and I have had both albums on repeat) and Dealer is the best song on there. It features one half of The Last Shadow Puppets, Miles Kane and apparently was co-written with Alex Turner as well. It is an earth-shattering song, and one of the most chilling and cinematic she has wrote so far. She also experiments more with her vocals on this track by screaming, “I don’t wanna live”, adding to the overall powerful feel of Dealer.
Thank you for reading about the tracks I loved in October, all ten songs have been added to the On Repeat Spotify playlist. I hope you can find as much love in all of these songs as I have, and hope you can enjoy experimenting in tastes and discovering other genres with my picks for this month.
theruthlessraver 