Enlightened Listening for April 3

Another week, another month, another new edition of Enlightened Listening. While we're around the average size of 15 releases, it's a massive edition thanks to albums from Amtrac, JOYRYDE and AC Slater. Oh yeah, and a massive 31 track compilation from Afterlife with benefits going to the fight against COVID-19 in Lombardy, Italy. Otherwise we're looking a bunch of singles and a couple EPs. Find them all in the embed below with brief descriptions after the fact. Enjoy, stay safe and stay sane.

Amtrac - Oddyssey
Uplifting and beautiful album. Leans heavily on organic instrumentation with an appropriate sprinkling of electronic. Keeps you on your toes with its varied flow and energy.

Massane - Visage 1 (No Return)
I can't remember the last This Never Happened release I didn't like. In fact listening to the lead track again now, I'm struck by its subtle strength and brilliance. Warm and beautiful. I could live here.

Various Artists - Unity
Massive stuff. Not just in the number of tracks, but in their sheer sonic size. Standouts from Ae:ther, Fideles, Stephan Bodzin, Stephan Jolk, and of course, Tale Of Us.

Qrion - B4 Montreal (TSHA Remix)
Two of my favourite artists at the moment; seemingly neither can do any wrong. TSHA's percussion prowess is once again on full display.

Netsky - I See The Future In Your Eyes
It's been a while since I've really been into a Netsky track but this one, a welcome return to Hospital, reminds me why he was the one that really got me hooked on DnB. Sensational stuff.

The Prototypes - Oxygen ft. Kudu Blue
Right there with Netsky as my favourite DnB acts, The Prototypes pull me right back into ecstasy with this soaring number.

Thommy Davis & Randy Roberts - Try Jah Love (John Morales M+M Radio Edit)
The original is one of my all-time favourite tracks and this is a welcome rendition. Morales does a great job keeping the original integrity while adding a more club/DJ friendly twist. Gotta love the way the guitar and drums are showcased.

Tombz - Three 6
The last two World Famous Headquarters releases have been two of my favourite house tracks of the year. Botnek have done an incredible job curating the label and Tombz has delivered a dope groover.

DLMT & Lökii - Freak
Big bad wolf vibes and I don't mean the Duck Sauce classic, but rather the ominous archetype. Wicked roller.

SLATIN - I Don't Think So
Wild and wonky, I'm just surprised this isn't on World Famous Headquarters. Get ready for your jaw to drop.

Mr. Oizo ft. Roméo Elvis - Pharmacist
SLATIN set us up nicely for these freak outs. Oizo stays in a league of his own.

Moralez - Reach For The Dead
The build and movement in this is incredible. Feels like an 80's soundtrack piece dropped in a vat of acid.

JOYRYDE - BRAVE
The most anticipated electronic album ever? Even with expectations at a seemingly impossible level it does not disappoint. It bangs at an unbelievable rate and features plenty of different takes.

AC Slater - Hi8 Remixed
Lots of different flavours of bangers. Real club hours type ish. Rage ready.

DJ Cruz ft. STVSH & Jay Critch - Get A Bag (ANGELZ Remix)
If this is really the last of ANGELZ's tech house output (the tweet indicating this transition has since be deleted, so perhaps it's troll), it's a fantastic finale. An exceptional roller with oodles of movement providing a ton of fun.

Enlightened Listening for March 6

After last week's epic five album edition of Enlightened Listening we were due for a lower output, but that doesn't mean the quality has been cut. This week I've ditched the conventional build from easy, chill grooves in the opening to fire bangers in the finale and flipped the script. We open with the latest futuristic fire from Slooze who continues to build his incredible apocalyptic catalog of originals. He's followed by the debut release on René LaVice's new label DeVice. Our only album of the week comes next in the explosive followup to Doctor P's landmark Animal Vegetable Mineral, Pt. 1.

That closes out the more conventional bangers as we turn to a top notch track from Todd Terry and Alexander Technique in "Jack The Tek." Staying techy, Mason Maynard shows off his incredible knack for groove and bumping beats in Lookin' At Me. Staying hot and heavy, Cloverdale follow that up with a collaborative EP with Tombz on Country Club Disco. The legendary duo of Booka Shade close out the tech-driven records with two superb singles in their standout style.

Finally we get to the last five records, all of which ought to inspire you to dance. First up, Giraffage offers up some wild power in "Workout." Hoodboi and LEFTI then lean into lush grooves and brilliant bass-lines in the fabulous "4ever." Kiesza continues to reign supreme in 2020 with another spine-tingling slice of pop as we move into "All Of The Feelings." My anticipation for TOPS album I Feel Alive keeps growing as we receive its third single "Colder & Closer," and finally we close with Robotaki's second single of the year, the dynamic and divine "Now That We've Been In Love." Enjoy!


Slooze - Rise

René LaVice - Hollywood (ft. S.P.Y)

Doctor P - Animal Vegetable Mineral, Pt. 2

Todd Terry & Alexander Technique - Jack The Tek

Mason Maynard - Lookin' At Me

Cloverdale & Tombz - Hell Yeah

Booka Shade - Red Medina / Acid Brain

Giraffage - Workout

Hoodboi & LEFTI - 4ever

Kiesza - All Of The Feelings

TOPS - Colder & Closer

Robotaki - Now That We've Been In Love (ft. Pell)

John Summit - Dimension

Just shy of the two year anniversary of the inception of Sinden's Houseline, Chicago-based producer John Summit just released the two track Dimension EP. Sharing not just a part of its title but some of the same sonic DNA as Tiga's "Mind Dimension," the title track is indeed a look into some distant future or alternate reality. Its power is undeniable as the acid tinged and warped synths pulsate with supernova like strength. It is utterly intoxicating as its interstellar atmosphere leaves you both breathless and wobbly, in spite of its reliable house foundation. A peak-time push towards to the floor, this joint is sure to get the whole house moving. Get it, and thumping b-side "Tripz" with Tombz, here.FOLLOW JOHN SUMMMIT: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

FKA twigs - Two Weeks (Tombz Remix)

Last weekend, Milwaukee duo Tombz took on FKA twigs' "Two Weeks," transforming it into a dance-floor dominator. How I missed it I'm not sure, but I've finally found it, and boy am I ready to rock the house with its booming bass. There's no denying the hit that the original is, in large part due to FKA's vocal delivery, but the production quality is on point too. That incredible quality has only been bolstered Tombz, who have truly taken "Two Weeks" to the next level. The new house delivery is like raving in a cave; the sound design is utterly epic. It's cavernous, shaking the walls and your soul alike, as the drop seems to come out of nowhere. It hits with the hardest house tracks of the moment, and could easily be mistaken as a Malaa or Mercer production. When that drop hits there's nothing you can do but dance, and while that may be your favourite bit there's so much more to love. Tombz have reworked the vocals ingeniously, at times used as punctuation, others a full callback to the original. They've tuned twigs to perfection, recasting the original in a way that I truly cannot get enough of. Be sure to pick up the awesomeness for free via ToneDen here, and start your weekend with a thud. FOLLOW TOMBZ: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW FKA TWIGS: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER