Review: London producer Louie Anderson's career has been going from strength to strength since his remix of Breach's Jack blew up in 2013. Since then he's signed with Audio Rehab and became a resident in the main room of Ministry Of Sound. Now he's back with possibly his biggest hit to date, "One For Me", a lean and muscular housey roller with retro '90s nods and sultry guest vocals from The Voice UK's Emmy J Mac.
Review: We all love a bit of mystery, which is no doubt part of the reason why duo Arrogant Guy have shot to success over the past few months. Not much is known on the pair, other than they are pretty handy at making club bangers. 'Golden Ticket' is an uplifting meets progressive affair, with the lead melody sticking in your head after just one listen and the simplistic arrangement with finely executed sounds giving plenty of space for melody to shine. Where this really triumphs, is the remix from Gung Ho signing Luke Walker, who really twists it up with quirky fills, drops, and a techno edge that will keep the crowds rocking.. This is wicked!
Review: Production-wise 2012 was a quieter year for the once-ubiquitous Bar 9 boys, but it seems they're back. And they're at their most bombastic. "What You Gonna Do" (a rhetorical question, by the way) is a layered tease-up that builds and builds with glitch and savage grace. "Before The Storm" adds a head-turning 4/4 to halfstep vibe as we rock and sway from woozy piano massages to crazed warped riffery. Massive.
Review: Readers of a certain age will immediate spot the reference to The Neverending Story in this new Dutch duo's chosen moniker, Bastian & Atreyu. The "GEM" part apparently stands for "Generation Evolving Music". While this all may sound a bit woolly and progressive, "I Feel You Near Me" is a much more straightforward affair. Featuring an attractive, hooky melody riding over a stomping contemporary deep house beat, punctuated by occasional blasts of carnival percussion and a woozy male vocal, it has all the makings of a serious club hit. For those who find the vocal a bit much to stomach, there's also an excellent Dub, which makes more of the sweaty percussion builds and trance-like melody.
Review: The latest instalment of Modeselektor's peerless 50 Weapons project sees two US producers going head to head on this seventh single. LA's Elan lays down some sparkling instrumental hip-hop, in the vein of his previous Mdslktr-approved "Pussy Posse" track, but this time the beats are slower and raw, while the melodies come via some brilliantly wonky chords and gorgeous floating pads. FaltyDL however continues his recent run of NYC-meets-LDN future garage, with "Large Flash" boasting some seriously impressive snares and heavy subs a la SBTRKT or Bok Bok. Two more highly essential tunes.
Review: Hooking up with East London grime collective Ruff Sqwad, here represented by Fuda Guy and chart-straddling Tinchy Stryder, Blame drops a smooth summer anthem with "On My Own". With the original marrying the rhymes and choruses sung by Alex Mills to an electro tempo beat, it's both catchy and likely to make you shake on a dancefloor. But even better are some tight mixes - a stomping D&B mix by Blame and also a fiery dubstep mix by the legendary Drumsound and Bassline. Expect to hear this played out in all its different guises very soon.
Review: Broken Youth are poetic in their origins- claiming their musical ethos draws on many influences, which is what you'd expect when half of them (DJ Benz) moonlights in the excellent Hot City. Together with production partner Sam Tee, the Broken Youth style is unveiled in suitably boisterous fashion with a bassline update of 90s classic "Dreamer." Already getting plenty of airtime on Miss Annie Mac's Radio One show, it's likely you will be hearing this throughout the Summer. Welcome Broken Youth
Review: Irish pop act D:REAM originally released their hit single "U R The Best Thing" in 1992. It was an international success which went to the top of the US dance charts that same year. Comprised of frontman Peter Cunnah and producer Al McKenzie, they were equally known for their other dance anthem "Things Can Only Get Better" released the same year to much acclaim. These modern reworks of "U R The Best Thing" feature a who's who of modern tech house remixing the track's timeless appeal for modern dancefloors. Glasgow Underground main man Kevin McKay delivers an uplifting and emotive rendition for the main room, while Stuart King's late night groove rework goes deeper. Finally, Discomode delivers a crunchy banger somewhere between techno and a chopped-up French Touch aesthetic.
Review: Legendary electronic music production and DJ outfit Ben & Paul Harris (aka Dirty Vegas) are back with their first single for 2020. Recent years have seen some huge releases, including the gold certified "Let The Night", to "Save A Prayer" and "Setting Sun". Their new hit "Happening" is a mesmerising chugger on which you'll truly lose yourself on the dancefloor. As always, it's an undeniably pop-inflected affair, but powered by an infectious acid bassline and a gripping vocal performance. Some handy club and dub versions are included also for DJ use. From Grammy awards, topping Billboard Top 100s, to selling over one million albums, the boys are still on top of their game.
