On Repeat: January

The first On Repeat post of 2021 explores my favourite tracks I have been listening to in January. Again, this includes both new and old releases, and in no particular order:

Skin On Skin – Opps On Tha Block – First up is this powerful track from South Sudan Born, Australian based DJ Skin On Skin. This is the second track from his EP Get Some Understanding, which is the first EP released on his record label Stay On Sight Recordings. This track packs a hard hitting bassline with the iconic Skin on Skin sound.

Demuja – Now You Know – This garage track (UK Vibes) from Austrian based Demuja released on the EP of the same name has a 90s feel to it, with an MC sample to help it really flow and provides a real catch to it too. A brilliantly versatile DJ and producer, this track shows the ability he has to create not only house and deep disco, but garage too.

DJ Seinfeld – Dreams of U and Me Above the Mezcal Moon – DJ Seinfeld has been one of my favourite DJs and producers for about four years now, and he excels every time. This is the first track from his latest release, Mezcalita EP; and is both euphoric and uplifting. A really nice opener to the EP from Seinfeld here, and really sets the tone for the rest of the release.

Earth Trax – Truth – Main Street Mix – Truth is a track I had discovered on one of my Spotify daily mixes, I had heard of Earth Trax before from Computer Data’s remix of I’m Not Afraid but never really listened to him until I heard this. This is another track with an almighty bassline throughout, and really captured my attention as a listener. A house track that really packs a punch and makes you want to move.

Mr Sosa – Horsepower – This is Mr Sosa’s second time in a row to feature in the On Repeat series, I just couldn’t help but feature him again. Horsepower is a track from his two track 2020 single of the same name. It is more upbeat and faster than So Much Funk, which was the track I spoke about in last month’s article. It is more energetic and something you can dance to, rather than relax to. Mr Sosa’s production skills are top notch, and is definitely one to look out for this year.

Louis Culture, Lord Apex, Lava La Rue – Culture for 17 – South West London rapper Louis Culture collaborated with fellow UK hip hop artists Lord Apex and Lava La Rue for this 2019 track. Both the instrumentals and verses in this track are fire, it is an absolutely solid bop. 2021 will be a big year for the three of them as they emerge from the underground scene.

Lana Del Rey – Born To Die – Throwing it back to the real, o.g me with this one. It has been nine years this month since Born To Die (Lana’s first album) was released so I have been re-listening to this album for its anniversary, and it still feels exactly like it did when I first listened all those years ago. Born to Die was the second single from the album to be released after Video Games, since which I have been completely and utterly obsessed with her. Born To Die is one of my favourite songs of all time as well as one of my favourites from this album. There is an incredible storytelling element and it has quite a melancholic feel to it, much like a lot of her work that she is notorious for. The video for this song also goes beautifully with it, with unique symbolism such as at the beginning when she is sat on a throne with a tiger either side of her. Re-listening to the album has only made me more excited for her next one, Chemtrails Over The Country Club which is out in March.

Brent Faiyaz, Tyler, The Creator – Gravity -Gravity is the latest single from alternative R&B artist Brent Faiyaz, with a feature from rapper Tyler, The Creator. Brent’s voice is so beautiful and dreamy and he is one of my favourite people to listen to; Tyler is equally one of the most unique artists out there. I really liked this release from them both, I thought it was a great collaboration and I am looking forward to hearing what they both come up with next.

Mount Kimbie – You Look Certain (I’m Not So Sure) – WXAXRXP Session with Andrea Balency – This track is probably the one I have been listening to the most this month out of all of them. I am a massive indie rock fan as well as dance music of any kind, and this poses exactly those vibes. Whilst Mount Kimbie are more of an electronic duo originating from dubstep, the post punk sound in this song is sublime and Andrea Balency’s vocals work really well too. I definitely prefer this WXAXRXP Session version to the original on Mount Kimbie’s Love What Survives album from 2017, it just sounds a lot nicer and is more melodic and crisp in the sound; it’s very easy on the ear.

Hot Chip – I need You Now – This is, without a doubt, my favourite of this month’s ten tracks. I don’t tend to order them but if I had to pick a top one, this would be it. Formed in 2000, Hot Chip are an electronic / alternative rock band, border lining house and dance music. From their 2015 album, Why Make Sense?, I need you now is beautiful from start to finish and induces goose bumps every time I listen to it. The main sample is from Sinnamon’s I Need You Now, which has been sampled several times in house music tracks, as well as in Joy Orbison and Overmono’s track, Bromley. Arguably one of the best alternative break up songs I have ever heard, it focuses on moving forwards and going after the person you are supposed to be, and dealing with living with yourself. There is a really vulnerable sentiment to this song.

All tracks featured in this month’s On Repeat post can be found in a Spotify playlist to enjoy yourself:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3E0kKPQ1Ot8i1bnMaps4gu?si=R20CYc_yTvCYIRnJW60xrQ

In Review: Levi David – Lust EP

Today’s review takes a look into up and coming Stoke-on-Trent born and raised DJ / producer Levi David’s debut EP, Lust, which was officially released on record label and music blog Zone Focus on New Year’s Eve 2020, with a clear intention to begin the new year with a bang.

Consisting of three tracks, the first one being Divine, sets the tone of the EP with ambient breakbeat sounds, dramatic undertones and melodic progression. This one is probably my favourite track from the three track project, as it is very inviting as though the EP were to tell a story throughout.

Track number two, Entropy, named after a an early 90’s rave night in Levi’s hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, is slightly more upbeat and more dance-y with bright and youthful vocal samples of child-like laughter, giving a nostalgic feel. There is more of a drive to this track, and is an electronic roller at the centre of the EP.

The final and titular track, Lust provides a real melodic and euphoric feel and is a really nice end and touch to the EP and really helps to close it off nicely. There is more of a club / rave appeal and the vocals work well. I even caught myself head bopping to it with an urge to get up and dance.

I really enjoy this EP the more I listen to it; there are also some real old school Bicep and Hammer influences within, which was definitely a bit of me. I would seriously recommend checking this EP out if you’re a fan of them. I am very interested to see what other projects and material he releases in the coming months, especially with his melodic label, JRNI Records.

His next release, Sealed it out on the 12th February.

Stream Lust on Spotify now:

linktr.ee/levidaviduk

On Repeat: December

Whilst everything seems so doom and gloom this Christmas, I’ve been feeling very inspired at the moment, with new post ideas coming to me every day, as with no pubs or clubs to visit I have more time to write. With this post being the first, I’ve decided I want to write a monthly post and share with you my favourite tracks I’ve been loving each month, both new and old. Starting with December, in no particular order:

James Pepper – Stampede (Of the Elephants) – Probably one of my favourite releases from the whole of this year, this deep house groover from Pepper’s All My Wrongs EP is packed full of massive basslines and opening up with some huge synths and subby kicks, creates space for a whole lot of attitude throughout. A real head bopper, I cant wait to hear this in a club space one day.

SBTRKT – Kyoto – Next up is SBTRKT’s (pronounced subtract) Kyoto from his 2016 release Transitions. I discovered this not so long ago on one of my Spotify daily mixes and liked it instantly. I never really listened to SBTRKT properly before until I heard this track other than his previous collaborations with Sampha or with Little Dragon on “Wildfire” which is his most notable work and most played on Spotify, with over 75 million hits. Electric and almost dystopian, a powerful piece of work which is slowly making him one of my favourite producers.

Mr Sosa – So Much Funk – Another one I found from my Spotify daily mixes; this one from Bournemouth based Mr Sosa’s (not to be confused with tech house DJ Sosa) Wayfarer EP features a gorgeous soulful sample and gives off a tropical house vibe perfect for a sunset setting with the sun beating down over a few cocktails – something I’m really missing. I’m a massive fan of Lo-fi, it’s one of my favourite subgenres of dance music overall so this one really stood out to me. Melodic and chill, I’m very much looking forward to future releases from him, I love this track.

DJ Planet Express – Take Me – Recommended to me by a Twitter mutual, Toronto based DJ Planet Express is a lo-fi producer I’ve found and loved recently. This track in particular, described as a “euphoric bop”, hits the nail on the head. Six minutes long and sublime, dreamy pads and simple but effective synths it’s a really nice and relaxing track, definitely one for the afters.

Sharda – Dreamer – A UK Garage track, Dreamer was recommended to me by a friend after I heard him play it in his car and I LOVED it. I’ve been getting into a lot more garage this year too as well as house and techno (predominantly after watching People Just do Nothing) and this track released on Conducta’s Kiwi records by Manchester based Sharda is an definite wobbler with some clear DJ EZ influences. Frankly, until clubs are open again, this should be played in kitchens across the nation in the early morning hours; it is an absolute stinker of a tune.

Azealia Banks – 1991 – A controversial character to say the least, one thing Azealia Banks also is, is iconic. After Liquorice came back into the light thanks to TikTok, I have fallen in love with this EP all over again and have rekindled my 2015 Azealia Banks obsession. Her lyrical flow is like no other; she is one of the greatest female rappers I have ever heard, if not the best and the beats behind the lyrics in the opening track of 1991 are serious hip shaker inducers.

Wajatta – Runnin’ – Slightly more upbeat, this is yet another recent discovery from my Spotify daily mixes and happy, joyful vibes flow throughout. From the 2018 Casual High Technology album by duo Reggie Watts (also actor and comedian) and John Tejada, Watts’ booming vocals which are arguably instrumental and Tejada’s production create the perfect combination of sound that makes me feel like I should be dancing away a Detroit club.

Bicep – Saku – I can only imagine everyone’s surprise reading that I have mentioned Bicep on this list, not. This is the third single released from the new album which comes out in January, after Atlas and Apricots. This is definitely my favourite release from Bicep so far from the new album. The vocals from Clara La San are absolutely stunning and I really like the lyrics in this one too. There is a lot of emotion captured within this one which tends to be the case with their music, partly why I adore them so much. I’m absolutely itching for the new album and am counting down the days for my pre order!

MRD – Reach My Hand – Norweigan MRD is definitely one of my favourite techno DJs of all time and this recent release on Amelie Lens’s Exhale records on the Exhale VA001 compilation album proves why . MRD does not hold back on this track, going straight into thumping beats like a lot of his other tracks, but mellowing out slightly around two minutes in, creating a sense of harmony and euphoria with some guitar that sounds like something from an indie coming of age film soundtrack (New Order-esque for example) and then back to the more aggressive sounding techno, showing the versatility and range of his musical skills.

Fatima Yamaha – Bar-Bodega “That’s It!” – I won’t say too much about this one as I already have something in the pipeline for a new series I am going to start in the new year which will feature this track and this album, but this one is from Yamaha’s new album, “Spontaneous Order” and is my favourite from it so far. Groovy from the start, it oozes funk and has the same distinctive sound that makes Fatima Yamaha’s music instantly recognizable.

So these were my top ten tracks for December. Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I loved writing it. Here’s to a better 2021 for everyone and lets see what musical discoveries I can make next year. You can find a link below to a playlist I made with all ten December favourites on:

Merry Christmas, Ruthless xxx