Top 100 Tracks Of 2020: 100-76

Starting today through New Year's Eve (Thursday), I'll be revealing my list of the "Top 100 Tracks Of 2020." The following is my disclaimer, as I feel it important to preface this kind of list with some insight into its creation and the methodology behind it. While I spent a lot of time seriously pouring through this year of music, this is not really a serious endeavour. No one was polled. Sales and streams are irrelevant. This is merely my fun way of sharing the tracks and artists that made my year better, in hopes they do the same for you. The rankings are not scientific or even fair, rather they are simply a reflection of how strongly I felt these tracks and how much praise I felt they deserved. 

You'll notice the thread of disco/funk continues to run through these year-end lists, while DnB and breaks appear more than ever before. Another trend continues as we see a further diminishing amount of club-type tracks included, primarily as circumstances changed consumption and led to the vast majority of my musical enjoyment coming on my many escapist bike rides. That said, the power of some of these tracks is unavoidable as they will assuredly kill when clubs come back.

Finally, I will once again say that this is by no means an exhaustive list; there are without a doubt exceptional tunes that somehow failed to make the cut. However, onward and, in this case, downward, from tracks 100 to 76 we go. Find the Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#100: Weiss & Harry Romero - Where Do We Go?

An early summer earworm. Makes masterful use of the sample from Alan Parsons Project "Games People Play." Not overly inventive or banging, but rather slick, smooth and altogether enjoyable. The first of many house tracks in this list that captured my heart this year, even if only for a moment.

#99: HAIM - I Know Alone

While it's been half a decade since I spent day after day with HAIM and Days Are Gone, the sisters and their work with Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij remain close to my heart. A toss-up as both this and "Now I'm In It" are perfect for 2020, I landed on this garage joint thanks to its catchy, crisp and crackling production and overall atmosphere.

#98: MERCER - Lemonade

Fabulous French filter disco house. Almost too slick. Undeniably good and groovy. The kind of track that has you tapping your toes uncontrollably and later leaves you humming its magnificent melody.

#97: Nikki Nair - 3XL

An acid-induced fever dream. Propelled by Nair's potent percussion and scintillating synths. Like so many of the tracks in this year's list, "3XL" is all about the journey. There's no skipping ahead to a dope drop or sick section, rather one has to ride out this rolling wave of resplendence.

#96: SBK. - One Man

Perhaps the most ominous and irksome track in this list. Spine-tingling strings, all kinds of ingenious percussive hits and of course the equally screwface and shiver-inducing sub-bass. Truly diabolic dubstep.

#95: Soda State - Midnight

Among the year's most fun and funky productions. I know nothing about Soda State, nor had I ever heard them before this, however their inclusion in Magic Tape 98 made for an incredible introduction. An awesome mix of pop sensibilities alongside retro dance resplendence.

#94: SOSA - The Sax

A track so infectious that I can turn a blind eye to its misleading moniker. The trumpet (not sax) top-line is awesome, as are its babbling vocal bits, but it is the way those two elements play with the rollicking percussion that makes this track one of the year's best house offerings. Like many on this list, I expect this would have ranked much higher were clubbing possible in 2020.

Four Tet - 🔴🌏⭕🔵🌕📀🌍⚫💿🌎🐦🐧🐤🌎💿⚫🌍📀🌕🔵⭕🌏🔴

On one hell of a roll, Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet, continues to churn out mesmerizing productions at a dizzying rate. Just last week, he dropped a divine remix of Krust's "Negative Returns" and since authored the followup to his 2011 collaboration with Burial & Thom Yorke in vinyl-only release Her Revolution / His Rope. But that's not all, Friday he's set to be featured as part of a 40-piece locked groove, charity compilation in support of the ACLU and Liberty UK. Alongside the likes of HAIM, Mura Masa, Overmono, Skrillex and others, the compilation features 1.8-second (one bar) circular grooves that repeat until the needle is raised. However, this is not the loop Four Tet is spinning.

Tuesday, Hebden marked the first of December with a seemingly infinite loop entitled "🔴🌏⭕🔵🌕📀🌍⚫💿🌎🐦🐧🐤🌎💿⚫🌍📀🌕🔵⭕🌏🔴." Playing since 5 PM GMT, it's currently unclear whether this is an extension of the loop from the aforementioned PLZ Make It Ruins' Locked Grooves 12" or something else entirely. Paired with cool art from Anna Liber Lewis and additional merch designed by Lewis (available here), this infinite loop brings together Four Tet's trademark breathtaking ambiance, sublime, plucky percussion and savvy sample work. Lacing the acid touched track with what appears to be Ariana Grande vocals, it seems unlikely that this loop will find a proper release, but we can certainly hope. Listen live here, find a ripped, nine-minute section on Soundcloud below, and follow Four Tet's socials at the bottom.

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Enlightened Listening for June 26

While I said I was going to take the week off Bump In The Hump and blogging, I figured today was as good as any to break said 'promise.' However I will keep pretty close to it by simply listing this week's Enlightened Listening below, with no additional commentary. As usual it runs from generally lighter to heavier tracks, from rock/pop/disco to ever more banging house and DnB. Have a great weekend!

HAIM - Women In Music Pt. III

Jessie Ware - What's Your Pleasure?

Breakbot - Be Mine Tonight

The Shapeshifters - Finally Ready (ft. Billy Porter)

DSK - What Would We Do (The Reflex Revision)

Midas Hutch - Freeze

Motez & Qrion - Slow Down

Amtrac - Stratego (Mindchatter Remix)

PRAANA - Samasta / Quiver

Howling - Lover

Hot Since 82 - Eye Of The Storm (ft. Liz Cass)

Djumba Soundsystem & NenaHalena - Sagas Of Iziki / Chapter I

Various Artists - Odd Ones, Vol. 1

The Juan Maclean - Here In The Twilight

T.Raumschmiere / Voigt & Voigt - Speicher 111

Jaded - Bounce (VNSSA Remix)

Dr. Fresch - It Don't Stop

Flume & Toro y Moi - The Difference (High Contrast Remix)

Izo Fitzroy - Red Line (Dr Meaker Remix)

Metrik - Ex Machina

Throwback Thursday: Katy B x Geeneus x Jessie Ware - Aaliyah

At some point today I decided I'd do a Throwback Thursday post and I tossed around a couple ideas, largely centered around incredible vocal performances. I thought about Gregor Salto and Funkin Matt's remix of Mariah Carey, Syn Cole's remix of Jennifer Lopez, Anabel Englund with Lee Foss and MK (either "Electricity" or "Ghost In The System") or MK's remix of HAIM. However as I listened to the latter on YouTube, my eyes were drawn to the name Julio Bashmore which reminded me of his work with Jessie Ware and in turn I was reminded of her track with Geeneus and Katy B.

Behold 2012's utterly breath-taking "Aaliyah." I'll start by saying that even on today's third listen, this time as the two divas sang live at Wireless Festival 2013 (see here), I was nearly brought to tears by the rush of endorphins as Jessie Ware came out for the second verse. These are two of my all-time favourite vocalists, both delicate and divine while remaining ridiculously powerful despite their restrained delivery. They both spin silky and sublime webs with their bewitching warmth. And it is this incredibly captivating and catchy quality that makes Geeneus' groovy bed such can't miss magic. The bounce is clean, crisp and beautiful. It flows fantastically through each verse and chorus letting its ever expanding luxuriousness lift up each vocal. This is never better noted than in the invigorating second verse in which Ware's whisper quiet vocals clash with the electrifying clicks and bleeps. There's no hope here but to give in to the groovy gorgeousness and bow down at the feet of this trio as they work their witchcraft/wizardry. The aura of "Aaliyah" is truly transfixing. Breath in its brilliance below.FOLLOW KATY B: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
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Throwback Thursday: HAIM - Falling (Duke Dumont Remix)

With the retrospective that comes with this final month of the decade, I figured today's Throwback Thursday post would be a perfect time to shine a light on one of the most important pieces in my musical evolution.

The year was 2013 and I found myself reaching into genres that I either hadn't heard before or hadn't enjoyed much in recent years. And of course there is always an impetus to such exploration, a singular inspiration. In this case it was Duke Dumont's blissful take on HAIM's "Falling." Introduced to me as a track he'd been closing his sets with at the time, I was immediately hooked on his cherubic chord selections and ever growing atmosphere. It's pure sonic pleasure with just the right amount of dance desire. His work around HAIM's vocals, especially Danielle's breathy delivery, is simply sensational. It was quirky and captivating to me, someone who had never heard HAIM before - however this was all about to change.

Later in that year HAIM performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, once again captivating me with their energy, enthusiasm and all around artistry (Este's incredible bass face included). All that winter I gorged myself on other live performances, eventually playing their Days Are Gone on repeat as I rode lawnmowers and weed-whacked my way through my landscaping job the following summer.

As readers of this blog will know, HAIM have since become one of my all-time favourite bands and for that I can thank Duke Dumont. It is this kind of inspiration I aim incite with this blog and my various radio shows, as you never know where your tastes will turn or what connections will be made.FOLLOW DUKE DUMONT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
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Enlightened Listening for March 8

We've got an extra funky Friday full of releases for this week's edition of Enlightened Listening. There's a couple cool albums of the groovier house variety, opposed by the despair driven darkness of Gesaffelstein's first album in over five years. There's also excellent EPs from Jon Gurd and Joe Goddard, as well as some sick singles from Don Rimini and Juelz, plus a couple sublime remixes from Folamour and Joris Voorn. Stream via Spotify playlist below and find descriptions at the bottom. Enjoy!

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Energy Fantasy (Folamour Remix)
Fantastic opening track. The drum work dazzles beneath bright and beautiful, soaring synths.

Birdee - Then Came The Sun
There are no holes in this album. Full on funky fun with awesome vocal driven and instrumental tracks alike. Big bold beats like "Love" and "Rumours" and more spacious, slow-burning sensations like "Meant To Be" and "Don't Give Up Your Love."

Locked Groove - Sunset Service
A lot like Birdee above, the funk is strong with this one; however, the energy is kicked up a notch, as immediately noted in "Pudding." Verging on classic rave vibes, there's no shortage of dance energy at the core of these tracks. They can be dark and dirty like "Zillion" or bright and ethereal like "Out Of Orbit."

Yotto - Walls (Joris Voorn Remix)
The typical top notch brilliance of Voorn is on full display here. As always, the extended offering allows the ease of "Walls" to breathe its beauty into your soul.

Jon Gurd - After It All
Like Folamour above, the drum work throughout this EP lays a fantastic foundation for the swirling synths to dance around. While it opens skyward in its projection, After It All gets deeper as it progresses.

Joe Goddard - Pull The Plug
My most anticipated release of the year so far. Each track is exceptionally designed, delivering some seriously sick grooves. "Sacred Heart" is both hypnotic and brilliantly bumping. "Max De Fool" builds on this hypnotism, turning further towards techno before Kool Keith cuts the chord with a wild get-down and fulsome flow on the title track. Finally, the fire inducing, furious drum opening of "Broken" will have you on your ass when the beat finally drops. Unreal.

Don Rimini - Homeboy
Bleepy shuffling brilliance. Not an all time stunner, but a surefire party starter.

Gesaffelstein - Hyperion
Expectations are dangerous. Expecting an artist to craft the same kind of tracks they did nearly a decade ago is foolhardy. No, this is not Variations, Conspiracy or even Aleph, but yes, it is still Gesaffelstein. His genius is still there; just like any of us, he's changed/evolved/grown over the years. Admittedly, I was not big on any of the singles, especially after the first few listens, however they've grown on me and now I'm quite the fan of both of the features. Of course I'm here for HAIM, and The Hacker/Electric Youth collab is incredibly intriguing, but the three track finale is perhaps the best bit of this whole endeavor. It's a bit soundtrack-ish, but hey, he's always had those proclivities and if you're not a fan of quality soundtrack stuff like John Williams, Wendy Carlos, Alan Menken and others, you're kind of missing the point...

Juelz - Closure (ft. Ruby Chase)
Finally, Juelz gives us our first taste of his Shanghai Nights EP, due out May 3rd on Fool's Gold. His club capabilities are on full display as he blends trap and future bass better than I've hear in a while.

2019 Grammy Predictions

In breaking news, I've learned the Grammys are tonight. I kid, but basically that's what this whole post is going to be: a little levity to close out the weekend. I'm gonna do my usual shtick of making predictions for categories I know/care about, and again it'll be my 'who should win' and 'who will win' double pick scenario, because even with two picks per category I'm still out to lunch most times. Oh and one more thing before the predictions, will the dance/electronic categories be in with all the obscure categories? Or will they continue to disregard their impact and treat them as a sideshow not fit for their floundering broadcast? I'd lean towards the latter, but let's just get to the good stuff, shall we?

*** Update: Results noted with ✓ or x ***

BEST DANCE RECORDING

Above & Beyond - Northern Soul (ft. Richard Bedford)
Disclosure - Ultimatum (ft. Fatoumata Diawara)
Fisher - Losing It
Silk City - Electricity (ft. Dua Lipa)
Virtual Self - Ghost Voices

Who Will Win: Silk City ✓
Who Should Win: Silk City ✓
Reasoning: I feel like the Academy is equally likely to go with any of Disclosure, Silk City and Fisher as they are seemingly the most widely-popular productions in the list. My bet is that they will make the 'right' choice with Silk City as they love both Diplo and Mark Ronson, and it is indeed the most accessible and perhaps most successful production of the bunch. That said, I would not be surprised if "Losing It" got the nod, as love it or hate it, it was without a doubt the club track of the year.

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

Jon Hopkins - Singularity
Justice - Woman Worldwide
Sofi Tukker - Treehouse
SOPHIE - Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
TOKiMONSTA - Lune Rouge

Who Will Win: Justice ✓
Who Should Win: TOKiMONSTA
Reasoning: This was a tough one. Obviously any of these could take the trophy, but I feel like they'll be too scared to go with SOPHIE, who might be the obvious choice in many eyes. The other nom that set itself apart from the group in terms of hype was Singularity, and I think it's got a solid chance. However, due to last year's seemingly unfair Kraftwerk catalog/best of winning, I see them doing the same with Woman Worldwide this year. That said, I've got Lune Rouge as the most enjoyable album through and through.

BEST REMIXED RECORDING

LSD - Audio (CID Remix)
Charlie Puth - How Long (EDX's Dubai Skyline Remix)
Gabriel & Dresden ft. Sub Teal - Only Road (Cosmic Gate Remix)
Kygo ft. Justin Jesso - Stargazing (Kaskade Remix)
HAIM - Walking Away (Mura Masa Remix)

Who Will Win: EDX
Who Should Win: Mura Masa ✓
Reasoning: This marks the 5th time Kaskade has been nominated in this category since 2008, and his 4th time in 5 years. Surely this is his year right? But sadly for him, I think not. I put CID and EDX in a near dead heat, with the advantage going to EDX in the kind of dance delivery that seems to get recognized most at The Grammys. My choice is obvious though, as I love both HAIM and Mura Masa, and see "Walking Away" as by far the most adventurous and progressive production in the list.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Boi-1da
Larry Klein
Linda Perry
Kanye West
Pharrell Williams

Who Will Win: Kanye West
Who Should Win: Pharrell Williams ✓
Reasoning: I see the Academy going for drama with this pick, and while he's likely deserving after an incredible year, there's no doubt Kanye will have people talking. That said, I believe Pharrell's output is more wide-ranging and because of his contributions to Timberlake and Grande's albums, he ought to become just the 4th person to win this category 3+ times.

***OTHER, MORE UNINFORMED PICKS***

Best Music Video: Childish Gambino - This Is America ✓
Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media: Black Panther ✓
Best Spoken Word Album: Jimmy Carter ✓
Best Americana Album: Brandi Carlile ✓
Best American Roots Song: The Joke ✓
Best American Roots Performance: The Joke ✓
Best Rap Album: Mac Miller x
Best Rap Song: Sicko Mode x
Best Rap/Sung Performance: This Is America ✓
Best Rap Performance: Sicko Mode x
Best Alternative Music Album: Björk x
Song Of The Year: The Joke x
Album Of The Year: Janelle Monae x
Record Of The Year: All The Stars x

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Fil Jackson & Eytan Tobin - Reefer EP

Last week I shared the Stephen A. Smith aided "Off Da Weed" from Fil Jackson and Eytan Tobin's colloborative EP, Reefer, which was released in full Monday. This six track club salute to smokers is so strong I've just got to roll up another one for the airwaves tonight. Stream below and tune in from 7-9!Joining the joint-toters tonight is your usual hearty helping of house (disco, deep, bass and otherwise), along with a strong sampling of techno, DnB, and trap. Once again we look ahead to the weekend with the likes of Jessie Ware, 1800HaightStreet, Amine Edge & DANCE, and HAIM, playing Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, respectively (all events linked through artist names). I've also got the first play of ASHE's forthcoming track "War Sun," which comes out Friday. Don't miss all this and more on Bump In The Hump live tonight from 7-9 PM EDT via Radio Humber or after the fact via Mixcloud.

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HAIM - You Never Knew (Jim-E Stack Remix)

Last night I lay in bed watching HAIM perform on the Coachella mainstage before Beyonce shut things down. My love for the sisters is well documented, both on this blog and my Twitter feed, but it was sometime in the last month or so that I came across the fact that Jim-E Stack was credited as playing the keyboard on Something To Tell You. My love for Jim-E is also well documented ("Deadstream" was #7 in my countdown last year) and only further flourished with his latest original, "Somebody," which is beyond gorgeous. So today when I came across a new Jim-E post on Soundcloud I was instantly excited, exponentially so when I heard Danielle's vocals.

While at first it took me a while to get into HAIM's more folk/country tinged tunes, of which "You Never Knew" is one, it is one of my favourite songs on the album. That said, hearing this more electronic tilt totally makes sense. Part of what makes the original so strong is the vocals, harmonies and otherwise, and again they are used to perfection here. The same can be said for the guitars, as they're only bolstered in a way that seemingly blends both the best bits from "Somebody" and "Deadstream." This remix is pure refined and restrained beauty and brilliance, and just another reason to jump on the Jim-E Stack bandwagon.. At the moment the track only seems be available below and on Youtube.FOLLOW HAIM: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
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HAIM - Walking Away (Petko Turner's Mura Massa Edit)

Petko Turner is a name I've come across a number of times in the last few months as I continue to dive further into the world of disco/funk edits and remixes, and today I fell headfirst into that ocean. The original impetus came from his most recent release, a take on "Fortihouse," which lead me to his prolific Soundcloud profile. Home to 277 tracks, the selection is epic with remixes and edits of artists and names I've never heard, alongside the likes of Phil Collins, Depeche Mode, Prince, and more. However, one track in particular caught my attention, the subject of this post, HAIM and "Walking Away."

Here Petko's taken his talents to the Mura Masa remix of said track, giving it a bigger bass backing and kicking the tempo up a notch. While the airy dreaminess of Mura Masa's version is all but boiled off, the bleepy brilliance seems stronger and more magical than before, especially in contrast with the bursting-at-the-seams bassline. The allure of HAIM's original and their vocals still remain, but the lyrics are cut back, which reminds me of the first time I heard HAIM, in Duke Dumont's remix of "Falling," This is further proof that whoever is supplying the vocals for HAIM (Este, Danielle or Alana), they are ripe for remixing. I certainly hope we're in for more masterful takes on their tracks, and highly suggest a scroll through Petko Tuner's bountiful back catalog. Download "Walking Away" free via Hyppedit here.

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Top 100 Tracks Of 2017: 25-1

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

#25: M-City J.R. - Addicted To My Ex (Taylor Thomas x KGTO Remix)
Of all the remixes in this list, there is no original that I'd be less likely to listen to (save for "All Star," although I certainly did when it came out in 1999). That being said this is one of the top 10 remixes of the year. It combines the loco lyrics that made the original so strange yet alluring, with a brand new ballsy delivery. Whether you have an ex like this or not, you'll certainly be flexing those trap arms when the dope drops screech in. It is absolute madness, especially in the fantastic "aahh" samples.

#24: Caveman - Life Or Just Living (Lil Hank Remix)
(As featured on EFYE) No track in this list invokes as warm a feeling and sure smile as this one. It was my introduction to Lil Hank and while I love "Pupperino" and "A Young Puppo Is Born," it remains my favourite of the bunch. It features Hank's delightful drum delivery and playful warmth that can only come from such a good boy. You can always count on him pick you up at your worst moments, and that's exactly what this track does. It is so supremely buoying that it feels as though you're bounding weightlessly across the Sea of Tranquility. Yet it's not alien at all, it feels just like home.

#23: Sinjin Hawke - Monolith (Overture)
Album openings are tricky. I'm not a fan of innocuous intros that do or say nothing. And dropping the best track right from the get go isn't really appropriate either. Sinjin is able to avoid that issue, while seemingly confronting both flaws, head on. The orchestral warm-up sets up the explosive fire of the album, while giving way to the "Wolves" vocal sample. And while there's still another track from First Opus to come, this was certainly in the conversation for best track on the album. It features all the elements that make First Opus my album of the year. It is big and bold, yet sprightly and spirited. The way the drums and vocals work and play together is utterly intoxicating.

#22: Oliver - Go With It (ft. Chromeo)
Chromeo always stir up something deep inside, but maybe I just better leave the lyrics to them. I too "feel some type of way" when they play next to me, "and I'm not tryna hide it/.../and I'm not gonna fight it." Yes, I absolutely love this, but I suppose we're here for why. It is of course uber funky and fun, combining the electro grooves of Oliver and vivacious vocal play of Chromeo. Each iteration of the synths are strong and self-assured. No matter what kind of day you're having, you'll be strutting when this comes on, any annoyances or aggravations will roll right off your shoulder.

#21: Everything Everything - Night Of The Long Knives
Last summer I had the pleasure of taking in Everything Everything live and was immediately blown away. Jonathan Higgs' potent voice spun circles around my head both in spite of and because of the mystifying lyrics (see "No Reptiles"). This led to their album Get To Heaven becoming one of my all-time favs, I just couldn't get enough. When the follow-up, A Fever Dream, was released I spent the whole day listening to it on repeat, particularly this lead track. It has everything I'd come to love about Everything Everything, and more. Higgs' voice is even more powerful, the drums/guitar/bass even more magnificent, and the lyrics even more mystifying. Just try to play this a couple times without being swept up, joining in the with the singing. This Thanksgiving I was still riding so high on this track that I literally walked around the house all night singing "shame about your neighborhood."

Stuck On Repeat

December is difficult. Everyone knows that. Add to the already maniacal month a glitch here or there and your whole world can be turned upside down. I dealt with a little of that this past weekend, hence my silence yesterday and most of today. That being said I can always depend on music to make me feel normal by providing a familiar foundation, especially when used as I often do, on repeat. Having my head in every which direction this weekend I relied on these five new releases for comfort and clarity. Since not are all available on Soundcloud I've again opted for a Spotify playlist. Enjoy below.Amtrac - Companions
Amtrac proves adept at partnering the pulse of the piano with the heavy heartbeat of house's deeper darker grooves. Part progressive house, part acid techno takeover. A stunning epic.

HAIM - Walking Away (Mura Masa Remix)
Holy heavenly intro! If that doesn't take your breath away then just wait for Danielle to dance along Mura Masa's new bouncy bed. The onslaught effects and their effectiveness around the vocals is incredible. The infinite potential of electronic music is on full display with this one.

Henry Saiz - The Golden Cage (Sébastien Léger Remix)
I'll admit I was skeptical any track titled "The Golden Cage" could ever compare to Fred Falke's remix of The Whitest Boy Alive, but here we are. Léger has outdone himself with this one. It rocks and most certainly rolls, but it's really the way he mixes the drum work and the atmospheric synths that gives this track freedom. The culmination at 6:18 is quite simply sublime.

London Grammar, Sir Spyro, Ghetts, Jaykae - Hell To The Liars
Another one of my favourites getting an unfamiliar rework. Hannah's vocals and Dan & Dot's music are as strong as ever: never breaking, only bending under the heavyweight grime of this additional trio.

Stephan Bodzin - Strand
Having both Bodzin and Léger in a playlist reminds me of classic Boy 8-Bit mixes. Epic techno with wonderfully warped wobbles, tactical percussion and an utterly explosive atmosphere.

Shortlist For Album Of The Year

It's that time of year. Time to look back at some of our favourite moments. While I'm working on crafting my top 100 tracks countdown, I've decided to come through with a 'shortlist' of my favourite albums of the year. I've gone with 17 to tie in with the year itself and will cut down to a select few to tackle on a more in depth basis. For now I'll just share the list in alphabetical order, while saving the review and my reasoning for those that make the cut in the coming weeks. Of course this is by no means a scientific undertaking, just the simple act of sharing the music I most enjoyed this year (electronic or not). Enjoy!

• Bicep - Bicep
• Cashmere Cat - 9
• Everything Everything - A Fever Dream
• HAIM - Something To Tell You
• Hal Incandenza - Calor
• Jacques Greene - Feel Infinite
• Joe Goddard - Electric Lines
• Kölsch - 1989
• Krafty Kuts x Dynamite MC - All 4 Corners
• LCD Soundsystem - american dream
• London Grammar - Truth Is A Beautiful Thing
• Mura Masa - Mura Masa
• Oliver - Full Circle
• Pete Tong with Jules Buckley & The Heritage Orchestra - Ibiza Classics
• Sasha - re-Fracted: Live At The Barbican
• Sinjin Hawke - First Opus
• TroyBoi - Left Is Right

HAIM - Little Of Your Love (BloodPop Remix)

The Haim sisters have once again released one of my favourite albums of the year, with Something To Tell You, the follow up to their genius debut Days Are Gone. That 2013 album spurred several superb remixes from the likes of MK, Cyril Hahn, Duke Dumont and others. I fully expect this collection of tracks to tempt producers to take on the vocal talents and magical melodies of HAIM, reworking them for the DJ decks. The first such remix comes from Michael Tucker, aka BloodPop (and previously Blood Diamonds). While he's remixed "Little Of Your Love" you may also be aware that he helped produce "Want You Back," the lead single from Something To Tell You. Stream below, and purchase here.What I like most about this mix is the way BloodPop stays true to the original, while playing with all of the elements that make HAIM more than just a rock band or a pop trio. "Little Of Your Love," like much of the album, showcases prolific pop production abilities from Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij, which BloodPop has zeroed in on and utilized expertly. The main melodies and vocals remain intact, while being re-birthed as a snappy synth driven singalong. The clicks, clacks and snaps of the reworked percussion work perfectly with HAIM's unique style. However the cherry on top of this mix is BloodPop's chords which are imbued with an astonishing amount of love. It's incredibly easy to enjoy, and I cannot wait for more mixes like this in the coming days and months.

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