Biesmans - Trains, Planes & Automobiles

Belgian-born Biesmans has not only found a literal home in Berlin, but he's also found a home for his music there too. His debut on Watergate Records, Trains, Planes & Automobiles, features two originals alongside a Fideles remix. Those unfamiliar with Biesmans' sound will immediately notice his penchant for producing splashy, prismatic, synth-driven tracks. Whether labelled indie, disco, house, or simply electronic, every one of Biesmans' tracks has an undeniable 80s allure. Playing into that theme, this new Watergate release harkens back to John Hughes' 1987 classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Like the EP's inspiration, the title track has movement at its core, propelling itself ever forward. First, it chugs like a locomotive before breaking through the clouds, soaring high above it all, eventually coming back to earth only to get stuck in traffic, accosted by a chorus of car horns. Again like the EP's inspiration, the title track perfectly straddles the line between slapstick and sentimentality, thriving through its killer chemistry.

Following "Trains, Planes & Automobiles" is the Fideles remix which, if we're to stick to the old movie metaphors, feels like it fits more in the 90s. With a new breakbeat bed and industrial energy, it becomes grittier and altogether more brooding, shrouding the scintillating synth work in a thick fog. And from that darkness emerges the final piece of this retro trifecta, "Save The Night." A triumphant affair, its driving groove emulates the horizon, hiding the sun's radiance until its glorious glimmers finally grace our skin. The warmth of "Save The Night" rests right beneath the surface, threatening to break through at any moment, and when it does with the vocal hooks and swirling synths, there is little better feeling. It is like dancing in the rain, revelling in each resplendent drop.

Stream Trains, Planes & Automobiles below and get it from your preferred source here.

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Enlightened Listening for January 25

Friday's never disappoint when it comes to new music, and for this week's Enlightened Listening, I've honed in on a couple albums, and the latest Afterlife EP, alongside a handful of fantastic singles. As always stream below, find individual releases linked with brief descriptions at the bottom and enjoy!

Rudimental - Toast To Our Differences
Massive album from the masters. More features than you can count, including Jess Glynne, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Maverick Sabre, and more. The kind of quality and range you can expect from one of the world's best outfits. Some easy listening poppy bits with its share of heavier, DnB stompers.

BOT - BOT New World
Serious callbacks to his crazy Crookers days with weird, often times trippy deliveries. Colourful, vibrant and transportive techno. If this means we're coming back to this style, I'm game.

Fideles - Endless Sacrifice
I cannot get enough of Afterlife at the moment, and while I would've loved to have got my hands on some of the IDs in Tale Of Us's Voyage mix, this is certainly satisfying. At times overpowering and others spine-tingling, each track has an engulfing energy that, like BOT above, takes you places.

Sheridan Grout & GXD - Dam
Was not expecting this kind of banger, but I am most certainly here for it. Reminds me of one of my favourite mixes of all time, Cosmic Gate's 2011 Essential Mix. Beyond brilliant, absolutely euphoric!

Ducky - Day Zero
Lyrically and sonically punchy. Captures the same kind of energy as early Porter Robinson/San Holo.

QUIX - Stronger (ft. Elanese)
QUIX keeps innovating and moving the bar, keeping not just us listeners on our toes but his peers too. The consummate quality he always brings is astounding, and while we may already know that, it's hard not to get blown away by the drums and brass in the second drop. Wow, just wow.

Rusko - Squeeze (Burnin)
The world is a better place with Rusko pumping out beats, and that's exactly what he did with this one: pump. Fat af, this simple stunner is sure to get rinsed out all summer long, in fact it might just speed summer along, and I don't think anyone's complaining about that...

Haus Of Panda - Kick It
I don't know what I like more: 1) that Haus Of Panda's been dropping fire like this with incredible regularity for over a year now, or 2) that he seemingly raises the bar with each release. Certainly seems as though speed house is here to stay!

Dr. Fresh x BIJOU - Gangsta Party
The masters of menacing g-house combine for a couple chest rattlers. Not for the faint of heart, these are sure to do damage on the dance-floor.