As much as we wish we did, most of us don’t have the time to spend countless hours trawling for new music. With the sheer volume of it released on a daily basis, some great tracks fly under the radar. Crate Digging is a monthly roundup of top-tier tunes you might have missed from across the electronic music spectrum. From obscurities uncovered during trips down Bandcamp rabbit holes to the latest releases from legendary artists, Crate Digging is here to keep your collection up to date.
1. The People In Fog – Less Is More (Satoshi Tomiie Remix) [Sound Of Vast]
One Japanese legend remixes another, with Satoshi Tomiie delivering a stripped-down, dubby interpretation of “Less Is More” by The People In Fog that floats gently through washed-out chords, organic drums, and subtle bass pulses.
2. Rookley – Parasite [AIMEND]
Channeling the anxiety, isolation, and frustration of the last couple of years into his music, Rookley goes dark and visceral with this half-time stomper. Combining thunderous drums with distorted bass stabs and chaotic sample manipulation, the Italy-via-Berlin producer creates a grimy, crunchy rhythm for big sound systems.
3. Ben Sims – Solicitude [Standard Deviation]
Ben Sims demonstrates once again why he is the master of tough, groovy techno with this funky, thumping cut taken from a huge compilation raising money for Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion.
4. Monophonik – Tides [Qilla Records]
This is the sort of experimentation that makes electronic music so exciting. “Tides” by Monophonik is a wild, chaotic mix of elements from jungle, braindance, and electronica that skillfully manages to be both abrasive and uplifting at the same time.
5. Dedman – Idle Hands [//DarkMode]
Bristol’s Dedman makes his debut on //DarkMode with a sludgy, percussive dubstep rhythm that is perfect for the heads-down, hoodies-up crew.
6. Local Suicide & Skelesys – Weird Encounters (Anatolian Weapons Remix) [Samo Records]
Samo Records celebrates their tenth release and fifth anniversary with a dark, pulsing industrial/EBM workout that features a tripped-out monologue from Skelesys, crunchy drums, and overdriven sub bass.
7. Clint – Alpine Breaks [Slowciety]
Contemporary progressive house artists are fondly revisiting the higher tempos, psychedelic atmospheres, and — most importantly — fun vibes of the ’90s iteration of the genre, and Clint is at the head of the class. The charming blend of driving low end, classic synth sounds, and warm atmospherics makes “Alpine Breaks” a quintessential peak-time cut.
8. Yard One – Iridescence [Tact Recordings]
Balancing drive and energy with warmth and subtlety can be a challenge, but “Iridescence” is what it sounds like when that’s done right. Tough, punchy drums and a big analogue bass line create an energetic low-end groove, while bit-crushed chords, lush strings, and assorted blips and bloops float gently by.
9. Basic Biology – 10 PM [Free Love Digi]
Basic Biology explores the fringes of liquid drum and bass, cross-pollinating it with a darker take on the synthwave aesthetic to create an expansive, growling half-time monster.
10. Mister Joshooa & Jeremy Kypta – Shampoo Dub [Infolines]
Detroit-based label Infolines sticks to its ethos of supporting local talent and giving them the freedom to experiment, often with unique, memorable results. “Shampoo Dub” by Mister Joshooa and Jeremy Krypta is Detroit-influenced deep house at its core, but it’s wrapped in a quirky, off-kilter package of tight, robotic drums, washed-out dub sequences, and a monologue about giving a haircut.
