Enlightened Listening for July 9

After skipping last week, Enlightened Listening is back with more than four hours of new music that you need to hear. Closing the book on last week, I'll note that Daktyl's "Hyperion" is from then, but I prefer it to the new single from his forthcoming mixtape. It, like so much of this week's playlist, features an incredible energy, a wicked vibe, and dope drums.

The other theme appears to be long-form releases (LPs or mixtapes) with Hybrid, Wizard, DJ Ride, and Attacca Quartet, each crafting a unique, cool, and compelling journey. Rounding out that first half, I've gotta give a tip of the hat to Ninajirachi's NLV/Sable Valley release, which is an absolute gas.

Still, the dope drums persist into the second half of the playlist as things get a touch more spacey with an awesome yehno remix package, another unreal Skream ifeel EP, and an Amtrac solo effort on OPENERS. Turning more dancey, and ever more groovy, the playlist continues with intoxicating originals from KUU and Peggy Gou, and a trio of top-notch remixes from Tensnake, Gerd Janson, and ABSOLUTE. Finally, the cherry on top, Chilly Gonzales with one that's sure to make you grin, "Music Is Back." Dig in now below and find each individual release linked at the bottom. Have a great weekend!

Hybrid - Black Halo

Daktyl - Hyperion

Wizard - Viper

tails - tic tac toe (ft. laye & Kelland)

Ninajirachi - Dracodraco

DJ Ride - ENRO

Attacca Quartet - Real Life

Polaris - Love Letter

yehno - Tomorrow We'll Be Here Remixes

Skream - Instakord

Amtrac - Outer Station Support

KUU - Voices

Anti Up - Sensational (Tensnake Remix)

Peggy Gou - I Go

Flight Facilities - The Ghost (Remixes)

Chilly Gonzales - Music Is Back

Enlightened Listening for February 14

After last week's 14 track edition of Enlightened Listening we're back to big business here with 16 releases and nearly 50 tracks. This week features the long anticipated release of Tame Impala's The Slow Rush, the second ever offering from No Neon and tons of incredible techno. Enjoy via playlist after the break, find each release linked individually linked at the bottom and read brief descriptions next.

Opening this epic 4 hour 21 minute journey is of course Tame Impala and his increasingly electronic album The Slow Rush. A perfect place to start if I do say so myself. Murtagh follows the psychedelic LP with a couple moving cuts before No Mana transports us his sensational Secret Level. Diverse in its delivery, there's a lot to like in this album as its power grows progressively stronger. The robust roll-out continues as Mathame make massive waves with For Every Forever on Afterlife. Staying supremely strong, we're then treated to two new Marc Romboy multitudes (something I'd been craving and searching for as recently as yesterday).

This year has already offered up some ridiculously awesome tunes and the basis of this next EP is yet another. Market Memories' "Rain Dance" is beyond brilliant and both ABSOLUTE. and Doppel deliver dope remixes. Like I said last month I'm already excited about this year's best of list and you better believe one of these three versions will make this cut. It is that cool.

Turning more epic in their arc and delivery (as if that were possible), the next two releases are masterclasses in movement as No Neon welcomes Craig Williams & Pantheon and Glenn Morrison taps Petar Dundov for a resplendent remix of his already divine "Tangerine Dream." Yotto and Colyn then take us on two equally alluring journeys through Joris Voorn's Four. Moonwalk then have me hyperventilating with "Salem," my favourite of the awesome 3 track Alba EP.

After the dark burn of "Phoenix," Luttrell and Dusky bring the playlist back into the light with "Some Other Time" and Life Signs Vol. 2, respectively. The fun and funkiness of the latter then lead into an absolutely brilliant and slick Botnek production "Take Me Higher." The acid get-down of that leads very nicely into a jaw-dropping version of all-time classic "Sweet Dreams" courtesy Average Gypsy.

Finally, the playlist closes with yet another incredible Peggy Gou production, "Jigoo" with Maurice Fulton, only to be followed by an utterly euphoric take on Myd's "Superdiscoteca" from nit.


Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

Murtagh - Windswept / Close To You

No Mana - Secret Level

Mathame - For Every Forever

Marc Romboy - Speicher 114

Market Memories - Rain Dance

Craig Williams & Pantheon - Division

Glenn Morrison - Tangerine Dream

Joris Voorn - Four Remixes Pt. 1

Moonwalk - Alba

Luttrell - Some Other Time

Dusky - Life Signs Vol. 2

Botnek - Take Me Higher

Average Gypsy - Sweet Dreams (ft. Silver)

Maurice Fulton & Peggy Gou - Jigoo

Myd - Superdiscoteca (nit Remix)

Enlightened Listening for April 19

Is there such thing as a not good Friday? As long as there's new music to enjoy, I don't think so. This week's Enlightened Listening includes the completion of a number of projects we've previewed here before including Peggy Gou, Myd, and Dean Grenier & Pilo's collaborative Take Form EP, plus a slew of my favourite names dropping dope records which I'll guide you through below.

Things get started with Four Tet who just graced the Mojave stage at Coachella this past weekend. "Teenage Birdsong" is a smooth, catchy little number that plays through an immense amount of instrumentation, especially considering its tight three and a half minute run-time. Next up, Prospa deliver a dope dance groove which just capture Annie Mac's Hottest Record In The World today. Peggy Gou then follows up the single "Starry Night" with sublime sensation "Han Pan," more in line with "It Makes You Forget." I have a strong feeling this one will be not just one of my songs of the summer, but of the entire year. Club Cheval's Myd then makes good on the rest of his Superdiscoteca EP with two more top notch tracks, my favourite being the cascading brilliance of "The Bouncer."

Next up Purple Disco Machine comes through with an absolutely massive compilation in collaboration with Glitterbox which brings together Purple Disco Machine originals, remixes and a number of awesome offerings from the likes of Hatiras, Mighty Mouse, Bob Sinclar and more. Staying with various legends, the next release is a match made in heaven: The Black Madonna remixing Robyn's "Between The Lines." Again with The Black Madonna, she, Horse Meat Disco and Maya Jane Coles have all been supporting ABSOLUTE.'s brilliant remix of Steve Lawler "Narna." Finally we wrap up this week's selection with two top notch techno EPs starting with the aforementioned Take Form from Dean Grenier and Pilo, before being swept off our feet by Kevin de Vries' Vertigo. If you need a single track to sell each EP look no further than the title tracks of each. Stream below and enjoy your weekend!

Four Tet - Teenage Birdsong

Prospa - Intended

Peggy Gou - Moment EP

Myd - Superdiscoteca

Various Artists - Purple Disco Machine & Glitterbox Present: Discotheque

Robyn - Between The Lines (The Black Madonna Remix)

Steve Lawler - Narna (I Am Happy) [ABSOLUTE. Remix]

Dean Grenier & Pilo - Take Form

Kevin de Vries - Vertigo

Peggy Gou - 2019letsgetit Mix

While many of us on North America's east coast are in the middle of an incredible deep freeze, we've caught a bit of a break with Peggy Gou's first BBC Radio One residency of the year. Calling the hour long mix "2019letsgetit," she shares music old and new, both entirely electronic and otherwise organic. Providing little insights into each selection, this is one of the best ways to get familiar with one of 2018's biggest stars and most trusted taste-makers. Of course I'm partial to Jay Daniel's take on "It Makes You Forget," however the new/old/new sandwich of Look Like "Do You Love," 2008 DFA release "Where's Jason's K," into Dorisburg's March release "Rytm," is exactly the kind of mix we expect from Gou - clubby, groovy and downright magical. That said, the final track, Jordan GCZ's "Minor 7 Resin" encompasses all those traits and more, warming our hearts and leaving use floating off into oblivion. Get the official stream via BBC Sounds here and follow the globetrotting Gou's socials for more!FOLLOW PEGGY GOU: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Top 100 Tracks Of 2018: 25-1

Continuation of the list started Friday: 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: Bicep - Opal (Four Tet Remix)
A match made in heaven and speaking of heaven, this may be its soundtrack. It is epic resounding resplendence, brilliant bleepy beauty, a sweep you off your feet soaring success. Like a journey deeper into your unconscious mind, things get both more murky and more clear at the same time. If there's any track in this list that is best suited for a spiritual awakening it is this. Turn off all your lights, lie on the floor and let Four Tet transport you to his higher plane of existence.

#24: Bunji Garlin & Busta Rhymes - Drop It
(As featured on EFYE) I can't think of any track that can quite compare to the dueling fire flows in this, except for the other time these two locked horns on "Differentology." As I said the first time I wrote about this, it's as though Bunji and Busta both go super saiyan at the same time murdering everything in sight. That said you cannot leave out 1st Klase who's production is pure perfection, doing not just the big things right, but paying attention to the little details in the bed squeak, panning and more.

#23: The Night - Set Me Free
No, this is not Nero, but I don't care, it's genuinely gorgeous, funky fun. I'm not sure I'll ever properly get over Alana Watson's voice, she is an absolute sensation, especially atop this dazzling display. The whole track flows like a fantastic voyage aboard the world's most luxurious yacht with a continuous, never ending party. It is flashing lights and flights of fancy, free of fear and devoid of despair. It doesn't get any more upbeat or outrageously uplifting than this ringing resplendence.

#22: Planningtorock - Beulah Loves Dancing
I cannot help but 1) grin ear to ear and 2) sing along to the lyrics, whenever this one comes on. It is exceedingly catchy, heavenly, heartening and brilliantly built. The way the strings play is gorgeous and groovy and the way the electronic bits slide around them is truly sensational. Add in the story elements, and their roles in Powerhouse, and you've got the best track on one of the best albums of the year.

#21: Kevin de Vries - Aratak
Apart from perhaps #7 in this list, there may be no more powerful track released this year. Seeing Monika Kruse drop it with the Eiffel Tower in the background only adds to this incredible intensity, as does the way she played with it. That Cercle set is when I really fell for it, but there's no discounting the unreal alien design and fantastical flare of the studio version. Afterlife as a whole had a fantastic year, but this big build and even more epic release makes for one of the best tracks of the year.

Enlightened Listening for April 6

IT'S THE WEEKEND! As if that weren't enough to get you excited, how about an onslaught of amazing new music to fill it? Back with another edition of Enlightened Listening comes EPs from Peggy Gou and AC Slater; singles from Attlas and Chromeo; albums from Booka Shade and Daniel Avery; and remixes from MK and Akira Akira & Hikeii. As is seemingly always the case, house is represented in all shapes and sizes, with a fair amount of funk, plus a killer club cut to round it out. Stream all the new music via Spotify below, and read brief descriptions after the jump. As always, enjoy!

Peggy Gou - Hundres Times
Finally the EP is complete. As free and fun and its partners, this one pulsates with a classic club sound.

Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons ft. Chela - Five Moons (Jamie Jones Igazu Remix)
The strength of subtly is on full display. Brilliant bass and prodigious percussion weave wonderfully around Chela's vaporous vocals. Check Jamie's Liquid Dub for an even darker delivery.

Tom Misch - Disco Yes (ft. Poppy Ajudha)
My favourite from his groovy album Geography. It could succeed as an instrumental, but the interplay between vocals and strings is simply sublime. Check "South Of The River" for more magic.

Chromeo - Must've Been (ft. DRAM & Jesse Johnson)
More fantastically funky fun from Chromeo. Another salacious singalong that has me melting at the thought of hundreds joining in when they bring their tour to The Danforth Music Hall, July 3rd and 4th.

Daniel Avery - Song For Alpha
The kind of quality that we've come to expect from Phantasy Sound and Daniel Avery. Almost orchestral in its arc, running from techno and house to chill and ambient. Adding to the all around epic brilliance, it has its own full length visuals, which you can lose yourself to here.

Attlas - Treehouse
I'm always astounded by the colour and quality of Attlas' productions, particularly the more techno tilted tracks like this. This one tickles, teases and downright pleases. It's hard not to lose yourself.

Armand Van Helden vs. Butter Rush - I Need A Painkiller (MK Extended Mix)
Another big time floor filler from the master. Downright gorgeous groove that I could listen to for days.

AC Slater - I Wanna Show You
The title track will win you over by bringing the piano back to bass house. "Amen Tribe" may lead to the floor spontaneously combusting as shufflers set it alight. The little extra effects and punctuations only further the fantastic groove of "Can't Come Down." This Young Lyxx track may be the best of the bunch.

Booka Shade - Cut The Strings
The thought of a new Booka Shade album is appetizing in itself, and having already covered "Night Surfing" here, saying I was excited for its release would be an understatement. I absolutely love "EMS Love" and "Confessions," and the deeper we get in the album the more impressed I get. The run from "And You?" through "Tyrell" makes this one of the early front runners for album of the year.

Ross From Friends - Aphelion
Beautiful and chill chords of all kinds mixed around masterful drum work. I hadn't been big on Ross From Friends, but the live stuff from Maida Vale last week had be hooked. Find it here.

SG Lewis - Dusk
Downright delightful depiction of the most beautiful time of day. So fantastically full of groove that despite the sun going down you'll be energized to dance all night long. My personal favourite: "Aura."

Cashmere Cat & Major Lazer ft. Tory Lanez - Miss You (Akira Akira & Hikeii Remix)
The club recasting this track desperately needed. Delicious drumline and brilliant bounce.

The Magician - Magic Tape 78 (Recorded live in Miami)

Of course Miami Music Week was top of mind the last little while and while many compilations have come and gone, The Magician's 78th edition of his Magic Tape mix series is an undeniable standout. Recorded live in the middle of Fool's Gold's takeover of 1-800-Lucky (between sets from A-Trak and MK), the hour long selection is all sorts of spellbinding sorcery. It features a handful of brilliant brand new jams including Duke Dumont's "Inhale," Peggy Gou's "It Make You Forget," and the Alex Metric/Ten Ven collab "Otic." Yes these are all familiar and fantastic tracks, and of course it features The Magician's masterful mixing mysticism, but the best bits are forthcoming releases from A-Trak & YehMe2's "Prayer Hands" (out Thursday) and Supermini's remix of Crush Club "We Dance." Get tracklist via 1001tracklists, stream below and begin your week with this bewitching wonderment.FOLLOW THE MAGICIAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Twelve Mixes To Get You Through The Week

Going back through the year I've already shared several masterful mixes, from the likes of Tiga, Point Point, and Alan Fitzpatrick (as well as five new episodes of My Mixtape). While I normally write more lengthy descriptions and sales pitches as to why you ought to listen, I've found that today I've become overwhelmed with wonderful musical journeys. So with that in mind I've compiled a dozen of my favourites of 2018 so far, and will share with very brief descriptions. There's everything from jungle DnB, experimental bass and trap, dubstep, disco, house, and chill. Since not all of these mixes are on Soundcloud there will be no proper playlist, instead I'll use individual embeds. Enjoy below!

Just Keep Dancing

It's Sunday but it's also a long weekend in most places, which means you may be tired, but you may also be headed out again tonight. With that in mind I've put together a list of extended dance type tracks, old and new; just some of my favourites these days.

Again I've turned to Spotify as most of these tracks are not on Soundcloud, but unlike my new music playlists I've put these in a 'cohesive' listening order. It starts with more throwback disco/dance grooves, with legends like The Cure, Barry White and a repacked version of The Stooges. Then we get two of the hottest dance tracks of the moment with Peggy Gou and Offaiah, before hitting the finale of Snarky Puppy. That track, "Lingus" is by far and away my most played track in the last few months and I still can't get enough of it. It is the oddball in this list but I just needed to share it, and this felt like the right time to sneak it in. Hope this makes your Sunday and weekend more enjoyable. Cheers!