January 2020 Playlist
New year, new look, new playlist! I had a restful break over the Christmas and New Year period. I was off the tools and buried myself in books, the outdoors and caught up with a load of friends. I’m all refreshed and ready to hit 2020 at pace!
I thought I’d talk a little about the new look for my playlist before jumping into the music itself. The new playlist design bases itself deeply in rhythm, structure, space, repetition and texture - some key elements that are involved in electronic music. My instagram post executes this idea in a subtle display of motion. The textures have been scavenged and transformed from components found in the human anatomy and in the boundless realms of nature - both inspirational places artists visit regularly for music ideas.
Starting off this year with a very atmospheric track by PARC, from Vancouver, Canada, with Remote Radiance. The rhythm and lead synth sparks a sharp, slightly gritty analogue feel, while subtle delay and reverb give movement to its sound. A dull deep pad punches through the undertow as other synth sounds pulse and swell around the arrangement, expressing a whimsical and otherworldly impression.
Heading into some seriously smooth lounge territory, Sinitus Tempo from Mount Rainier, Maryland, USA has graced my ears with his track Life’s Strange. From the start, the piano sets the tone of this track - elegant, classy and just pure sauce. Oriental sounds softly sit in the background, adding detail and dimension. What could be a glockenspiel, brightens and lightens the piece, while the trumpet whales out a crisp jazzy lead.
Warm up the limbs for this glorious arrangement by (guessing from the Cyrillic on his Instagram) Russian producer and DJ, Vian Pelez, with Bones. Crackles of vinyl dust with violin and piano samples get this track off to a rhythmic start. The crisp clean sounds of the beat elevates the energy as a soft deep and round bass melodically drives the track. The saxophone, piano and guitar samples scattered through the arrangement add superb atmosphere with jazz and lounge details. A great track for an anytime boogie.
Next up we have “boys from Amsterdam and Berlin” Horsemen, with I Am Not For This World. This club track doesn’t waste time getting into it. Melody and rhythm is set and on a quest. The wet bubbling bass-line of this track is the main driver and subtly evolves throughout the track, influencing how the rest of the composition moves and interacts. The piano is filled with reverb and supports the minimalistic structure of this composition. A lull half-way through reveals a passionate dialogue filled with conflict and conviction - her voice broken and tormented as she expresses her disdain for humankind’s current addiction to technology. Does this vocalisation lend itself to the name of the title?
Finishing off this month with a deeply groovy track by Manchester based producer and DJ, Swales, with Night Cuisine. And what a meal it is! A thin beat is served up before an array of varying guitars and bongos sensibly fill the surrounding space. Vocal samples enter and describe particular approaches to music and style before heading straight back into the thick groove. As the track progresses, so does the symphony and funk flavour. This track is truly a saucey dance floor killer.
Until next month, keep off the lawn.