We're back again with the latest round of music filling our home offices. After a lite entry at the beginning of May, this month we return to the standard format.
Spain remains in a state of alarm but restaurants and bars are reopening and their capacity is being increased every two weeks, whilst still maintaining social distancing. International travel will not restart until the end of the month, but signs are promising - there are already daily sunset DJ sets at venues such as Hostal La Torre, with prior booking.
Everything is moving in the right direction. The time when we can congregate together on the dance floor is getting closer.
Here's our selection of tracks from last month that we hope will form the soundtrack of summer.
Matt Jam Lamont, Echelon & Yemi | Treat Ting Me | Undagrnd Freq | 15 May
Some genres of music just sound better in the sunshine and garage is most definitely one. Undergoing somewhat of a revival at the moment, UKG has been given a further boost by new label Undagrnd Freq.
The masterminds behind the project are Scott Diaz and the legendary Matt Jam Lamont. The debut EP looks to future stars of the genre. The above collaboration with Yemi is our pick of the bunch and is bubbling with summerfelt energy.
Tommy Farrow | Let's Just | Stress Records | 22 May
Thanks to artists such as Bicep, Franky Wah and Love Regenerator, breakbeat is undergoing a revival. Sheffield lad Tommy Farrow is the latest young talent to embrace the sound. After the impact of his debut EP, we're predicting a bright future. Might he be 2020's breakout star?
Rodriguez Jr | What Is Real | Mobilee Records | 2 May
Another dreamy cut, this time from extracted from Rodriguez Jr's superb new album, Blisss. The Frenchman's long-player takes us on an elecronic odyssey exploring many genres of electronic music but What Is Real, featuring the sensual vocals of Liset Alea, is perfectly suited for a spring afternoon lazing in the sunshine.
Time to lay out the picnic blanket...
Boys Noize | Mvinline | Defected | 29 May
Sampling ‘70s Harlem R&B outfit Black Ivory, Boys Noize provides yet another dose of sunshine. The respected electronic music producer is more accustomed to producing tougher dance music. Here he makes a detour to a funkier vibe on his Defected debut. Could this be the sound of the summer?
Caribou | Never Come Back (Four Tet Remix) | City Slang | 14 May
Like many recording artists, Dan Snaith was full of self-doubt when recording his latest Caribou album. Luckily for him and music fans alike, he was given words of encouragement by his good friend Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet, to complete the project.
It's poetic that Four Tet would now remix one of said album's biggest tracks. On paper, it's the dream hook-up and one that will delight fans of both artists. Four Tet transforms Never Come Back into a dance floor focused riot that manages to honour the original.
Alice Clark | Eclipse | Decay Records | 1 May
Next we have one for the deep tech posse. Alice Clark returns to Decay Records for her latest EP. The release is packed full of rollers fit for intimate dance floors. Alice spends her time between Miami and Ibiza and we can picture this one working on either's underground circuit, once service resumes. We also rate the remix from Game Over favourite iO (Mulen).
Eli & Fur | Fuse (Jan Blomqvist Remix) | Armada | 28 May
Synth master and concert techno one man band Jan Blomqvist lends his talented fingers to Eli & Fur's recent single, Fuse. Even going as far to add his haunting vocals as well, the Berlin artist breaths icy freshness into the track. The finished product feels right at home alongside his back catalogue of material.
To understand the man behind the music, check out our 2019 interview with Jan.
Hot Since 82 | Rise | Saved Records | 15 May
Hot Since 82 has taken time to release an album and reach the 100th release milestone for Knee Deep In Sound in the last year. You might say he's refound his creative streak. Rise is the full package: hypnotic vocals infused over crisp percussion and a trademark breakdown.
His last outing on Saved was 2015's Play The Room, but we reckon this has the potential to be an even bigger anthem in the clubs. Tech house can get a tough time and undeservedly so, in our book. Daley shows, when done well, it can still hit the sweet spot.
Monkey Safari | Safe | Spectrum | 29 May
German duo Monkey Safari return with what already promises to be one of the sunniest anthems of summer 2020. One listen and the blissfully melancholy vocals will be playing around your mind for days to come. Keep your ears open for the truly uplifting remix by Joris Voorn, coming to a socially-distanced nightclub near you soon.
BLANCAh | Vast Blue Sky | Renaissance Records | 8 May
Finally, you'll want to toggle widescreen for our last entry. Since Geoff Oaks reacquired Renaissance, the label has focussed on reimagining classic tracks and presenting them to younger audiences. High-profile remixes from Solomun, Tale Of Us and Maceo Plex followed.
Brazilian talent BLANCAh was the first artist to release original material with last year's ghostly Cold Lights. Now she's back with an entire album. Vast Blue Sky is taken from Arias Of Sky, a gorgeous body of work that uses nature as its inspo. The accompanying claymation promo you can watch above was produced by BLANCAh herself, in her home studio during lockdown. Pretty cool.
We'll be back at the start of July with our highlights from this month.
