Top 10 Suggestions of the Month
Mount Kimbie
This British duo form in 2008, their music initially drew inspiration from contemporary UK dubstep, while expanding the horizons of bass-heavy dubstep the duo begun releasing lighter softer electronic songs, with more ambient drowsy feels to them. Resident Advisor discussed the duos work and suggested that their music '“connects the dots between musique concrete, R&B, hip-hop, drone and the midnight gospel sounds of Burial”
They often make music with King Krule and James Blake and merge genres eloquently. Their music is really experimental and unique, I feel that they have a really distinct sound - you could listen to something and straight away tell it’s them, their sound is quiet avant-garde and complex, but I feel many people could enjoy their music. Even if you don’t enjoy dance music, their sound varies from sweet soft calming melodies, to grittier intense listening, there is something for everyone who appreciates electronic music.
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Floating Points
Floating Points AKA Samuel Shepherd founded Pluto Records and signed to Ninja Tune. Floating points are a genre defying ensemble that cannot be pinned down to any specific sound or genre. Combining jazz, psych-rock, classical, electronica and techno. Samuel sits somewhere in between Four Tet and Daphni and has mixed many genres creating grime and drill remixes of songs such as Headie ‘Ones Back To Basics’. RA described Floating Points as jazz meets techno meets house. Floating Points are similar to Mo1unt Kimbie as I feel they’re a good introduction to electronic music if you don’t want something too over whelming. Their music has more of a dance floor feel in comparison to Nosaj Thing.
I feel that Floating Points is less ‘rave classic’ and more intricate dance music, not for everyone but definitely for people who can sit and enjoy a complex layered melody although this music can definitely be enjoyed by those not too familiar with the complexities of electronic music. Their newest song Birth400 does how ever feel like a dance floor classic and really reminds me of Daft Punk it has a real 90s feel to it.
Shanti Celeste
Shanti Celeste is a London-based tech-house producer and DJ. Her music is vibrant, energetic and up lifting. Her career began in Bristol performing funky house, disco and techno sets at La Lab Club. Celeste’s house style is very unique. Her eclectic array of tracks creates a euphoric listening experience and you can feel the subtle influences of jungle and speed garage that she was inspired by when attending illegal raves while growing up in the Lake District.
She can be seen on many festival lineups this year and has been booked and busy in the last year, playing across the glob at renowned venues such as Fabric and Fold she is definitely one to watch this summer.
Effy
Effy was named Pete Tongs rising stars in 2021, she combines many genres and is heavily influenced by 90s electronic old school dance music such as The Chemical Brothers with many acid break beat sounds inspired by The Prodigy. Effy’s music feels like a combination of Underworld and Leftfield, but with a modern electronic uptempo twist. She often collaborates with the likes of Mall Grab and Flowdan creating a fast paced intense almost aggressive feel to her music, very different to anything Mount Kimbie would make.
Effys ability to mix genres and create an energy in a room is unmatched, her music is not something I can imagine unwinding to, but its definitely something to bring you up. She is consistently releasing amazing tracks and has been gaining a lot of traction within the last few months appearing at Warehouse Project and Boiler room sets.
Sgarz
Sgarz keeps their identity hidden and there is not much known about the producer other than they are London born now living in Berlin. Their music is very obscure yet brain tickling. They’re quite tricky to pin point into a genre or compare to any other artists, but their sleepy ambient complex songs are glitchy and interesting.
Its obscure and I wouldn’t say its ‘easy listening’ its the kind of music you sink into, it can be confusing but once it makes sense its quite addictive. Their music is well put together with lots of layers and brain itching sounds. The only way I could compare their music to anything else is that they’re possibly a mid point between Ross From Friends and Leftfield. This is the kind of music you stand in a blacked out smokey room bopping to.
Elkka
Elkka is a British electronic producer, DJ and vocalist she combines silky smooth beats with harmonious elegant vocal samples, effortlessly combing a seamless fusion of techno and house. Her music is uplifting but also calming and easy to keep up with. Perfect for a boogie or a relaxing evening in. She won the Essential Mix of the Year in 2021 and is also the founder of femme culture, a label that is an inclusive queer platform and all profits from this company are donated to U.N Women. She is also signed to Ninja Tune. In 2021 she was also nominated for DJ Mag Awards, Best Independant Remix for her remi of Ela Minus - Megapunk. Elkka was very popular last festival and could be seen at Glastonbury and All Points East just to name a few, she's due to have an exciting year ahead.
Love Remain
Love Remain is a south London-based music project, formulated as ‘music that explores the geography of the everyday’. This project features songs with a garage bassline, combining this with an almost poetic lyrical aspect. Highlighting the difficulties and joys of navigating everyday life and relationships. It’s dance music that makes you think.
Love Remain has recently played at Warehouse Project and is due to be playing at Fabric in April. In the last few months, their listens on Spotify have grown exponentially, with the release of their EP ‘It Is What It Is’. I feel that in the next few months, they will be getting booked to play many venues across the UK and feel they could be dominating the upcoming festival seasons in years to come.
BASHKKA
Bashkka is fairly new to the music scene, releasing her first EP in 2023. Her style is uptempo, fast-paced, energetic techno, that is fun and not too intense. She is a pioneer for activism within the music industry and advocates for breaking down the walls of patriarchy and nepotism within club culture. Bashkka's music creates a similar atmosphere to VTSS. Her energy is angelic and feminine and she empowers through her music. Her song ‘Act Bad’ has become an iconic dancefloor hit across the globe, from Berghain to White Hotel Bashka can be seen performing empowering techno sets until the early hours. She has since been releasing more tracks constantly improving and developing a unique recognisable sound.
Tim Reaper
Tim Reaper aka Ed Alloh is at the frontline of producers and DJs bringing jungle back into mainstream popularity as he produces jungle and break-beat tracks. His love for jungle began when he was still in school, he is a jungle pioneer who started exploring the genre in the mid-90s. His vast music knowledge can be felt throughout his music as he mixes a collection of vintage experimental tracks and unreleased dubpplates. His debut album was released in 2010, and he has since worked with the likes of Special Request and Sherelle, just to name a few. His music is not for the faint-hearted but if you're looking for something to spark a love for jungle this is a good place to start.
DJ Sofa
Originally from Finland, Kia Sumen’s music is heavily inspired by 90s jungle. She encapsulates that old-school UK sound and many of her tracks are inspired by the likes of The Prodigy. She is fairly new to the drum and bass scene as it's not as popular in Finland but she is rapidly growing in popularity across the UK scene at the moment. I feel her music is very ambient, very soft and calming compared to the heavier drum and bass music you hear out and about at raves these days. I feel that in the coming year, she will grow in popularity and be a regular a regular amongst the UK festival and dance scene.