Searching for new music takes time, something which seems to be in shorter and shorter supply these days for many of us. Given the sheer amount of releases that grace the internet on a daily basis, occasionally great tracks are bound to 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. Ludwig A.F. – Sequoia [Exo Recordings International]
Taken from Ludwig A.F.‘s debut album Air, “Sequoia” is a subtle, atmospheric soundscape. Warm, spacious pads and fluttering chords wash over a tight, rolling breakbeat with a touch of acid added at just the right moments.
2. Subradeon – Break That Pattern [Rekids Special Projects]
Berlin-based duo Subradeon debut on the Rekids offshoot with a tough, melodic techno jam. It tastefully gives a nod to genre’s history in Detroit while simultaneously injecting the sharp sound design and crisp production of modern techno. With its trippy effects, uplifting chord progression, and punchy drums, “Break That Pattern” is a peak-time thumper with soul.
3. Gideön – It Does Not Burn [Homo-Centric Records]
Dedicated to the memory of Detroit legend Aaron Carl, “It Does Not Burn” is a highlight from the first release on Gideön‘s freshly-minted label. Carl would definitely approve of this chunky, funky acid house cut that blends punchy drums, soulful vocal samples, and a bouncy TB-303 bass line.
4. Pyrame – Oettam Is Born (Arnaud Rebotini Remix) [Thisbe Recordings]
Don’t let the low BPMs fool you, this is uplifting, peak-time music at its finest. “Oettam Is Born” is a delightful, sparkling ode to Pyrame‘s newborn son. It’s given a tougher, more experimental edge by Blackstrobe‘s Arnaud Rebotini without losing its glittering, melodic charm.
5. Andrey Sirotkin – Dusk [Default Position]
Ukrainian producer Andrey Sirotkin bucks the trend of ultra-banging techno currently dominating his home country with “Dusk,” a deep, hypnotic trip that rewards patient listeners. Heavily reverbed acid squelches, psychedelic synth stabs, and crisp, syncopated percussion weave around one another with precision to create an immersive groove.
6. QphoriQ – Mesh [Science Cult]
This is wibbly-wobbly, wonkified electro-meets-IDM with bucketloads of funk. “Mesh” sees QphoriQ testing the limits of sound design and effects manipulation over a bed crunchy, mechanical drums and thunderous bass to devastating effect.
7. Your Planet Is Next – Feel The Rhythm [Red Curls]
Although he’s based in Stockholm, you’ve be forgiven for thinking Your Planet Is Next is a Chicago native, and that “Feel The Rhythm” is a hitherto uncovered slice of late ’80s warehouse-ready acid house that never got released. From its chopped-up vocal samples, deadly acid line, and jacking drums to its intentionally lo-fi mastering, this is as close as you’re going to get to being on the dance floor at the Muzic Box.
8. Yuu Udagawa – Mojito [Cyphon]
“Mojito” showcases Japanese producer Yuu Udagawa‘s ability to balance elegance and sophistication with raw, dance floor-ready grit. Bright, meandering melodies and jazz-tinged chords float above dusty drums and bumping bass stabs, evoking memories of deep house legends such as Ron Trent and Chez Damier.
9. Aural Imbalance – Cosmic Voices [Spatial]
Lush, meditative drum and bass that makes excellent use of space and atmosphere, “Cosmic Voices” is Aural Imbalance in his element. A tight, shuffly break keeps the track moving at a steady pace, while evolving pads, plucky strings, and sparse bass notes add warmth and color.
10. Sun People – Overtoom [Defrostatica]
Sun People continues his cross-pollination of genres on “Overtoom,” this time blending precise, high-speed breakbeat minimalism with footwork vocal chops and bleepy jungle techno synths. This one will definitely be a winner on more open-minded dance floors.
