Top 100 Tracks Of 2020: 25-1

The conclusion of the list started Monday from 100-76, which also includes my disclaimer/preamble. The middle sections can be found here: from 75-51 & 50-26. Find Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#25: London Grammar - Baby It's You (Kölsch Version) [Extended]

When I first saw that Kölsch had remixed London Grammar, this was what I was expecting. Instead, I saw a tight four-minute affair, that while good enough to make a list like this, felt entirely underwhelming. Glorious and gargantuan, this is the perfect track to take us into our final tier. It showcases both Hannah Reid's vocals and the original instrumental beautifully while extrapolating on their excellence. As with so much of London Grammar's catalogue, it is best when given time and space to breathe. It's stunning in its simple beauty, standing resolute against the abyss. A tempered touch from Kölsch, this is a masterpiece and yet another example of the power of the extended mix.

#24: Edu Imbernon ft. Mordem - Underwater Breathtaking (Innellea Remix)

While not technically an Afterlife release, I first encountered this epic in a mix of theirs. It's got everything I want from a track like this: big dramatic movement, spellbinding synths, killer sound design and a riveting vocal to tie it all together. The massive movement throughout this seven-minute affair is all too enthralling. Innellea immediately grabs you by the hand and pulls you into his underwater inferno, brandishing you with his scalding sorcery and abysmal black art. It is another one of those epics whose infectiousness leaves you powerless to its unearthly energy and uncanny charm. Just tell me you don't get swept away by those synths...

#23: Armand Van Helden & Riva Starr - Step It Up (ft. Sharlene Hector)

While there are still house tracks left in this countdown, this is without question one of the greatest iterations of the foundational genre. It reminds listeners of the two producers' legendary statuses, especially as every element in it tickles the senses. The piano, the strings, the diverse drums, the vocals, the bevy of effects; they all combine in crazy infectious fashion, each sparkling and gold-plated. It really is a diamond-clad delivery that hits on every single note. It's no game-changer, it's just a gloriously good time, especially as we're wowed by the barking vocal chops.

Enlightened Listening for July 3

Bandcamp is at it again, once again waiving their fees, and of course that means this edition of Enlightened Listening returns to the popular platform. This week I've opted to add embeds for ease of access, but will refrain from doing release by release breakdowns and rather highlight those that require/deserve a little more shine. It's a diverse list with a number of killer compilations so take your time and be sure to check out each release, and of course purchase those that resonate with you.

Highlights/breakdowns: Cassius' final record with Philippe Zdar finally gets a digital release and it couldn't be a better, more fitting or prescient production. Absolutely one of the tracks of the year. GRRL's Marathon is incredibly powerful and immersive, a testament to their tremendous taste and ever thriving energy. Jaymie Silk's output this year has been stunning and this new release is reflective both of that and the trying times we're in - a truly brilliant (however dark) project. The BOOST TAPE is basically a who's who in trap, bass and all adjacent genres, and for just $10 is an absolute steal (not to mention it's all going to The Movement For Black Lives). Finally, the four-pack of "Mountains" remixes is too stacked not to showcase: 2x Paul Woolford, The Patchouli Brothers and Joey Negro. WOW.

The Allergies - Say The Word (ft. Andy Cooper & Marietta Smith)

Caribou - Never Come Back / Sister (Floating Points Remixes)

Caroline Polachek - Ocean Of Tears (umru Remix)

Fiorious - I'm Not Defeated (Cassius XXL Remix)

Gene Summers & Dea - Do You Think I'm Sexy (KON Edit)

GRRL - Marathon

Jaymie Silk - EMPTY

Kai Whiston - No World Eternal

Lane 8 & Kidnap - Matcha Mistake

Ticklish - Reboots Vol. 8

Tim Reaper & Friends - Meeting Of The Minds Vol. 1

Tim Reaper & Friends - Meeting Of The Minds Vol. 2

Various Artists - BOOST TAPE 01

Various Artists - Physically Sick 3

Various Artists - The Trips: Triple A Talent

The Vision ft. Andreya Triana - Mountains (Remixes)

Enlightened Listening for July 12

This is, without a doubt, the largest ever edition of Enlightened Listening, and as a result I simply cannot address each of the 25 releases individually nor will I list them below. That said I do believe this is perhaps the best playlist in terms of fluid listening, so dive into the 42 track, two hour and 42 minute new music extravaganza below. It opens with some bright summery tunes that should certainly get your toes tapping. The fourth track in changes the mood a bit, especially as it comes from Cassius. Directly after that, Chris Lorenzo utilizes the classic Masters At Work sample, once again proving its timeless quality in his dope deep delivery. A few tracks later we see Cloverdale drop off an exceptional EP on Dr. Fresch's young imprint. Staying with newly founded labels, the legendary Tommy Trash graces Botnek's World Famous Headquarters with the ridiculous "Ripper."

The mood of the playlist shifts after that, turning towards extended engrossing numbers from Clarian and Tinlicker, the former giving us a fantastic cinematic EP. Then, the surprise of this Enlightened Listening, Devo (yes, the "Whip It" group) deliver a supremely cool cut that doesn't seem at all out of place in this playlist. Staying cinematic, Canblaster comes through with a literal soundtrack piece made for a video here. Keys N Krates follow that with an 11 track beat tape ahead the second single from Wave Racer's forthcoming album. Things then turn DnB with a triple shot from our UK friends. The energy is obviously up following that as SYN continues to kill it, delivering a diabolic banger in "New Rave." Two more Canadian kids then follow that in Kraysh and ZABO, the former completing his Void EP. In a fire finale of sorts, the power pairing of Eprom and G Jones send us spiraling into infinity.

Enlightened Listening for June 21

For the longest day of the year we've got one of the longest editions of Enlightened Listening, clocking in at over 7 hours with an astounding 81 tracks. It opens with four exceptional albums including two we've been building up to here in Hot Chip's eccentric electronic odyssey A Bath Full Of Ecstasy and Mark Ronson's masterful pop presentation Late Night Feelings. Both share singles that I've been rinsing out like crazy and are instant inclusions in the album of the year conversation. Those two are joined by the final and gut wrenching end of Cassius, Dreems, and Shinichiro Yokota's delightful collection of dance joints I Know You Like It. Those four account for 48 tracks and without question some of the best pieces of music (vocally, lyrically, sonically, melodically, etc) you'll hear all year.

There is no let down following those massive albums however, as The Niceguys follow with a fourpack of uplifting funk from Westwood Recordings. Staying grooving but building towards bigger numbers, Rudimental and The Martinez Brothers combine for a magical piece in Faith Mussa-aided energy in "Sitigawana." Another exceptional collab follows in the fantastical feels of Lane 8 and Yotto's "I / Y."

Even more epic we go as Pryda offers up the kind of extended, intoxicating genius we've grown to expect from one of the world's most trusted names. The lead track "Illumination" is truly inspired, however the other five tracks are no mere tag-alongs as each holds the same Pryda power. 

After what seems like forever we finally have 1) new music from Afterlife and 2) the Ae:ther ID I'd been waiting on since Afterlife Voyage 013. The 20 track compilation once again proves Afterlife is perhaps the pinnacle of top notch techno. Adding another legend to this already epic list, The Chemical Brothers share a sensational dub version of "Eve Of Destruction." Staying dark and bass driven, Poppy comes in next with a desolate and dire number in "Choke." Finally we close the playlist with a trio of takes on Duke Dumont's "Red Light Green Light," which will have you dancing all the way through the weekend. Stream all the new tracks below and find individual released linked after the playlist. Enjoy!


Hot Chip - A Bath Full Of Ecstasy

Cassius - Dreems

Shinichiro Yokota - I Know You Like It

Mark Ronson - Late Night Feelings

The Niceguys - Sunset Avenue

Rudimental & The Martinez Brothers - Sitigawana (ft. Faith Mussa)

Lane 8 & Yotto - I / Y

Pryda - PRYDA 15 VOL I

Various Artists - Realm Of Consciousness Pt. IV

The Chemical Brothers - Eve Of Dubstruction

Poppy - Choke

Duke Dumont ft. Shaun Ross - Red Light Green Light (For Club Play Only, Pt 6 / Remixes)

RIP Philippe Zdar

You likely know by now, as news broke late last night, one of electronic dance music's most influential people has passed. Philippe Cerboneschi, more widely known as Philippe Zdar, fell from a building in Paris, dying at age 52. However, his presence will remain with us forever. A true pioneer, he was perhaps best known for his part in the duo Cassius, but his masterful mixing skills and undeniable ear sent his musical fingerprints in seemingly infinite directions. His production credits range from Franz Ferdinand and Kanye West to Chromeo and Phoenix. And while his time on this plane of existence is complete, we can expect more new music from him as two albums lay in wait for tomorrow as he contributed to Hot Chip's A Bathful Of Ecstasy and indeed Cassius' first album in three years, Dreems.

While waiting for those final bits to be released, I did a little Throwback Thursday by retracing some of my favourite Zdar in the playlist below. I'll leave you with that, encourage you to read an insightful piece from Laura Snapes on The Guardian here, and, if you feel compelled, do some digging of your own - the reach of Philippe Zdar is, as I said, seemingly infinite. RIP Philippe, thanks for everything...

Enlightened Listening for September 21

Holy funky Friday Batman! What another blessed week for releases. There's killer tracks from Apashe, Boys Noize, Chris Lake, along with the resurrections of both The Dove and Nicky Da B. A masterful album from Ryan Hemsworth. A mindblowing midtempo compilation from some of the best in the game plus funk from NAMPA, Midas Hutch and 2ToneDisco. Stream this week's Enlightened Listening in the playlist below, read brief descriptions, grab free downloads where available and enjoy!

NAMPA - Babymood
What's in the water that makes the French so funky? This one has me smiling from ear to ear, as both the vocals and production tickle my heartstrings. Feels like Aeroplane's mix of "The Piper's Song."

Midas Hutch - The Feels
We've already heard (and fallen in love) with a couple of these cuts, but six tracks are truly a treat, nailing the EP's title. Perfect for a sunset stream, sharing some drinks with friends.

Ryan Hemsworth - Elsewhere
This man can do it all, and this album is perfect proof of that fact. Just look at the number of tracks and artists, and the overall quality of each. Indie and pop at the same time. And those switch ups, damn!

MEMBA - Stand Off (ft. Ehiorobo)
These guys have been on the come up for a while so it's awesome to see them on Monstercat. While I continue to grow less and less interested in future bass, there's no arguing the killer quality of MEMBA's sound design, nor their ability to work with and around vocalists.

2ToneDisco - Love Automatica (ft. Chandler Blasé)*
So funky chiptune disco you say? No wonder I'm on board. Even when it's drawn back and Blasé takes the lead I can't help but tap my toes. Then when it all comes together, that's true love.

A-Trak ft. Todd Terry - DJs Gotta Dance More (Cassius Burnin' Mix)
Took me a bit to dig the last mix of this track, but when I heard the 15 second teaser for this one I immediately knew this was going to be for me. Legends on legends on legends. Sure to get more than just the DJs dancing, I can see everyone from the security to the bar staff grooving out to this.

Chris Lake & Green Velvet - Deceiver
Did someone say legends? Because we've got another killer collab here. Clean yet dirty. Simple yet strong. No big surprises here just another potent production to add to each of these veterans' catalogs.

Apashe - Do It (ft. Black Prez)
Is this really the first Apashe original since Requiem? Clearly he's been perfecting this and it shows. Another unreal ominous soundscape with viscous, violent drops and a dope vocal delivery.

Various Artists - Blood Moon*
Of the seven artists on this EP, I've covered or played everyone except No Etiquette, but their track has me digging for more. All these tracks reek of destruction, despair, dread, death and other dark D words.

The Dove - Vault Traxx
Hold up! The Dove is back?! It's hard to match the viral quality of "Girl At A Party With Siren" but these two new tracks are both in the same vein as that original Twin Turbo release. Pure party power.

Wuki - Go Deep (ft. Nicky Da B)
There have been a handful of tracks with this name, but Wuki may have just won the title with this banger. The bass line is wicked sick, sure to have you moving at one hell of a clip, and might just leave the whole club jumping as it slaps stupid strong.

Boys Noize - Killer (ft. Stephen A. Clark)
Last year Seal and Adamski's acid house classic got new life with an incredible orchestral touch from Pete Tong and Jules Buckley, now Boys Noize has brought it back to the executionary electronic sphere. Full of life with Clark's vocals and that perfect piano touch which opposes the exceptionally dark drums and cut-throat chords.  Some classics will never die and this one deserves to live on in eternity.

* asterisks indicate free download

Throwback Thursday: Cassius - I < 3 U SO (Bowski Remix)

For this week's installment of my Throwback Thursday series, it gives me great pleasure to reintroduce the world to one of the most creatively crafted, fine tuned, floor throbbing, ever increasing intensity remixes, courtesy of Bowski, it's the Cassius' track "I <3 U SO" featuring vocals from Tom Cowcher.

I first heard this classic Bowski track, in Rynecologist's Still Thinking Muckmix pt. III (full mix here). Surrounded by some of the best bloghaus and a masterful mashup of Roxy Music's "More Than This" with Shadow Dancer's "Parallax," I <3 U SO builds so beautifully out of the restrained and subdued Bryan Ferry track. Its percussion slowly pushes the mix, progressing once again into an automated existence. The combination of the organic, lyrical beauty with the factory formed repetition, paints the picture of a world where life and love are one and the same, inextricably tied. The inescapable magic of Bowski's version combines the heavily structured progression, through it's many waves and processes as though it were some kind of musical Rube Goldberg machine. It's movement is unavoidable, pulsating bass work, winding and vibrating drum fills, and electronic effects combine to covertly gain control of your heart-rate. I'll always have fond memories of working in the Provincial Park using a leaf blower to clean campsites, day after day enjoying Rynecologist's mix, in large part to his track choices but also his ever so smooth mixing.

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Hero's Long Lost Minimix

Yesterday afternoon, Calgary's own, Hero dropped a self described random "18 minute electro mix [from] a while ago." Turns out that "while" was a few years, but in the same vein as A-Trak's Bloghaus Revival mix, it's filled with tracks that stand the test of time and still sound as fresh as ever.

Hero treats us to an excellently mixed compilation of tracks from the likes of Pilotpriest, Gesaffelstein, Sebastien Leger, Cassius, dcup, Siriusmo, and some Uffie, of course. Despite his claim that the mix is random, it actually flows really well and brilliantly showcases Hero's true artistry, in which he literally does everything: production, writing, mixing, vocals and art. The back and forth mixing between tracks in the early sections is tight, well thought out and adds some serious oomph. I've always liked mixes for the unparalleled amount of creativity they allow an artist to take advantage of and room for story telling, and there's no doubt that Hero puts this to good use. Alternatively, original productions and single tracks leave less room for such drawn out storytelling, making them more compressed and lean more heavily on vocals to tell the story, see for example his latest original, "Crutch," below.
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