Whether you’re a casual listener, a hardcore music nerd, or somewhere in between, the sheer volume of new music released on a daily basis means some gems will invariably pass you by. 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. Sven Von Thülen – Body Music (Shed Remix) [Work Them Records]
Berlin mainstay Shed remixes Sven Von Thülen‘s”Body Music,” turning the classy, house-leaning original into a sleek, thumping techno groove with just the right amount of dusty warmth.
2. DFDB – Rhythmascend 002 (William Arist Remix) [After Us]
William Arist adds a dash of funk and energy to “Rhythmascend 002,” taking DFDB‘s deep, hypnotic dub techno original into warmer, groovier territory.
3. Acid Lab – Steppa Dub [Silent Force Recordings]
“Steppa Dub” is intricate, intelligent jungle from Acid Lab, who once again demonstrates his proficiency with chopping up classic breaks, creating massive sub bass rhythms, and sourcing rare vocal samples.
4. Lurka – Sick Flips [Make Your Own Meaning]
Rolling, quirky breakbeat from Bristolian bass experimentalist Lurka. “Sick Flips” balances gnarly effects and otherworldly sound design with tight, rolling drums and bouncy low end.
5. Stroef – The Pits [Diffuse Reality Records]
A clever blend of the propulsive rhythms of hardgroove techno and the melodic sensibility of early Detroit, “The Pits” perfectly encapsulates Stroef‘s unique take on the genre.
6. Lee Holman – Autumn Leaves Fall [KSR]
Lee Holman continues his incredible run of releases in 2023 with “Autumn Leaves Fall.” Dark chord sequences dart between cascading sine wave sequences, punchy kicks, and tight percussion.
7. Bartoli – Sōchō [Common Ancestors]
Bartoli fuses deep, dubby soundscapes, spacious atmospheres, and dark, psychedelic effects for maximum rhythmic effect on “Sōchō.”
8. snaeb – 1uppp [Geotact Records]
Hazy, delicate melodies collide with razor-sharp, twitchy technoid rhythms on this highlight from snaeb‘s debut EP.
9. Sun People – danger of ambition [Guides]
“Less is more” is the motto here, as Sun People pays tribute to the minimalist approach of composers such as Mark Fell. Only a handful of elements are used in “danger of ambition,” and yet it manages to touch on numerous genres, including footwork, ambient, and autonomic drum and bass.
10. Groove Boys Project & Novaj – Amore [Skylax Records]
A delightful slice of deep house from Groove Boys Project and Novaj that will pass muster with even the most hardened purists of the genre. Sparkling, catchy melodies reminiscent of early Italian dream house float above punchy, shuffling drums and a warm analogue bass line.
11. Emotional Dials Feat. James Knight – Force Majeur (Sax Mix) [Sound Identity]
“Force Majeur (Sax Mix)” sees jungle techno pioneer Ron Wells donning his Emotional Dials alias for a raucous, peak-time acid-house-meets-breakbeat jam featuring a wailing sax solo from James Knight.
