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

WRLD - Awake

Dutch producer WRLD just delivered an incredible artistic arc, upping his game, with the three track EP, Awake, released today, on Vancouver's Monstercat label. The spectacularly sparkling nu-disco/future bass feels of the title track are contrasted with the deeper, downtrodden and blues inspired, "Drowning," which in turn leads to the triumphant, reinvigorated, comeback of the final track "Discovery." Do not sleep on this incredibly cohesive and fantastically cinematic narrative. Let WRLD Awake your senses, by picking up the EP from iTunes, Bandcamp, Google Play, or streaming it on Spotify.

Unavoidably awesome playful, pitch-bent, synth riffs attack right out of the gates, firing you out of bed as though shot from a cannon. Colordrive's vocals preach the power of a double shot of espresso to the arm, inspiring even the most sleepy night owl to start the day with a bounce in their step.

The second track "Drowning," lies in stark contrast to the invigoration of "Awake." Emoting the depression of not being able to get out of bed, after a long night out. It is the overwhelming feeling of debilitating fear and petrification of never being able to achieve the same highs (of "Awake"). Ehiorobo's perfectly portray this suffocating feeling, amidst muted chords and a deluge of despondent synths.

WRLD and his masterful finale, cast this malaise aside, ushering in a new feeling of hope and optimism. The warm synths and bright inspiring piano of "Discovery," inject listeners with energy and enthusiasm for the future. Celebratory flourishes and exalted chords imbue superpowers and the feeling that anything is possible. Lifting spirits as though straight out of an 80s movie montage, it is the triumphant culmination and capstone of the simply incredible and emotive roller coaster ride that is WRLD's Awake.

SUPPORT WRLD: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER