The best tracks of the year 2023 so far – April – Mixmag

If the current move from Big Room DJs and producers towards hard house is anything to go by, festival season is destined to be all about bounce. TRICK honcho Patrick Topping is the latest to slide up to 130 BPM up with ‘Make Me Happy’, layering the silky vocals of Might Delete Later (aka ANNNA) between a pounding bassline, high-pitched synths and grinding, wobbly kicks. This tech-house-meets-rave-euphoria-meets-donk banger is making us happy that’s for sure.
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Try sticking this on your speaker without making a sound akin to “Phwoar”, we dare you. Taken from the Berlin-based producer’s work-themed two-tracker ‘064’, ‘Workahol’ meanders between bassline, electro, booty house and even some reverb-ed naughty hardcore — deliciously juxtaposing office playlists everywhere with its pitched-up samples — think sirens, moans and a delicate female voice breathing “If you want my lovin’ you gotta work harder.”
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Name us a harder track inspired by fairytales? We’ll wait. ‘Chimera’ taken from Anunaku’s (aka TVSI) EP ‘063’ uses it’s seven minute run-time to transform from rowdy, near-overwhelming, techno into delicately positive synths — using the heavy kicks as a bouncing pad from which to launch soft, melodic piano keys and twinkling chimes. It’s the Panorama Bar vs Berghain house meme in track form, in the best way possible.
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Effy’s breakneck production is a true testament to the rock and punk influences she grew up with, seeping through into her next single ‘Stone’ in collaboration with grime and dubstep legend Flowdan. This dark 140 cut pairs rave components and punk-like elements over a fleeting amen break, matched up with Flowdan’s iconic low-tone vocal.
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Antwerp’s Supreems inaugurates his brand new label Sweet Sun this month with the cinematic ‘Nachtschone’, a melodic house cut and the title-track to the Belgian DJ and producer’s debut album. Using a vocal sample from a 1996 interview with drum ‘n’ bass duo Source Direct – made popular on Joy Orbison’s early track ‘Ellipsis’ – ‘Nachtschone’ builds a similarly gauzy, atmospheric sound.
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‘Toast’ is the first arrival from Blawan’s next EP ‘Dismantled Into Juice’, a new record on XL Recordings that’ll see him traverse through UK techno, experimental club cuts and vocal-led tracks. Through distorted, squelchy 303s and industrial basslines, ‘Toast’ incorporates a fusion of the genres expected to be explored on his next record.
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The same month Kwengface took off the mask, we were also introduced to ‘Fashion Show’ – a track that relays grime in its purest form. With a beat that you won’t be surprised to find out was produced by JME, the track feels as if you entered a PS2 with levelling-up sound effects. Entering with a more straight-hitting tone compared to the autotune of Kwengface, Lancey Foux lists out his wardrobe, naming brands from Diesel, Moncler, Canada Goose and Bottega Veneta. This bouncing grime dynamic will have you learning all the verses in just a few listens.
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A gift from the Gods. KAYTRANADA and Aminé have teamed up to form the duo KAYTRAMINÉ. Featuring the producer titan of the hip hop industry Pharrell, this track was never likely to disappoint. A classic KAYTRANADA layering of Afrobeat and range of drum samples drives forward alongside a Pharrell piano riff. A catchy chorus of “forever” draws a new tone to the track besides Aminé’s quick spits and even a verse in French. It’s a distinctive track that will soundtrack our Spring.
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Joining an already well-loved tracklist on his latest mixtape, Jim Legxacy’s ‘Amnesia111’ brings an all-new style to his discography. Focusing on harmonies, the vocals take pride and place on this new song as Legxacy mixes tempos between breakbeat, vocals and acoustic guitar. Filled with emotion, we’re taken to an entirely new environment never visited by the artist before.
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Solid Blake’s contribution to Tresor’s 13-track ‘yet’ compilation is a leftfield electro cut that you can practically feel swelling and contracting as its slippery textures slide through unstable bassweight and broken beats. Blending idosyncrasy with a shade of functionality, it’s the type of tune that blends keeps you locked into the dancefloor as morning becomes day.
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Dare we call this pop? It’s definitely the most accessible Amnesia Scanner track for a minute, although contorted through the framework of their distinctive vision with its uncanny vocals and Balearic sax. It’s a tantalising introduction to the new album on the horizon, which they’re collaborating with NYC’s Freeka Tet on for the building of a sonic-visual world.
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Dawn Richard is back in her Electro Revival bag with her first single of the year ‘Bubblegum’. The boastful, seductive anthem arrives alongside hot pink, choreographed visuals that blend real life with CGI — an perfect accompaniment to her colourful, futuristic pop sound.
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