September: The 20 best electronic tracks this month
Words: Andrew Moore
September. The leaves are changing colour, your winter coat is looking more and more attractive and the kids are back at school… and, on top of that, some absolutely beautiful electronic music has been released.
From late-night trips through Detroit, to emergency comedown scores and South Korean drill from a mystery producer these picks are sure to warm you up as the temperature begins to plummet.
Ash Lauryn – Dancin In The D
Nothing but vibes from Detroit 2 Atlanta artist Ash Lauryn as she takes us on a night-time journey through the city she calls home.
Proc Fiskal – Convaerge Iana [Hyperdub]
Edinburgh producer Prok Fiskal’s latest album is a triumph. Uniting the worlds of Celtic & Scottish folk with grime and footwork experimentation, ‘Convaerge Iana’ feels like a big, anxious hug.
Tom VR – October [allmythoughts]
Man of the moment Tom VR on a jungle tip? Yes please. Listen to the whole record, you won’t regret it.
Air Max 97 – Eat The Rich [Timedance]
A track and title that we can get behind; mind-bending electronics from Air Max 97 on Batu’s label.
Playboi Carti – Kid Cudi [Sinjin Hawke Bootleg]
Created for Sinjin Hawke and Zora Jones’ virtual club ‘Virtua’, Playboi Carti’s ‘Kid Cudi’ gets the Fractal Fantasy bootleg treatment, and it bangs.
JQ – Nothing Seems Real – [BOXEDLDN]
The last ever BOXEDLDN compilation arrived in September, correlating with the experimental collective’s last ever party at Corsica Studios. JQ’s sparse and threatening ‘Nothing Seems Really’ is the pick of the bunch – those WUBS.
Y U QT ft Logan – Like Dat [South London Pressings]
Y U QT on Riz La Teef’s South London Pressings is a match made in heaven. The lads enlisted North West London’s Logan for ‘Like Dat’, and it’s a dangerous link up.
Eris Drew – Quivering In Time [T4T LUV NRG]
Turntable wizard Eris Drew’s debut album is finally arriving on the label she runs with partner Octa Octa and we can’t wait! ‘Quivering in Time’ manifests odes to psychedelics and emotional, hard-dancing inspo on this sneak-peek ahead of the record’s full release in October.
DJ Seinfeld & Stella Explorer [Ninja Tune] – She Loves Me
Seinfeld is back, and he’s doing what he does best on this beautiful cut of emotional 2-step. It’s the first track on the album and we’re already holding back tears.
Ayesha – Ecstatic Descent [Scuffed Recordings]
Hefty breaks and polyrhythmic wobbles as Ayesha arrives on the Ian DPM headed Scuffed Recordings label. You may have heard a track from the same EP during Yung Singh’s legendary Boiler Room as part of the Daytimers takeover. Certainly one to watch.
Fio Fa – U Drink, U Pay [Pear]
Dublin’s Pear label have become synonymous with quality dance music, and this one from label co-founder Fio Fa is no exception; Proggy, techy goodness that just screams FUN.
DJ 소맥 – 드릴 세션 1 – 집에 가고 싶다 [Il Padrino Records]
South Korean drill from a mystery producer. Emo-tinged basslines for cold nights, be sure to check out the rest of the label too.
Disclosure – Observer Effect [!K7 Records] –
The Disclosure guys may have become more familiar within the mainstream circuit, but that doesn’t mean their underground spirit has diminished. Their forthcoming DJ Kicks compilation has been described as what you might hear the duo play at a sweaty night in Brixton, and if ‘Observer Effect’ is anything to come by we’re here for it.
Den Haas – Dance Tip [Outright]
Don’t listen to this if you’re trying to be good and sit in for the weekend. We’ve tried, it doesn’t work.
Finn – Getting Off (It’s So Good) [Local Action]
Finn has never put out a bad record. Come to think of it, neither have Local Action, so you know this is going to be good. Slow, dubby realness delivered in the 2 B Real founders signature style.
Yoru – Yeah (Cartin Remix) [Rudimentary Records]
Derry’s Cartin made his Boiler Room debut at this year’s edition of AVA Festival, signposting the young producer as the next Irish artist to potentially breakthrough from the North. This remix of Yoru’s Yeah – arriving on Belfast label Rudimentary Records – is a huge tip and showcases the artist fine-tuning his percussive aesthetic.
Zeez – Pretty Hands [Black Marble Collective]
Burial-esque 2-step, pitched vocals and orchestral chanting? Sign us up.
Boys Noize & ABRA – Affection
Awful Records associated artist Abra has always maintained a dance music tinge to her sound (see ROSE for more details). This link up with German producer Boys Noize has all the makings of an electro classic.
Fluid Haunts – Aotearoa Vibin [Kaitiaki Records]
Belfast bred, Auckland based producer Fluid Haunts brings his jungle energy to Kaitiaki Records with his oxymoronic style of melody and bass. Atmospheric breaks that pack a punch.
Rhucle – アヒルと木 [ROHS! Records]
Chirpsing birds, gentle streams and dreamscape textures for emergency use in a comedown emergency.
