10 songs you should hear right now…
1. Daniel Avery – ‘Naive Response’
A towering debut of anthemic dance music from London producer is this week’s album of the week. It’s hard to get away from the brilliance of the title track ‘Drone Logic’ but ‘Naive Response’ also comes close. Positively robotic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsAVOjhi_-4
2. Mano Le Tough – ‘Please’ (New Jackson Remix)
In light of last week’s debut of ‘Of A Thousand Leaves’ by David Kitt aka New Jackson, I delved back into this fine remix by DK of fellow islander and international electronic producer Mano Le Tough.
3. Lethal Dialect – ‘School Dayz Are Over’
Hopeful, nostalgic and cinematic track from the Dublin rapper who is poised through his sheer talent to breakout. This is Irish rap to be proud about on our own terms. Roll on the album 1988.
4. Planningtorock – ‘Human Drama’
It’s Marmite stuff for sure but I’ve got a soft spot for Janine Rostrom’s weirdness. On ‘Human Drama’, she tackles her dominant subject: gender. “Gimme a human drama / And understand that gender’s just a game.” It’s from her new album All Love’s Legal out in February.
5. Ellie Goulding – ‘How Long Will I Love You’ (EMBRZ remix)
Dublin’s Jack Casey’s deeply-felt electronica transcends the remix format as EMBRZ takes on Ellie Goulding’s new single.
6. Cut Copy – ‘Free Your Mind’
I’m generally disappointed with Cut Copy’s new album Free Your Mind but this track has all their best bits: euphoria, house moves, old-school samples and a catchy psychedelic hook.
7. Sam Smith, Nile Rodgers, Disclosure & Jimmy Napes – ‘Together’
Not content with conquering two Irish gigs last week, Disclosure have dropped a new smooth synth-funk collaboration with Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes and some guy called Nile Rodgers? Never heard of him.
8. Erol Alkan – ‘A Hold On Love’
He’s been a superstar DJ for nearly 20 years now but in December, Mr Alkan releases his debut solo EP Illumination on his label Phantasy Sound (home to this week’s album of the week too) and ‘A Hold On Love’ has the stripes of a classic dance buildup in the vein of Simian Mobile Disco. It’s just missing a vocal from Beth Ditto.
9. Jamie xx – ‘Untitled’
An unreleased cut ripped Jamie xx’s Live at RBMA’s Night + Day Berlin mix. Warm and emotionally resonant electronica is what Jamie does best.
10. Majical Cloudz – ‘Savage’
The duo’s Impersonator is one of the year’s brittle best album, offers confessional poetic sincerity set to serene and warm arrangements. This is an off-cut, played live and equally as beguiling as the material on their second album.
Tracks of the Week playlist with bonus tracks
