Being that 8 March was International Women's Day, this month we're dedicating most of our slots to female artists. This isn't a political statement. Our monthly chart is too often top heavy with male artists.
A recent survey by MIDiA Research revealed that amongst 401 women in music, 81% felt their gender made it harder to get recognition than their male counterparts. Two-thirds of responders identified sexual harassment and objectification as a key challenge within the industry.
These findings fall in line with the work of International Music Summit and partner shesaid.so.
Full analysis can be read here.
With clubbing and events undergoing a forced reset, we hope to see more balanced line-ups on Ibiza and worldwide once we restart. Now, let's get down to the music.
Hannah Wants | Oh Really | Armada Music | 5 March
Our first leading lady is the irrepressible Hannah Wants.
Hannah's social media followers recently witnessed her escape to Ibiza. She made the post-Christmas trip south through mainland Europe, with her faithful companion Ivor. The pair are now settled here and we welcome them to island life. Watch her latest stream from Ibiza here.
Ms. Wants is promising an avalanche of new music in the coming months, while this dance floor focussed track was produced pre-lockdown.
Maxinne feat Lauren L'aimant | Tell Me Something | Toolroom Records | 5 March
Another talent who hasn't taken her foot off the peddle is Maxinne.
Here the Toolroom resident appears alongside vocalist Lauren L'aimant for a deep cut. There's melancholic synths counter balanced by undeniable groove, woven together by tight production and Lauren's bittersweet voice.
Sofia Kourtesis | La Perla | Technicolour | 19 March
Next, we can't get enough of this earworm from Sofia Kourtesis. It's the stand out track from the mesmerising Fresia Magdalena EP. The Berlin-based South American is another artist who we've become obsessed with since seeing her perform at HEART Ibiza.
La Perla is out now on Ninja Tune sister label Technicolour.
Mollie Collins feat Ruth Royall | Remedies | UKF | 8 March
Piano Queen Mollie Collins steps away from her Right Good Records and through the door of bass enthusiasts UKF. She has a new collaborator in Ruth Royall, but the execution is what we have come to expect from Mollie.
A track that proves drum & bass can be delicate and heartfelt, as well as rowdy and riotous.
Want to see Mollie play to a room full of avatars in a virtual club? Of course you do! Watch here.
Juliet Fox | Find Myself | TREGAMBE | 19 March
You will have heard her music sounding right at home on the likes of Drumcode and Filth On Acid. Now Aussie export Juliet Fox has a new outlet for her productions. The second release from Juliet's new label, TREGAMBE, follows in the same vein as the first: pumping.
The multi-talented label owner even designs the artwork. Find Myself is reserved for peak time.
Claptone | Zero | Different | 19 March
International man of mystery Claptone is back with new music.
With its playful vocal and illuminating crescendo, Zero is a summer anthem in the making. The masked one has just announced a headline London show for the autumn. When will we next see him materialise on Ibiza shores?
Trance Wax | Rayna (Shanti Celeste Remix) | Anjunabeats | 24 March
Combining modern breaks with trance nostalgia, Trance Wax's self-titled album made big fans of us. Now official remixes are starting to roll in. The first rework is by Chilean tastemaker Shanti Celeste, with this dreamy take on Rayna. A full remix album arrives later in the year.
Boon & Josh Arise feat Eddie Cane | All Eyes On Me | Quantize Records | 12 March
Familiar faces at poolside hang-out HotBed, producer Boon and saxophonist Josh Arise combine on this smooth delight.
Landing on Quantize Recordings, All Eyes On Me comes with two remixes from the boss DJ Spen. In other news, HotBed confirmed its return to Wednesdays at O Beach with the newly official HotBed Soundsystem.
Nicole Moudaber | The Volume | MOOD | 12 February
Channelling club nostalgia, Nicole Moudaber returns to her own MOOD imprint. Here she enlists the services of Alan T, who was a personality working the doors of Miami venues, most notably Club Space. The track is a love letter to the dance floor and the industry.
We hear you, Nicole. Turn up the volume.
Origin Of X | Ports | The House Works | 1 March
Lastly, we come to Origin Of X's atmospheric Ports. It gives us vibes of looking out to sea as we wait for the last ferry back at La Savina. Luxury yachts sway calmly as darkness envelops, and our mind turns to nocturnal activities after nightfall. A slow burner as the dance floor calls.
The equally brooding New Beginnings is lined-up and primed as the follow up.
Enjoy these? Then check out our Spotify channel for more great music.
We'll be back next month with the best releases from April.
