Best New Mixes from April 2020
In the past two months, we’ve all been trying to make the best of ‘stay at home’ reality. Some have started new hobbies, some have watched all of Netflix, some are doing virtual parties. Countless live streams of DJs performing are overflowing social media feeds, some of which are exceptionally good, and some… well, not that good. The same goes for mixes hosted on SoundCloud. These are the mixes that kept us sane throughout April. There’s a fair share of ambient and mixtapes that are more suitable for home listening (I wonder why is that the case?), but don’t think that party is over. Party will never stop! Recordings from the festivals and clubs around the world will turn your sanctuary into a dance floor almost instantly.
Dorisburg - Smoke Machine Podcast 134
How should I start this? The mix of the year so far? I won’t be far off. The recording of Dorisburg’s set from the Organic Festival in Taiwan was published a few weeks ago as an exclusive for Smoke Machine’s podcast series. Almost 4 hours long, this mix has immaculate build-up, deep, dark, and dubby vibes. Dorisburg’s talent for flawless mixing and impeccable track selection shines in the best light throughout the mix.
Laura BCR - Campfire Stories 86
In the last couple of months, I’ve been listening to Laura’s radio show on Rinse FM regularly and loving both hers and her guest’s mixes. While those mixes are 1hr long, they can serve as a great tool to introduce some new music, bring back forgotten tunes, but hardly can a DJ ‘tell a story’ in 60min. That’s why you make mixes like this one and take your time, build the journey at your own pace. ‘Campfire Stories’ is a beautiful podcast series by Canadian based record label Silent Season, where the focus of the series is on storytelling through deeper electronic music. Laura grabbed this opportunity with both hands and delivered the timeless mix of ambient and deep atmospheric techno. I’ve listened to it several times already. Well done, Laura.
Lawrence - Affair 001
Compilations like this back up my theory that it’s better to listen to a DJ playing exceptional tracks in full and not mixing them than flawless mixing of boring music. Of course, a combination of the two is a way to go, but in this case, Lawrence’s picks do wonders without being mixed in together. ‘Affair 01’, the first mix in Zarabat mix series, features tracks by Afriqua, Leafar Legov, Lake People, and Soela, just to name a few.
Lord Of The Isles - IA MIX 330
Edinburgh-based Neil McDonald, better known as Lord Of The Isles, has been one of my favorite artists in the past decade. Still, for whatever reason, I didn’t have a chance to hear many DJ mixes of his. The mix he made for IA hits all the right spots for me. The track selection is on point, transitions are executed thoughtfully, and most importantly, there’s a story full of twists and turns.
Heap & Bocksrucker - Neubau Radio show @ The Lot Radio 04.13.2020
I enjoyed this mix tremendously. It was broadcasted on The Lot Radio right around my ‘coffee time’ here in Brooklyn, and boy, it went well with that fresh Burundi drip. Neubau founders, two Florians, Heap, and Bocksrucker, have become some of my favorite DJs in the past year or so. Their crate-digging skills are impressive, and it’s always such a pleasure to listen to their obscure findings. Do you want to hear something you most likely never heard before? Then you’re in the right place.
Steve Duncan & Jesse Niemelä - Third Contemplation (Clarity & Composure)
What an absolute beauty of the mix this is. Steve Duncan, the mastermind behind one of our favorite mix series - Patterns of Perception, has been making ‘Contemplation’ mixes alongside his friend Jesse Niemelä for three years.
This mix is the third installment in the series, and it’s evident that the duo concentrates more on quality than quantity. As per the description from their Soundcloud page - ‘with Contemplations, Steve and Jesse examine the interplay and contrast between two disparate themes. Both a solo and group project, Contemplations allows the duo to explore these themes individually before coming together to merge their interpretations into one body of work.’
K-Lone - Bleep Mix #112
In light of the release of his phenomenal album ‘Cape Cira’ released via Wisdom Teeth a few days ago, K-Lone made this exclusive mix for German platform Bleep. I enjoyed listening to this mix quite a lot; it’s not a party mix, but rather something you can listen to over and over in a car (tested 🙂) or at home.
Luke Slater - Berghain Fünfzehn
Is it lame if I start this write up with - WOW! Luke Slater was a significant influence in my early years in electronic music. It’s such a pleasure to see that one of the pioneers of electronic music still has aces up his sleeve to push boundaries of the genre he defined almost 30 years ago. The latest mix in Ostgut Ton’s ‘Berghain Series’, named Fünfzehn, covers the past 15 years of techno music packed in this mind-bending 2hr mix by the one and only Luke Slater. You can skip ’Netflix night’ tonight, do some techno instead. It's worth it!
Map.ache - live at Waking Life 2019
This mix made my week. KANN’s own and Giegling affiliate, map.ache with his live set from Waking Life festival brought back all the happy memories from parties in 2019. There’s something special in map.ache’s music that connects joyful and melancholic emotions, something that makes tears of joy run down your cheeks. You don’t get to hear a 2-hour map.ache set that often online, so brace yourself; you’ll want to party after listening to this mix.
Pangaea - Rinse FM April 2020
Are you in a mood for some house music extravaganza? Pangaea’s got you covered. One of the co-founders of Hessle Audio brings some lovely house vibes to his Rinse FM radio show. Around the 45min mark and right after legendary Key Tronics Ensemble's Calypso Of House, Pangaea makes a little detour and finishes this mix with a marvelous ambient outro. Much needed feel-good vibes!
Vand - MNMT 252
Here’s to another gem to Monument’s podcast series! The platform that has become synonymous with quality deep techno welcomes one of our favorite artists hailing from Amsterdam, Vand. Vand took this opportunity to present what his world is all about and delivered this crème de la crème deep techno voyage.
XDB - Voitax mix 042
One of the best Greek techno DJs/producers of all time IMO, XDB brings some fire with his latest mix for Berlin-based platform Voitax. XDB doesn’t stick to one genre but instead takes a listener for a ride through techno, breaks, garage, and deep house. Who knows, knows.
SO - Dreamscape 2020
A beautiful atmospheric ambient mix from one of the long time residents of the Labyrinth festival in Japan, SO. During his 17 year-long Labyrinth residency, SO has become the epitome of the festival and internationally recognized as one of the most talented ambient techno artists hailing from Japan.
Molly - The Ransom Note Mix
RDV Records label boss, Molly, mixed the latest edition of Ransom Note’s mix series. Starting with cult track Xtal by Aphex Twin, Molly sets up quite a mood for what will later unfold into a delightful house music journey. The journey that goes through deep, acid, and micro-house just to wrap it up with the marvelous breakbeat Goodbye by Rising Sun.
Efdemin - recorded live at Kompass
There doesn’t need to be any special intro about Efdemin, one of the finest German producers in the last two decades. With a string of releases on labels such as Dial, Curle, and Ostgut Ton, Efdemin has built a discography that anyone could be proud of. But Efdemin is more than just a talented producer in the studio; he’s one badass DJ as well. Feeling some club nostalgia while staying at home? This mix recorded live at Kompass club in Ghent is your ’techno-fix’.
Efraim Kent - Inveins podcast 063
Hypnus Records and Tikita affiliate and yet another incredible talent hailing from Sweden, Efraim Kent brings an atmospheric techno delight with his latest mix for the Inveins podcast series. Even though it’s a little less than 1hr long, Efraim manages to create a journey that feels neither rushed nor cut short.
Vladimir Ivkovic - Test Pressing 500
This mix was initially made as a 500th episode of the Test Pressing podcast back in November. Still, only recently, it became available on SoundCloud, so here we are. Vladimir Ivkovic does what he does the best, tells a story with obscure music that takes you places you didn't know existed. A few words from Vladimir about the mix: 'The mix is a recording from a place/state of being slightly worn out. I actually like such places where I can’t be bothered with putting some energy in keeping up with rationality or keeping some kind of guard up. In such states I like to listen to music, record it, and trying to figure out the next day what it all means. There is no theme or preconception. This was recorded in the night 12.11./13.11.2019 in one take. Next day I figured out that it was full moon, 15 years of John Balance’s death, probably the night when something subconscious had to get out… So it’s the 5th in the series of Lunatic Love Songs recordings'
The Drifter - A Reflective Drift 092
This mix is a lovely drift away from the Drift Cast series in the shape of ‘A Reflective Drift’ mix by The Drifter 🙂. Yoga, ‘me time,’ morning coffee, you just need to pick the setting, this mix is a true serenity, and it’ll suit you well.
Powder & 5ive - Passing it Clockwise
Powder and 5ive joined forces and made this lovely mix, a perfect home listening. From ambient to experimental to IDM to downtempo and everything in between.Get cozy and press play.
Epidemiological Romanticism - KANNMIX 34
The latest episode of KANNMIX series is a mixtape by Epidemiological Romanticism featuring tracks by Tricky, Vivian Koch, Aphex Twin, and Kann’s own Innere Tueren. Essential daytime listening.