Picks Of The Week (30.05.20

1. Various Artists - Galacy - Identities II [Galacy Records]

Recommended if you like: Nelver, Monrroe, Telomic, Humanature, Macca

Man, compilation albums are the best. Especially from labels with such an consistently high quality level as Galacy, the sister label to the Amsterdam-based behemoth Liquicity.

Identities II is the newest big milestone of the label that set its main focus on the dreamy part of drum and bass. You know, those kind of tracks that make you feel like you're floating away. The goosebumps kind. It's also a label that doesn't shy away from the heavier parts of the genre, Oakwite's release on it is probably the best example of that. Point is, I really like Galacy. And even though my expectations for this compilation were pretty high because of that, they somehow managed to exceed them.

It's one of those compilations where I struggle to rank the tunes on it, because they're all great in their own way. We've got absolute vibey beauties provided by the likes of Nelver (twice!), Aperio, Colossus, HumaNature, Macca, Hiraeth, Monrroe & Telomic, Surreal and last but not least the Zombie Cats. I'm so glad to live in a timeline where I can include Zombie Cats in a sentence like that. Those lovely productions are paired with stunning vocal performances from Anastasia, Ida and Emily Markis to form a package of tunes that might just make you cry from the sheer beauty of it. If you are searching for more of a darker vibe, you'll want to check out Differential label boss Dustkey, just-turned-18 prodigy Leniz, funky duck vibes by Low:r and the oldschool sounds of BCee. A bit unreleated, but the best vocal sample award would have to go to Sili, that BABABABABAP never fails to cheer me up. And finally, the compilation closes on Air.K & Cephei's Remix of Edlan's Saving You. Guaranteed goosebumps. I don't know how else to describe this absolute anthem of a tune.

P.S. For those that are craving even more liquid vibes, there's also the Liquid Drum & Bass 4 Autism presents: Redefining The Spectrum compilation with 42 (!) lovely tunes. Good stuff.

2. Technimatic, A Little Sound - Lakota [UKF]

Recommended if you like: Hybrid Minds, Deadline, Vocal-focused tracks

Sometimes a tune doesn't immediately click with me for some reason, but somehow ends up being my most played tune of the week. This is one of those. I'm loving every second of it. I'm probably listening to it right now while you're reading this.

Technimatic' Lakota, named after and dedicated to the legendary club in Bristol that is sadly supposed to be closed in the next few years, is the first installation of UKF's 2020 series of releases. Fittingly, they recruited the amazing voice of Bristol-based A Little Sound, who you might recognize from Kanine's recent releases or her incredible covers on YouTube. I know recency bias might cloud my judgement a bit here, but this might be my favorite vocal performance of the year. You'd be crazy not to see how great this tune is.

After this stunning first entry and the amazing UKF10 compilation last year I can't tell you how excited I am for the rest of this series.

3. Various Artists - Constellations - Ursa Major [Diascope]

Recommended if you like: Rohaan, Disphonia, DLR

You should know by now that I love compilations that give a spotlight to lesser-known artists. I feel like I have one of those in here every week. So it shouldn't surprise you that I would include Diascope's first Constellations EP.

Founded in 2019 by the german Neurofunk wizards Neonlight, Diascope has mostly been the home for their recent Remaster's series and singles, apart from two releases by Ripple and Manta. However, for this compilation Neonlight has reached out across the entire European continent, bringing together five of some of the most promising producers out there. When you hear "Neonlight's label", you might expect pure Neurofunk madness on all releases. This compilation should prove that wrong.

The opening track "Silo" by the icelandic Balatron just oozes atmosphere that progressively builds itself up to a super-satisfying conclusion. Belarus-based Neurofunk Madman Abstractonia follows this up with some Gydra vibes on Arachnophobia. Don't worry, you won't hear any spiders in there. We continue our excursion to Eastern Europe with the DLR-like Wubs on Shadowline by Krot from Russia, which is probably not something you'd expect from the usually more liquidy producer, but not the first time he has diverged into the heavier sound territory. Bobby continues the heavy theme on The Elephant, which is not as foghorny as it sounds, promise. And finally we have Lift's Ease, which reminds me a lot of Rohaan's latest tunes, in the best way possible. Sadly I couldn't find a lot of information on Lift as this is apparently also his first track ever, but if he keeps that quality up we will probably soon here a lot more from him.

4. PRFCT Mandem - Formation EP [Korsakov Music]

Recommended if you like: I really struggle to categorise this one, really unique sound. A good friend said it sounded like "bunch of animals having an orgy", sooo make of that what you will.

There are few stories that are as inspiring and feel-good as the one of PRFCT Mandem, who are this week's Diamond In The Rough Of The Week™.

The energetic duo started their career on Bloc2Bloc in 2019, the streaming radio platform that has been a launching pad for several DJs in the scene, one of the most well-known probably being IndiKa. Their fun energy and amazing dance moves lead a slowly growing fanbase, increasing in size stream-by-stream. Earlier this year, the dutch label Korsakov reached out to the up-and-coming producers of the drum and bass community to be part of a talent LP. One of those producers were PRFCT Mandem. Korsakov was apparently already such a fan after hearing the first tune of their submissions that they instead offered them to release a full EP on their label. That EP is the Formation EP!

Hearing the finished EP, I can now say that I absolutely understand Korsakov's decision. It's insane that they actually did not have anything released before this, there's just so many unique ideas in that EP. Oscillation kicks off the release with a whirlwind of energy, followed by the a bit more typical neuro-y sounds of Dissection. As evidenced by Hit, they are not bound to the genre and like to experiment with some halftime sounds as well. The closing title goes full circle to Oscillation's absolute mayhem and ends the EP on a high note.

If you don't feel this EP, please just check out one of their streams. They're the best man.

The Runner-ups of this week's Hidden Gem:

TEK-DIF - Transmute (Hafgufa Reprise is such a tune)
Twintone - Fragments Of Love EP (even more liquid, lovely vocals too)
Enigma - Intelligence
Ventus - The Polyanna Principle