London Grammar – Hell To The Liars (Kölsch Remix)

Ok I’m gonna say it … this is a serious contender for best remix of the year!

Danish DJ and producer Kölsch unveiled his latest remix of London Grammar’s ‘Hell To The Liars’.

While the original track is taken from London Grammar’s number 1 sophomore album, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing‘, Kölsch extends upon the original to deliver 12.30 minutes of pure escapism. Keeping Hannah’s haunting vocals intact and intertwining sweeping strings, defined beats, distorted synths and eerie electronic flourishes, Kölsch showcases his talent for producing emotion-induced romantic techno, all the while producing luscious, sonic soundscapes that completely captivate throughout.

With the success of his critically acclaimed album 1977 followed by 1983, Kölsch consistently delivers with tracks such as ‘Grey’, ‘DerDieDas’, ‘Cassiopeia’, ‘Der Alte’ and the recent ’Speicher 97’ EP. Currently signed to iconic German electronic label, Kompakt, Kölsch has an impressive back catalogue of unique remixes, including gems such as Eric Prydz’s ‘Generate’ and Monkey Safari’s ‘Cranes’.

*No word yet on an official release date, but having recently been named as Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune (his 3rd this year alone) and dropping the remix into various sets the past few months, expect to hear a lot more of this epic remix.  In the meantime, you can catch Kölsch during his Hï Ibiza residency this summer, Radio 1 in Ibiza (Aug 4) and Tomorrowland this weekend.  

*Update* Official release date for ‘Hell To The Liars’ is Sept 1.

Tour Dates: Kolsch

Chase & Status – Love Me More ft Emeli Sande

Get ready for some emotion-induced drum ‘n’ bass. In the lead up to their highly anticipated headline performance at Lovebox Festival, Chase & Status unveiled their new single ‘Love Me More’ ft Emeli Sande.

Praised for their unique collaborations such as 2015’s London Bars EP (ft Novelist, Frisco & Giggs), followed by 2016’s collaboration with Slaves on ‘Control’ and ‘This Moment’ with Blossoms, ’Love Me More’ sees Will & Saul team up with Emeli Sande who showcases her captivating and soaring vocals. Speaking with Annie Mac about their collaboration, the production duo commented:

“We’ve had contact since 2014 Culture Clash where she recorded the fantastic dub for us.  We got the right beat and right vibe. It’s classic us and classic Emeli together…It was so easy and effortless.”

Known for their unique ‘UK sound’, rooted in various genres from Dub to Reggae and Garage to Grime,  their forthcoming fourth album Tribe is set for release Aug 18th and is set to feature artists such as Craig David, Bugzy Malone, Kano, Shy FX and MC Rage. Upcoming dates for Chase & Status include a Summer residency at Amnesia in Ibiza, V Festival (Aug 18-20) and Creamfields (Aug 24-27).

Tribe
iTunes
Google Play
Tour

DJ Shadow – Horror Story Ft Danny Brown

American DJ & producer DJ Shadow has teamed up with Michigan rapper Danny Brown for his latest single ‘Horror Story’. Taken from DJ Shadow’s The Mountain Has Fallen EP, ‘Horror Story’ sees innovator Brown rapping loops around an unpredictable beat showcasing his unique lyrical style, while DJ Shadow provides a banging instrumental full of depth and intrigue. Premiering with Annie Mac on Radio 1, DJ Shadow commented on teaming up with Danny Brown saying:

“I like when people are out there a little bit and doing something completely against the grain. If you look at what’s played on the radio and what’s trendy, he goes against that in a way that I admire.”​

The Mountain Has Fallen EP also features collaborations with the likes of Nas and follows 2016’s The Mountain Will Fall EP ft Run The Jewels. Upcoming dates for DJ Shadow include Concorde 2 in Brighton (Aug 15-16) and London’s Roundhouse (Oct 7), while Danny is set to perform at Reading & Leeds (Aug 25-27) and with Run The Jewels at O2 Academy Brixton (Nov 12).

The Mountain Has Fallen EP
iTunes
Google Play
Beatport
Tour: DJ Shadow & Danny Brown

Toddla T – Magnet Ft Andrea Martin

Fresh off the success of ‘Beast’ ft Andrea Martin (as featured in my April Selections), producer/DJ and 1Xtra host Toddla T unveiled his new single ‘Magnet’. Serving as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record, the Sheffield-born producer has once again teamed up with the smooth stylings of Andrea Martin, delivering the perfect blend of soul, R&B and dance, topped off with hypnotic, skittering beats and slick production throughout. 

Speaking with Annie Mac on Radio 1,  Toddla T commented on how the collaboration with Andrea Martin came about:

“I was looking for a vocalist and I called my friend Switch who put me in touch with Andrea Martin. I went in the studio with her, and within a minute I was like ‘this is the lady I want to work with on the  album’… She’s going to voice the record and I’m going to finish it so it was kinda her that inspired me to do the record.”

When it came to producing ‘Magnet’, Toddla was worried he wouldn’t do Andrea’s vocals justice, stating they were ‘too good’. He later followed up with friend and co-producer Chilly Gonzales, who infused some magic while taking ‘Magnet’ to new heights with his vibrant instrumentals:

“I sent him the beat with no music on, and he came back with the most emotive, lush music. I was in the studio having a weep. I put the bass around it, and finally I felt like I did the vocals some justice.

‘Magnet’ is taken from Toddla’s forthcoming third album Foreign Light and follow up to 2012’s Watch Me Dance. Available via his own label imprint Steeze, upcoming dates for Toddla include fabric (Aug 11), House Of Common (Aug 28th) and Bestival (Sept 7). With the success of his Glastonbury Carnival last month, all roads lead to Notting Hill Carnival at the end of August.  

iTunes: Foreign Light
Google Play: Foreign Light
Beatport: Magnet
Tour Dates

Bicep – Aura

Belfast-born duo, Bicep, made up of Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson, unveiled their new single ‘Aura‘.

Taken from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Aura‘ had previously been making the rounds as an unreleased Bicep track with no id. The single serves up a dynamic, synth-filled club track, with varied influence from classic house, techno, electro and Italo disco, yet infused with Bicep’s own unique and experimental flair. 

The talented production duo are music lovers to their their core, having started out as founders of the successful blog Feel My Bicep in 2008. Showcasing obscure electronic gems, guest mixes, as well as their own material, they soon gained an audience of 100,000 visitors a month, before launching their debut release in 2010. Since then, Bicep have gone gone from strength to strength, with a  string of successful EP releases and their 2015 single ‘Just‘ being voted Track of the Year by both Mixmag and DJ Mag.

Their forthcoming self-titled album is set encapsulate their passion for music and club culture over the past decade.  Bicep is set for release September 1st via Ninja Tune, while ‘Aura‘ is available now. Upcoming dates for the duo include Lovebox (July 14-15) and Electric Brixton (Nov 11).

iTunes: Bicep
Google Play: Bicep
Tour Dates

Camelphat & Elderbrook – Cola

Camelphat production duo, made up of Dave Whelan and Mike Di Scala, have joined forces with producer/DJ Elderbrook (aka Alexander Kotz) for their latest single ‘Cola’.

The track premiered with Danny Howard as his Hottest Record on Radio 1, and serves up rich, saturated beats, perfectly complimented by Elderbrook’s tender vocals and ambient beats. With the success of previous singles such as 2015’s ‘Constellations’ and the more recent Deets EP, CamelPhat continually showcase their unique style and skill, firmly placing them into the upper echelons of today’s finest producers. Likewise, Elderbrook has gone from strength to strength with the success of singles ‘You Don’t Know Me Now’, ‘Difficult To Love’ and ‘First Time’. Speaking with Danny Howard on the collaboration with Elderbrook, Dave commented:

“We managed to get Elderbrook in with us just by chance, so spent the morning and got the track down and done in pretty much 2-3 hours.”

‘Cola‘ serves as a departure from Camelphat’s usual tech-house vibes, offering up a more chilled, summery vibe just in time for the Summer season. ‘Cola’ is available now via Defected Records. Upcoming dates for Camelphat include Reading & Leeds and Creamfields (Aug 24-27), while Elderbrook is set to perform at The Echo in LA (June 16)

Beatport: Cola
Tour Dates: Camelphat and  Elderbrook

Chase & Status x Blossoms – This Moment

Praised for their exciting collaborations such as 2015’s London Bars EP (ft Novelist, Frisco, Giggs), followed by 2016’s collaboration with Slaves on ‘Control’, Drum & bass duo Chase & Status, have teamed up with Stockport five-piece, Blossoms.

Known for their unique ‘UK sound’, rooted in various genres from Dub to Reggae and Garage to Grime, Chase & Status continue to showcase their versatility working with the retro, indie-pop stylings of Blossoms. New single ‘This Moment’ delivers a stirring synth-infused track, with rousing vocals from Blossoms frontman, Tom Odgen. The Manchester-based band had an impressive year in 2016 with the release of their eponymous album, featuring singles ‘At Most a Kiss’, ‘Getaway’, ‘My Favourite Room’ and ‘Honey Sweet’, while 2017 sees them touring and working on new material.

‘This Moment’ premiered with MistaJam as his Hottest Record and is available now via Virgin/EMI Records. Chase & Status are set to headline Lovebox Festival (July 14-15), while Blossoms will take to Glastonbury’s Pryamid Stage (June 24)

iTunes: This Moment
Google Play: This Moment
Tour Dates: Chase & Status and Blossoms

Salute – Light Up ft Liv Dawson

20-year-old producer Salute, premiered his euphoric, synth driven single, ‘Light Up’, featuring 18 year old Liv Dawson.

Hailing from Vienna and now residing in Manchester, Salute delivers a vibrant production, filled with glossy synths and Liv’s shimmering, soulful vocals floating effortlessly throughout. ‘Light Up’ is the first new material since the success of 2016’s mini album ‘My Heart’ ft D.R.A.M. Salute showcases his slick production and ability to infuse soulful melodies, with intricate instrumentals. There’s a real sense of joy from ‘Light Up’, with Liv perfectly complementing the sparkling synths throughout.

Surrey singer, Liv Dawson, fresh off the success of previous single, ‘Somewhere Good’, is no stranger to working with talented producers, having collaborated with Guy Lawrence from Disclosure on ‘Open Your Eyes’ as well as teaming up with the brotherly duo for previous single ‘Searching’.

Upcoming dates for Salute include Pop Fest in Austria (July 27-30) while Liv is set to perform at the Disclosure & Rudimental curated festival, Wildlife (June 9-10). ‘Light Up’ is available now via 37 Adventures.

iTunes: Light Up
Google Play: Light Up
Tour Dates: Salute

Friend Within x Kideko – Burnin’ Up

 

Klaxon Alert!!! Liverpudlian producer Lee Mortimer, aka Friend Within, has joined forces with Brighton producer Ryan Hurley, aka Kideko for an absolute banger of a track.

‘Burnin’ Up’ is the perfect collaboration from the two dance producers at the top of their game. The single serves up an energetic throwback to some old school house & garage, sampling Loretta Holloway’s era defining ‘Love Sensation’ amidst pumping baselines and frenzied beats. Friend Within has smashed it with previous singles such as ‘Move Me’, ‘Get Dumb’ and ‘The Mechanism’ with Disclosure, while Kideko is still fresh from the success of his dancehall inspired smash ‘Crank It’ ft Nadia Rose & Sweetie Irie.

‘Burnin’ Up’ is available now via Insanity Records. Upcoming dates for Friend Within include Fabric (June 2) while Kideko is set to perform at Wildlife Festival (June 9-10)

iTunes: Burnin’ Up
Google Play: Burnin’ Up
Tour Dates Friend Within and Kideko

Chase & Status – Control ft Slaves

Chase & Status (Saul Milton and Will Kennard) have teamed up with punk duo Slaves (Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent) for their new single ‘Control’. The single premiered with Annie Mac as her Hottest Record (Feb 23) where Saul commented on the unique and exciting collaboration:

“We were big fans (of Slaves) for a long time. Their album was one of the most important records of last year. What they represent – the anarchy, the whole punk scene; reminds me of exciting times when music was really anti establishment. These guys are at the forefront. I felt we could do something exciting and I think we have.”

Known for their unique ‘UK sound’, rooted in various genres from Dub to Reggae and Garage to Grime, Chase &  Status continue to showcase their versatility working with the infectious punk-rock stylings of Slaves. It’s abrasive, loud, rocky, anarchic, packed with energy and heavy bass-filled drops – everything you’d hope to expect from such a collaboration.

Having released their Grime inspired London Bars EP just before Christmas, Chase and Status are currently working on their forthcoming fourth studio album due later this year. (Release date TBC) Upcoming performances include Radio 1’s Big Weekend. (May 28-29)

Slaves had an impressive year in 2015 with the release of their Mercury nominated debut album “Are You Satisfied’, featuring singles ‘The Hunter’, ‘Cheer Up London’ and their incredible cover of Skepta’s ‘Shutdown’. Slaves are set to join Wolf Alice on the US leg of their tour this April as well as performing at Snowbombing in Austria (April 4-9)

‘Control’ is available now via Mercury Records. Check out the video below: