Roger Shah pres. Jukebox 80s – ‘Nightride’
Ahead of starting his latest departure — Jukebox 80s, Roger Shah was as clear as to what he didn’t want, as what he did. For its focal decade ‘Nightride’ trades in touchstones, inspirations & affections, whilst hurdling the pitfalls of pastiche & excess. Eschewing out-and-out synth-synthetics, across it fourteen tracks, resonance, chime and echo become its foundation blocks.
In keeping with that most emotional of decades, the album tonally needle-swings between mood some shade, mellow drama and exuberant effervescence. Throughout are knowing & appreciative nods to various 80s sub-genres – synthwave, electro and rare groove amongst them. ‘Nightride’ provides a mode-ish glide through notes of Vangelis, Faltermeyer, Clarke, Hancock & Hammer (Jan, rather than MC!), all projected through filters now more associated with Disclosure, Daft Punk and M83.
Gareth Emery – ‘Sad Song’
Few good things came out of the sh*tshow that was 2020, but Gareth Emery dropping his first ever vocal was one of them. Lamenting the collapse of the music industry in 2020, ‘Sad Song’ sees him on lyric, vocal, guitar and production duties, and whilst the song might be sad, it’s one of the most catchy records Emery has ever made. Good luck getting it out of your head once you’ve heard it: we’ve tried, and we can’t.
Mat Zo x Olan – ‘Problems (Live Version)’
Mat Zo and Olan unveil their live version of ‘Problems’, taken from Mat’s latest artist album ‘Illusion of Depth’.
K90 – ‘Deliverance (Tempo Giusto Remix)’
True to form, Tempo Giusto immediately wreaks havoc with his charged twist on K90’s ‘Deliverance’. Powered by thumping drums, raw synths and a ferocious beat drop, this remix of the original masterpiece from 1999 is a surge of dark energy to which resistance is futile.
Assaf x Cassandra Grey – ‘Lost At Sea’
High on emotion across the board, Assaf and Cassandra Grey’s creative collision on Armind can only be described as an irresistible Progressive Trance anthem. With the siren-like vocals complementing the gorgeous piano tones and the uplifting melody that kicks in after, ‘Lost At Sea’ is the perfect record to dream to.
R3HAB x Marnik – ‘Candyman’
“I’m happy to release ‘Candyman‘ with Marnik as my first single of 2021. I’ve been looking forward to collaborating with Marnik since they remixed ‘All Around The World’, and I love what we’ve made here. ‘Candyman’ is a fun and lighthearted record that we hope will set the right tone for 2021”
— R3HAB
Yellow Claw x Ramengvrl x Sihk x Juyen Sebulba – ‘BASSGOD’
A festival ready single suited for rail riding and headbanging, ‘BASSGOD’ is an offering of Barong Family’s finest. After meeting in Thailand for various studio sessions, Yellow Claw, Juyen Sebulba, Sihk, and Ramengvrl combine their efforts to drive speakers to their limits with a mirage of skull shattering bass.
AVIRA x Grace Ackerman – ‘Run To You’
Following the release of the emotionally charged Unplugged Mix two weeks ago, AVIRA and Grace Ackerman have released the original version of their collab called ‘Run To You’. Sporting a clubbier feel than its chill-soaked counterpart, this new version underlines the song’s love-laden message in a way that will resonate strongly with listeners across the dance music space, as will the music video that’s being released alongside it.
Bassrush Records – ‘Prophecy Vol. 3’
At the start of 2019, the Bassrush crew unveiled a new vision that saw them showcasing the brightest and best talent from across the bass music spectrum. Ranging from left-field bass to gut-punching dubstep, the comp strived to throw shine at exciting names that deserve to be on your radar. Now with the third edition, ‘Prophecy’ is hatching a new batch of artists, including tracks from Sam Lamar, JEANIE and southgate., Ruvlo, Jkyl and Hyde, KRILLA and more.
Cat Dealers – ‘Scars (feat. HAVENN)’
“‘Scars’ is our first release in 2021 and it continues this new style we’ve been working on. This song went through some phases and we really liked how it turned out; it strongly reflects the sound that we want to work with and present to everyone. After these difficult months, we are very excited to start this new year with a song that we like so much and are so fond of. We can’t wait to see the result on the floor.”
— Cat Dealers
Zubah – ‘CyberSecurity’
Zubah is back on the release radar after a highly successful 2020 saw the talent drop three new original productions alongside an acclaimed 3-track EP. Ringing in the new year, he follows up last January’s ‘Galactic Heist’ with yet another relentlessly unyielding sonic offering, the 3-track ‘CyberSecurity’ EP.
Broken Back – ‘We Go’
Broken Back returns to the release radar over a year after his critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘Good Days’. The latest to come from the venerated creative force directly follows up this 17-track full-length offering from last January, and sets an exhilarating foundation for the artist’s new year. Providing an exciting glimpse of what’s in store for the esteemed talent’s 2021, ‘We Go’ and its audible ode to positivity and determination serves as yet another prime addition from Broken Back to the revered Ultra Records imprint.
Karma Field & Shey Baba – ‘Dreams’
With its funky, melodic sound, ‘Dreams’ sees the elusive electronic artist and LA-based singer/songwriter at their best. Karma Fields displays their inventive production prowess layered with Shey Baba’s smooth, ethereal vocals for an irresistibly catchy and uplifting track.
Snowk – ‘Powder’
“Snowk was formed exactly two winters ago. We have been blessed with a lot of good fortune, and all of our collaborations have been wonderful and thoughtful in their own way. From the time of our formation to the release of this album (‘Powder’), we have been pursuing the uniqueness in our craft and we hope that you feel it when listening to this album. This is the first chapter of Snowk but not the last, we look forward to what’s next for us as we are already working on some new materials!”
— Snowk
Slippy – ‘Lone / Feel Alive’
The Tampa-based producer, Slippy has been quickly climbing up the hierarchy of melodic bass music with a steady flow of tracks that have seen him release on Monstercat, Dim Mak, Seeking Blue and Bassrush. He’s now making his way over to Night Mode with a two-track release that finds him touching on a melancholic mood on ‘Lone’, before ramping up the speed on the heart-racing drum and bass cut ‘Feel Alive’ featuring Soundr.
Wavedash – ‘By Any Means’
The Texas-based trio, Wavedash is ready to unveil ‘By Any Means’, the first track written on their highly anticipated LP, slated for release on NGHTMRE and SLANDER’s imprint. The new offering is their most experimental creation to this date, which finds them tapping into the early noughties era of UK dubstep while also touching on the emotional angst that came with growing up during the advent of social media. The ethereal and melancholic bass tune is another glimpse into where the project is steering their sound on the full album.
Callie Reiff x Lenii – ‘The Kids Are All Rebels 2.0’
“I loved the meaning behind the record (‘The Kids Are All Rebels 2.0’) and how powerful it felt. It was the perfect track for me to combine everything I have already been working on into it and showcase this new side of my sound no one has heard yet,”
— Callie Reiff
The Deep West – ‘Otherside’
‘Otherside’ is a song about that nagging voice inside us all that is never satisfied. “Some people would say this is the voice of achievement and discovery, and maybe it is that, but at the end of the day you’ll be left wanting more…” The song is undoubtedly upbeat with a wandering storyline, “This is how we see the ‘protagonist’ of the song,” say The Deep West, “… blown by the wind — never settled.”
Zookëper – ‘Think Of You (feat. Marlhy)’
Enhanced Music mainstay and fan favorite Zookëper makes his 2021 debut with new release ‘Think Of You’ featuring vocals from Marlhy. The uplifting single features Zookëper’s signature melodic bass house sounds, with a smooth addition of powerful pop vocals from L.A. based artist Marlhy. ‘Think Of You’s bright melody mimics the feeling of euphoria and confidence that comes when you see or think of the person who feels like home in your life.
Shaun Frank x Tony Romera – ‘Crazy’
Fizzing, infectious and a little bit daft, Shaun Frank and Tony Romera’s first-ever collaborative effort on Armada Music is designed to set the mood in any kind of party environment. Sporting insane grooves, catchy vocals and a beat drop that sends minds reeling, ‘Crazy’ is as authentic as they come.
