Enlightened Listening for March 29

Just as with last week's edition of Enlightened Listening, the focus is on the future and we've got a great taste of it not just in the three diverse, yet equally awesome albums from Nömak, Maceo Plex and Plant43, but also in the trio of super-duos: the return of Dog Blood (Boys Noize & Skrillex), Anti Up (Chris Lake & Chris Lorenzo) and the newly founded Europa (Jax Jones & Martin Solveig). Rounding out the playlists are two beautiful takes on Luttrell's "Into Clouds," the killer combination of NGHTMRE & A$AP Ferg, and the versatility of Diplo as he does house. Stream below and enjoy!

Luttrell - Into Clouds (The Remixes: Part 1)

Diplo - Hold You Tight

Jax Jones & Martin Solveig Present Europa - All Day And Night (ft. Madison Beer)

Anti Up - Concentrate

Dog Blood - Turn Off The Lights

NGHTMRE - Redlight (ft. A$AP Ferg)

Nömak - 128 kbit/S_My_Love

Maceo Plex - Mutant Series

Plant43 - Three Dimensions

Top 100 Tracks Of 2018: 75-51

Continuation of the list started yesterday: from 100-76, which also includes my disclaimer/preamble. Soundcloud playlist here and at the bottom.

#75: Cloverdale & OSOTYT - Funky Junky
Where disco was the biggest riser in my listening habits in 2017, that title goes to funk in 2018. That said, house is still my bread and butter, so the combination of the two here is an obvious fit. The drops are solid to say the least (with some special stank on the second), but for me it's the sections around the drops that propel this track into the countdown. The funky scratching in the conclusion nails my tastes so much so that I had to include it in my new intro for the 8th season of Bump In The Hump.

#74: Moullinex ft. Georgia Anne Muldrow - Say It Slow (Wild & Free Remix)
A bright and beautifully bouncy number right from the get-go, but once those shimmering synths join the action, I'm hooked. Add in some slick little solos and flourishes and you've got a truly divine disco number. It is fabulously full of life and brilliantly buoyant, and while it's supposedly slow, it hits on all cylinders pumping out one of the more pleasurable pieces you'll hear all year.

#73: Hoodboi - True Colors
Hoodboi showed us a new side of his artistic abilities with Breathing Room, and that title track could very well have been in this spot. However, "True Colors" makes the cut as a result of its restrained, uber smooth roll out. It is like waking up to the world with new eyes, seeing shapes and colours with a renewed, childlike wonder. Full of heart and feeling it may not dazzle with banging bass or an overwrought melody, but rather it kind of floats down into your consciousness like a feather in the wind.

#72: RealMind - Actif (ft. Billboard)
Some tracks leave you speechless, and I knew this one was going to do this to me, but I could not let it go uncovered. So here's my go at it. The levels or acts as "Actif" progresses are incredible, and the fact that these two have tied them together so seamlessly is even more so. The opening build is beautiful, but boy is the punchy push into the second section some kind of special. And really that's the key for me. The way it kind of clicks and stomps and wobbles is stunning, especially as it kicks back in following the obsidian third section. And yes, if you're getting deadmau5 vibes you're not alone.

#71: Chromeo - One Track Mind
With Head Over Heels firmly in the running for album of the year, I think back to the first time hearing it in full and the laughter and joy it brought me as I drove to that night's baseball game. I'll say that this isn't the only album cut on this list, and for a bit this was the one. Actually I still go back and forth, but here we are at forth. Smooth grooves, cool call and response, and one hell of a build towards the triumphant final frame that is sure to send shivers down your spine. I can't help myself, I'm obsessed.

#70: Benny Bridges - Are You Okay?
As a part of Justin Jay's Fantastic Voyage Facebook group I got an early copy of Benny Bridges' EP and this came on in my car without proper attribution. I had to know who it was because it bumped so good. The drums and bass combine brilliantly, but it wouldn't be half as good without the extra little effects further punctuating the already punchy affair. Simple yet strong, there's no denying this delivers.

#69: TroyBoi - Frustrated (ft. Destiny)
No one does it quite like TroyBoi. Sick with strings, wicked with wobbles, vicious with vocals and top notch with twists, he really does it all. And it's all here in perhaps his best work to date. The intro teases perfectly and you know you're in for something special, but like "Do One," his other single released on that very same day, there's no way of predicting the warped genius in store. Scary good stuff.

Enlightened Listening for June 22

It's the end of the week and that means tons of new music is dropping. The digging has been done and I've got another edition of Enlightened Listening for you. As always the list runs through seemingly every genre, with new music from big names, new names and everything in between. This week I've done my best organize them in a cohesive flow from more chill future bass vibes, through funk and disco, where then things get a bit messy, moving from Wuki's take on "The Hustle" into Tiga & Kölsch's collab "HAL," then into heavy house and hard hitting bass. Stream below and grab the free D/Ls.

Clairo ft. Danny L Harle - B.O.M.D. (dream boi remix)*

Charli XCX - Lucky (Ö Remix)*

Birocratic - Holy Smokes

Maestro - Harmony (Yuksek Remix)

The Blackbyrds - Mysterious Vibes (LeBaron James Edit)*

Wuki - The Hustle*

Kölsch & Tiga - HAL

DJ Snake & Mercer - Let's Get Ill

KTRL & Cloverdale - Sphere*

Ape Drums - Shellz (Denzel Curry & Frizzo)

LITLBIRD - NEON ERROR*

Tracks marked with an asterisk denotes free download.

Sweater Disco @ Spring Awakening 2018

Mix master Michael McReynolds, better known as Sweater Disco, first caught my attention with his absolutely wild mashup of A-Trak's "Head Will Roll" and Nomak's "Korean BBQ" (stream/download here). It's edits like this that highlight his (re-recorded) set from Spring Awakening. Describing his sets as "non-wack tunes played non-seriously" this hour long adventure is just that. Ranging from all varieties of house, with touches of trap, techno, throwbacks and freakouts, there's more than enough dance madness to go around. Find the tracklist in the description, and stream via Soundcloud below.I'm always one for a an experimental or left-field opening but boy does the Henry Wu selection seem inspired, especially in contrast to the depths of the tech house follow up, "Synchronise." The grooves and masterful movement just keep coming as the next 15 minutes bounce along brilliantly. The next piece I cannot help but notice and call attention to is of course the incredible Chris Lake/Walker & Royce collab "Dance With Me."

Things get further twisted as we work our way into Don Rimini's daft "Loop Da Loop" and DJ Ze MigL's mental "Push 2 Shove." The wild and weird fun then seems to peak as in the next couple minutes we get a four pack of Sweater Disco's own crafting with a barmy, bass heavy edit of Lil Pump "Movin" followed by two of his trademark mashups, capped by a presumably forthcoming collab with Lvndo.

Now if you think you've heard the best of Sweater Disco's top notch edits, I can just about guarantee your jaw will be on the floor as a dance circle builds around it. For 10+ straight minutes we're treated to five fire flips in a row. Masters At Work vs Sven Lochenhoer, M.I.A. vs Edwin Osterwaal and Kanye vs Ardalan/Justin Martin, all absolutely kill one after another. It is a delirium inducing dance delivery that stays sick right up until the last loop of DJ Icey's "Analog City." An unquestionable music odyssey, one worthy of revisiting as the summer progresses.

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Point Point Live at AccorHotels Arena

I've gushed about Parisian supergroup and Record Record founders Point Point a number of times, both here and on FUXWITHIT, but I'm not sure I've been as in love with them as I am today with the release of their sublime live set from this past weekend. Recorded at AccorHotels Arena in the French capital; Aazar, LH4L, Devoted To God, and Nömak have illustrated exactly what it is I love about them. I knew that their unique brand of 'future bass' spoke to me, whether it be as individuals, as Point Point or in their releases on Record Record, but I see now why it does with this mix. It hits on so many classics and staples of the club, trap, jersey club, hip hop, and even funk scenes. The hour long set really has some of everything: it goes hard, it gets emotional, it features a number of their own tunes and so many of the tracks and artists that they draw inspiration from. Let me now do a quick run-through, below.

The epic arc opens up with sweet strings, easing our ears in slowly before the bright, bleepy vibes burst over the skyline like the first beams of morning light. The energizing opening is the first of dozens of flawless transitions, this one in particular plays into San Holo's "We Rise." Then as if writing this piece for me, the cinematic arc becomes blatantly clear as we get the now classic "Cinema Slasherr" edit from Benzi & Elephante. Following that we get the first of multiple Kanye cuts, this one coming as their own remix of "Power." The flurry of nostalgia stays steady with Sam Smith's vocals from "Latch" leading into the lap of power that is Freekill's remix of Aazar's "Gyal." Minutes later we're treated to the classic Run DMC/Bob James sample, which then transitions into an ungodly edit of KC & The Sunshine Band's "That's The Way (I Like It)," before slipping into Chicago's "Street Player" and then MERCER's "Satisfy." Just writing this has me hyperventilating. Someone get me a paper bag! This is too good.

The first third of the mix concludes some classic grooves from Armand Van Helden before giving way to the gritty genius that is Pyramid's remix of "Utopia." And then here comes your answer as to whether the mix could get better, and astonishingly the answer is yes, as in comes The King with "Beat It." I wish I could line this article with GIFs and emojis to better illustrate just what Point Point is making my face do. This is just crazy and quite simply one of the best mixes I've ever heard. It is incredibly enjoyable and while it leaves me wanting more, it keeps feeding me like Homer Simpson being fed donuts on a continuous loop. And if you thought I was done with the insane play-by-play, how about this transition from the Spice Girls aided "Oooops" of Drippy Dolphin into SOPHIE's "MSMSMSM" and then Carmada's remix of "Right Here, Right Now."

As we round into the second half of the mix we get more of Point Point's own productions including "All This" and "Korean BBQ," before a flurry of San Holo, Galantis and Jack Ü. These classics are then followed by a bit of a new music jam session, that neither I nor Shazam are able to identify. We're then beckoned towards the finale with a foursome of Point Point tracks "Life In Grey," "Serious Mood," "Part Of The Game," and "Hands." The grand finale comes in the form of a whistle aided live version of M83's "Midnight City." You're likely left both a shadow of your former self and a more fulfilled, actualized version. I for one know I'll be coming back to this mix many times in the coming days and months, and am grateful to be able to download it absolutely free. Do so here, and follow Point Point below.FOLLOW POINT POINT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Filet Mignon Volume 4

The time for massive compilation from French label Record Record's Filet Mignon series has finally arrived, with it's fourth installment, including tracks from Madeaux, DZZ, Dombresky, Masayoshi Iimori and Birdy Nam Nam, among others. I've been waiting for this ever since I first heard, what I called at the time, the track of the summer, Point Point's "True Summer." The aim of this series is to shine a spotlight on "tomorrow's new talents" with the backing of more experienced artists, through a coherent and clear artistic direction. There's no question Record Record has achieved this feat, as they've lead me to discover talents like LigOne, Araatan, Aazar and Valy Mo. They were able to get my attention by giving San Holo's "BWU" a place in their third installment, and it was because of it's inclusion that I found two of my favourite tracks, the aforementioned LigOne's "Uprising," and the Little Freaky Things, L'homme aux 4 Lettres' "in2." Once again they've compiled a great combination of tracks, working together to create a consistent and thematically succinct 15 track album. I can truthfully say there are no holes in this massive compilation. Each track works both on its own but truly together in the album. When you can start with a Madeaux, DZZ collaboration and only build upon that foundation with each following track, you know you've got greatness on your hands. Devoted To God's "Burning Bridges" is worthy of worship not only for its pious production quality but Goldilox's voluminous vocals.

The following track from rising star Dombresky is yet another awesome track from him, and perhaps my favourite of the collection, with its swinging strings, soaring in loving beauty. Nomak's "What About Us" showcases a naughty and nasty touch that feels as though the couple in question is bickering in some infernal give and take. Pyramid follows that up with a rave worthy get down track, that just begs unsuspecting listeners to cry out, "Damn son, where'd you find this?" Asan & Halpe's "Amber" is an incredible piece of production prowess that's cinematically cool and sure to sweep you off your feet.

The enigmatic Masayoshi Iimori once again delivers a track that seems miles ahead of anything even the most future forward producers are making. You can be sure DJs the world around will be adding "Down" into their sets for surefire screwfaces and cries of "What in the world is this?" The following track from Birdy Nam Nam is perhaps the best example of the importance of track placement, there is an inevitable let down following Masayoshi's mastery and "Sad Boys Club" emotes that so brilliantly with the downtrodden, depths of his sorrowful synth work.

The aptly named "Don't Let Them Stop You," leads the compilation out of despair, before BeazyTymes "Get Hit" beams it back into oblivion, and in my opinion ought to be named "Get Lit." Once you are indeed 'lit', the best thing for you is a refreshing, cool breeze, and there's no track that better elicits that feeling more than Point Point's "True Summer." The following track from Brunelle, "Chemistry," rivals Dombresky for my favourite of the collection. As though crafted by a scientist in a lab, it truly lives up to its name, as a perfect mixture of so many of the elements we've heard in this massive compilation; groovy, beautiful and as dance-able as anything in Filet Mignon.

The penultimate track from Araatan, "Zereglee," utilizes a guitar and piano better than any electronic track I've heard and runs so brilliantly into the final boss track of Ateph Elidja's "TRRN." Things turn violent as it seems even the artists don't want the compilation to end. Once again utilizing cinematic sweeps, "TRRN" seems to be a triumphant and beautiful finale that caps off an amazing collection of tracks with an echoing slamming of a door, until the next installment.

I'm truly in awe of Record Record and this incredible album, not just because of the sheer number of great tracks, or their unbelievable cohesiveness, but the way they've been so thoughtfully compiled and showcase so many talented artists in a way that other labels can only dream of. You can stream or download Filet Mignon 4 on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon.

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