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: 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.

On Repeat: March 2022

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! :

On Repeat: February 2022

February also happened to be my birthday month, so my main character syndrome reached its peak for a whole 28 days, and now I am the ripe age of 24. As promised, here are my top ten favourite tracks I loved through February, that helped me complete the final month of another year around the sun:

Angel Du$t – Turn Off The Guitar – After binge listening to Turnstile throughout January, I then made a discovery of Angel Dus$t, who are an American punk supergroup, made up of members of both Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice, who are also one of my favourite bands. Turn Off The Guitar is from their 2021 album, YAK: A Collection Of Truck Songs and is certainly one of the more happy and upbeat sounding songs in punk music, and overall a super catchy song to sing along to with your friends.

Kiddy.Wav, YTP – Grab Dat Ass All Night – Broadening my electro collection in February was French producer Kiddy.Wav’s track Grab Dat Ass All Night featuring up and coming Scottish producer YTP from the 2021 EP, Level Up My Skills on Planeteria Sound System. It is a bouncing and energetic track yet moody and dark in its sound all at the same time, made for the hazy, dark nights after you’ve left the rave.

Boris Brejcha – Puzzle (Feat. Malena Maria) – Melodic is a genre I will always like yet is one I seem to forget about as my taste gets heavier. Boris Brejcha is one of my absolutely favourite producers of the melodic variety and is a DJ I would still love to see live. Puzzle features intense melodies and is a masterpiece from start to finish that will give you Goosebumps. This 2020 single is a beautiful track that rightfully belongs in your music collection.

Have Heart – Bostons – One of the hardcore release I had on repeat more than most in February was Have Heart’s song, Bostons from their 2008 album, Songs To Scream At The Sun. I never used to listen to Have Heart when they were together, but only began listening to them in the past couple of years when I discovered Fiddlehead, who are a band made up of Have Heart’s Patrick Flynn and Shawn Costa, and Basement’s Alex Henery, who formed in 2014, six years after Have Heart disbanded in 2019. Songs To Scream At The Sun is now one of my favourite albums and Bostons is the second song on there, featuring a building bridge which exploded with passionate and emotive vocals from Flynn alongside the poetic lyrics.

Skream – Space Ghetto – The first event I attended in February was our first Tribal Warehouse show of 2022, with Coydon producer and DJ Oliver Jones AKA Skream, whom I had the absolute honour of meeting for the second time. Space Ghetto is from the EP, Steel City Dance Discs Volume 23 (also one of my favorite labels) released in September 2022, featuring a voice note from Scottish DJ and producer Big Miz, and is a breakbeat belter for sure, with achy bass and tight-breaks. This is definitely one of his best releases of the last year!

DJ Heartstring – Will You Remeber Me When I’m Gone? – One artist I am completely and utterly OBSESSED with at the moment is DJ Heartstring. I discovered the Berlin based couple in early February and have not stopped listening to them since. Every single track they have released so far is a banger, and Will You Remember Me When I’m Gone? from their EP, 4 The People is my favourite track on there, mainly for the sample of Madonna’s Vogue as well as their consistent style of trance-techno, which seems to be a hit in the current dance music climate.

The Rival Mob – Mind Over Matter – Another hardcore pick for February was The Rival Mobb’s Mind Over Matter, from their 2010 EP, Hardcore for Hardcore. Featuring sick building riffs and piercing vocals which bring the song to an instrumental climax intended for a violent pit. Sadly, the Massachusetts band split up in 2016, yet it is apparent that their music still influences many bands in the modern hardcore scene today.

Ray Keith – Gun Shot A Buss – Now, a bit different from my usual picks but still staying with my regular favourite genre which is dance music as a whole, is this drum and bass track, Gun Shot A Buss by British artist Ray Keith. This is another one of those darker sounding, more eerie and dramatic bodies of work as a single. Gun Shot A Buss features rolling snares and vocal samples, before a thundering drop.

Sam Fender – Get You Down – Time for an indie pick now, by another artist I have grown to love. Get You Down is the fourth song on Geordie singer songwriter Sam Fender’s latest album, Seventeen Going Under. Overall this is an amazing song and one of my favourites from the album. The lyrics have a nostalgic feel to them as it seems Fender is reviewing his past in Get You Down. Altogether, a will-be timeless track in years to come, featuring Sam’s amazing voice with drums and sax.

Julian Muller – Juicy – To end February’s edition of On Repeat, I have picked my favourite techno track at the moment. Juicy comes from French born, Belgium based Julian Muller’s EP, Flower Coaster, which I was gifted the vinyl version of for my birthday. This is a rave essential of a track, packed full of energy and exciting build ups, ready for hands in the air, hip swinging action.

On Repeat: December

We have finally come to the last On repeat for 2021 and this also marks a whole year of the series. To end this years’ series, as always I have picked tracks I have loved throughout December. I am unsure yet if I will continue the series in 2022 as I want to pursue other projects, but for now, please enjoy my favourite tracks of this month:

Alavux, JJMC – Ghetto Trash – lavux, JJMC – In November I attended XXL Warehouse Project which I mentioned in last month’s post, and one track I picked up from that night was Ghetto Trash by Alavux and JJMC when DJ Stingray played an amazing set of techno and electro. Ghetto Trash is a track of bubbling Serbian electro from the eastern European producer Goran Alavuk with vocals from JJMC . The track is notoriously rinsed by Stingray in his sets however that’s not necessarily a bad thing because it is a solid bopper to cause havoc on a dancefloor.

Nina Kraviz – Skyscrapers – Russian DJ and producer Nina Kraviz has also more recently focused on releasing her own original material featuring her own vocals within the last six months. July 2021 saw the release of Skyscrapers, whic was the first of Nina’s tracks to feature her own vocals and lyrics. Shortly after it’s release followed several remixes from other artists including Vladimir Dubyshkin, Solomun and Hi-Lo (AKA Oliver Heldens). Skyscrapers is a dreamy yet melancholic song full of mystery; overall it is an amazing song thanks to the beats mixed with Nina’s lovely vocals and lyrics. It is really nice to see this experimental side of Nina, I’m really looking forward to her album coming later in 2022.

CLTX- Feeling Pretty – I came accross this track a couple of weeks ago via Instagram stories as it was suggested song to put on my own story. I had never heard of it before or CLTX, but loved it as soon as I listened to it for the first time. CLTX is a French-born, Berlin-based producer who’s music is influenced by the Parisian warehouse rave scene, which you immediately hear within Feeling Pretty, which consists of powerful kicks and a heavy sub bass. Feeling Pretty was released in January 2021 on compilation album TORCH on Laburnum Records featuring tracks from other artists such as Charlie Sparks, Andromeda and Neagles. 2022 is set to potentially be a great year for CLTX, as his work has already been recognised by French event brand and label, Possession, with a United Ravers Possession Podcast already under his belt, and so many more great things to come.

C&G Soundsystem, Honey Dijon – Dual EP B1 – Honey Dijon Re-Rub – C&G Soundsystem is a collaborative project from Italian techno artists Marco Carola and Gaetano Parisio, who released an EP back in 1998, Dual E.P. In January last year, Parisio invited Honey Dijon and several other artists such as Radio Slave, Mark Broom and Shlomi Aber to remix the previous tracks. Honey Dijon’s remix of B1 from the original Dual EP is my favourite of the remixes, as she turns down the tempo and ups the groove, giving her own personal twist on this minimal techno track.

Inja – Smile & Wave – The drum and bass release of this month is one from one of my favourite drum and bass MC’s, Inja. Smile & Wave, which is a track from his album of the same name released in July 2021 on Hospital Records and produced by Whiney, is a feel good, happy and catchy track guaranteed to cause a skank no matter where you’re listening to it. Smile & Wave is the exact embodiment of Inja himself: playful, positive and uplifting. As always, expect an infectious wordplay and heavy bassline.

Incident Prism – Boidshot – Released in September 2020 on French label Molekül, Boidshot is one of four tracks on the Let’s Dance EP from French producer Incident Prism, including a remix of his track Gang Bounce from Hector Oaks as DJ KAOS11. Boidshot is a heavy track of hard trance with cyber elements that send you straight into a futuristic rave zone.

Floorplan – Made Up In My Mind – I celebrated New Year’s Eve this year in Manchester, and went to see the glorious father and daughter duo that is Floorplan at Joshua Brooks. As always, I was listening to their songs before going to see them to put me in the mood so I decided to choose Made Up In My Mind for December’s post as this is my favourite track by them. Robert and Lyric are one of the finest artists as Floorplan to ever come out of Detroit, both within their DJ sets and production, as can be heard within this track, with its soulful gospel vocal samples and electrifying organ. I would certainly be attending Sunday service if they played tunes like this one.

Cassie Raptor & Rebeka Warrior – O.B.I.C – Another French techno artist I have extremely high hopes for in 2022 is Parisian DJ and producer Cassie Raptor. Whilst I was in Paris, at the event I attended at Nexus, EVERYONE was talking about Cassie and how she is going to become the next big thing; she has made and continues to make a name for herself within the queer underground scene in France. The track of her’s I have included for December’s edition of On Repeat is O.B.I.C featuring Rebeka Warrior on Raptor’s EP 1984 released in March 2021 on Warrior records, which is Rebeka’s label. The track also features quotes from George Orwell’s 1984 (which the EP was inspired by), and echoes political issues of today and tomorrow.

Jacidorex – Run – Another great techno release for this month is Run by French DJ and producer Jacidorex. At the event I attended at Nexus, Jacidorex also played and he was who I was most excited to see there. Run is a hammering, pounding techno tune, and when the beat drops exactly two minutes in, there’s a rush of adrenaline and goose bumps; a great track for a hot and sweaty rave. Run was released in June 2021 on Rave Alert records. I was supposed to see Jacidorex B2B JKS at Teletech’s event at Hidden in Manchester on New Years’ Day, but sadly he had to pull out due to logistical problems with flights. Until next time!

AnD – Emergency Procedures – I have spoken about duo AnD in a previous edition of On Repeat for their track The Unknown Force, but this time I want to talk about Emergency Procedures from their 2020 EP Beast Mode. To end a whole year of On Repeat and this month’s post we have another solid track of heavy thundering techno; a straight up banger that is rave ready. There is also a remix of Emergency Procedures on the Beast Mode EP from Gabber Eleganza. AnD were also supposed to play at Hidden on New Year’s Day however there was a power cut which led to both them and Viper Diva being unable to play, however I will wait patiently until the next time that I can! I shall be seeing Viper Diva on the 22nd of January at Hidden again, for another night of unadulterated techno from the Teletech boys.

And there we have it! A whole twelve months’ worth of On Repeat! Thank you so much to everyone and anyone who actually reads my posts, follows me on Instagram, follows my playlists or supports me and my creativity in any way. I appreciate it so much and I cannot wait for everyone to see what I have in store for 2022.

The Ruthless Raver: On Repeat Spotify playlist has been updated below:

On Repeat: October

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.

On Repeat: September

As the Summer drew to a close and Autumn approached, it was time to give my playlists for September a shuffle, and they quite literally changed with the seasons. I went to the last festival of the Summer in September and closed off the season really nicely with some of my best friends and favourite DJs. September’s edition of On Repeat features some darker dance music of deep house, breaks, melodic techno as well as a couple of rap songs I’ve liked.

No_4mat – Good Year – First up this month is Good Year by US producer cNo_4mat AKA Mikhael Villegas. The track is taken from his debut EP, Quarter, which was released in February 2018, and dons some gritty synths that are a clear nod to the 90’s rave era. Good Year is a dark track but with a sick beat throughout, one for those darker nights into the city.

Midub – Flight – Next up is a track with a more chilled out vibe of lo-fi house that again boasts some gorgeous synths to send you on a journey. Flight contains a sample that sounds like it may be from an airport control room, hence the title name (I’m guessing), quite literally taking you away somewhere else. The track sounds ethereal and hypnotic and it is a beautiful track overall, this one got added to the Afters playlist straight away!

Treasure Series – Make My Day – Now some readers and those who know me my relationship with tech house is fraying away slightly, but there are few tracks I hear from the genre that maintain the love that little bit more, and Make My Day is one of them. Treasure Series are known for their house tracks featuring samples of old house and hip hop classics, such as Get It Poppin’, which features a sample of Shake That by Eminem and Nate Dogg. Make My Day samples Technotronic’s Pump Up The Jam, with more modern dance twist, a faster tempo and a solid beat to get the swing in your hips going.

Audio Jack, Kevin Knapp – These Days (Jimmy Edgar Implication) – Next is a remix from Detroit house DJ Jimmy Edgar of Spanish duo Audiojack’s track These Days. It’s a nice little deep house bop and a great warm up track, either for an opening set or for a pre’s with your mates before an event to set the mood. Released in 2012, it felt like I had struck gold discovering this track as it really took me back to the 2010-2015 deep house era, which was one of the first sub genres of dance music I really fell in love with.

Ewan McVicar – The Realm – One artist I am really intrigued by at the moment is Scottish DJ and producer Ewan McVicar, who has made a name for himself now on Patrick Topping’s label Trick with his Street Rave EP from last year, as well as his more recent belter of a single, Tell Me Something Good. The Realm is one of his earlier tracks from 2018, and even from this track alone, it’s clear to see why he is ascending so rapidly within the dance music scene and community, having also now recently secured residency as Glasgow’s Sub Club. I can’t wait to see what is next in store for him.

George Fitzgerald – I Can Tell (By the Way You Move) – This is not the first time I have featured deep house master George Fitzgerald in my On Repeat series, and it probably will not be the last. I Can Tell (By The Way You Move) is absolutely one of my favourite dance tracks of all time, with its sexy, funky and smooth vibe overall. This is a lesser known Fitzgerald track, that deserves to be heard by all!

Sven Vath – Feiern – Upon attending Newsam Park Festival this year, I of course watched techno legend Sven Vath close the festival, and he delivered a spell binding set as always. Feiern was one of the last tracks he played that night, and I was taken aback by its beauty within seconds. Feiern is the German word for celebrate, and rightly so as I would definitely describe this as a celebratory track, and at the same time, hopeful (in my idea, in the sense that we will be able to rave again indefnitely). Newsam Park was the first proper festival back for me since lockdown and it really did feel like one big celebration between myself and fellow ravers and festival goers around me. Despite the torrential rain, the vibes were on such a high all day. I also captured it with a video of him playing it which can be found on my Instagram page, @theruthlessraver. Anyway, this was in August, and it wasn’t released until September and I had been anticipating its release ever since, and have played it throughout.

Casisdead – Park Assist (Feat. La Roux) – I am biased about this one, but this is my favourite track for September as Casisdead is quite simply my favourite rapper at the moment (and has been for about two years now), and arguably the best in the UK for his lyricism. Park Assist is his first release since Pat Earrings in 2018, and has stuck to his signature style of 80’s style beats meets synthwave.

P-rallel, Sam Wise – Charmer – Now, as well as Casisdead, there’s another rapper who has caught my attention over the past year or so, London MC Sam Wise, who has also now become one of my favourite artists. On this track, he collaborated with UK producer and DJ P-arallel on Charmer, which pays tribute to jungle, which P-arallel grew up on. Charmer is a catchy banger of a tune, and not one to go unheard.

AnD – The Unknown Force – Finally for September, we now have some techno, from Manchester duo AnD. The Unknown Force comes from their Rough and Ready EP from May this year on Soma Records and is the final track on there. It is a perfect track to close off the EP with, and is five minutes of thumping, face screwing techno.

Thank you for reading September’s edition of On Repeat, the Spotify playlist has been updated below. October’s edition is coming soon, bare with me. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wqC3Ag3ixbgPG3TcHa1JY?si=97925932250e46ce