13 songs, 56 min, 5 min reading time.
1) “Before I Move Off” – Mount Kimbie
After researching Mount Kimbie for my recent Podcast, I came across a review that claimed their tracks pre-2013 were just background party vibes, if that reviewer was going to parties where stuff like this was playing in 2010 I want to know where they were hanging out. This is intricate, delicate and can be listened to over and over.
Album: “Crooks & Lovers” (2010)
Label: Hotflush Recordings
2) “Exits” – Edit – Foals
Having been a huge fan of Foals when I was 13 with the brilliant Total Life Forever album and Antidotes before that, I didn’t really enjoy their stuff following this but this was a pleasant surprise when Yannis was on Jo Wiley earlier in the week. I thought he came across mature and more outgoing than previous media outings and I was pleased to really like a tune of theirs again.
Single: “Exits” (2019)
Label: Foals
3) “Millionaire” – Kelis, André 3000
After opening my Shazam and going through the songs on there, I remembered this from NYE celebrations. A really fun uplifting tune.
Album: “Tasty” (2003)
Label: Arista Records
4) “Emerald Rush” – Jon Hopkins
Jon Hopkins’ Singularity album is a joy to listen to front to back and one of the best albums I have heard in a while. This is one of the many highlights from that, forever regretting not going to see him at his curated Fabric set on 21 December.
Album: “Singularity” (2018)
Label: Domino Recording
5) “Strange Is Better” – CHINNAH
A sad song but with an interesting monotony throughout.
Album: “ANYONE” (2018)
Label: No3
6) “Feel Good (feat. Khruangbin)” – Maribou State
This is a joy. A great song that keeps you hooked. Apparently these guys met in Koko in Camden and have been friends since, I’ve always been disappointed by Koko for a club night but maybe I should go there more if chance meetings like this happen.
Album: “Kingdoms In Colour” (2018)
Label: Counter Records
7) “Woman is a Word” – Empress Of
One of my favourite pop songs in a while with some really heavy hitting lyrics that matter. Well worth your time.
Single: “Woman Is a Word” (2016)
Label: Terrible Records
8) “Uncle Blue” – Leifur James
A Louder Silence is a brilliant jazzy album to play in the background and really get into, this is one of my favourites from that.
Album: “A Louder Silence” (2018)
Label: Night Time Stories
9) “Power” – Roc Marciano
Really cool sampling with a great narrative over the top. That gorgeous sample is “Love Hides All Faults” by The Holy Light Jr.s (1974).
Album: “RR2: The Bitter Dose” (2018)
Label: Marci Enterprises
10) “Just Like My” – HOMESHAKE
Another artist resorting to capital letters, but this one can be forgiven as the whiny nature of the song is quite interesting with a cool synth layout.
Single: “Just Like My” (2019)
Label: Sinderlyn
11) “Paciencia – Edit” – Phillipi & Rodrigo
Cool use of Sitar sounds, whether with the real instrument or computer generated I don’t know, but either way, it’s been layered to great effect.
Single: “Paciencia – Edit” (2018)
Label: DEEWEE
12) “A Caged Bird/Imitations Of Life” – The Cinematic Orchestra, Roots Manuva
An unexpected collaboration but boy is it a good one.
Single: “A Caged Bird/Imitations Of Life” (2019)
Label: Ninja Tune
13) “Design” – Julien Dyne
I’ve liked Julien Dyne ever since I found his tune Hours and although this isn’t up there with that, I’ve included it for the cool jazzy section at the end.
Album: “Teal” (2018)
Label: Soundway Records
14) “Come Inside (KAYTRANADA Edit)” – Lou Phelps, KAYTRANADA, Jazz Cartier
Anyone that enlightens me that custard rhymes with mustard deserves a spot on these lists. Kaytranada proving once again why he’s one of the best people to alter tracks and add his fresh sound.
Album: “002 / LOVE ME” (2018)
Label: Last Gang Records