Historically, this time of year is a lean period for releases. Chart and industry bodies are in a reflective mood and the general population simply has other things on its mind. We shouldn't worry too much, though. It's merely the calm before the storm. A new year means new music.
In light of this annual slowdown, we are mixing things up for this month's release feature.
Tenuously linking all of our selections, a theme flows through the following ten releases. In case it isn't obvious, the theme is Ibiza.
Namely, all of the entries have been produced by artists, endorsed by label heads or put out on labels who will have a presence on Ibiza in 2020. Let's get stuck in.
Carlo | Perfect Plan | Classic Music Company | 6 December
Fittingly, we get the ball rolling with a Spanish native. Known to be a purveyor of sunshine sounds, Carlo is spreading much needed light into darkest January. The kind of record that Freddies dance floor calls out for.
Funky and timeless, this could have been produced in the '90s, the present day or anywhere in between - it's that intergenerational. Good music has no expiry date. Classic Music Company forms part of the inaugural Defected Ibiza festival in mid-May.
READ MORE about Defected Ibiza festival
Darius Syrossian | Bull Stomp | Moxy Muzik | 20 December
Moxy Muzik has been a home for exemplary house music since it launched early last year. After handing the reins to industry friends for the last two EPs, label head Darius Syrossian is back on his own label for the current release.
Admittedly, no concrete Ibiza 2020 news is out just yet although we would be flabbergasted if Darius did not continue his love affair with the island. His management Electric Ibiza - the team behind Do Not Sleep and Cuckoo Land - are based out here, after all.
Burna Boy | Money Play | Atlantic | 24 December
Ibiza Rocks is diversifying Ibiza's rich musical landscape yet again in 2020. The San Antonio party hotel has announced KNGDM festival for 11 to 13 September. The weekend will centre around an Afrobeat music policy.
Currently enjoying newfound success around the globe, Afrobeat can thank the likes of Burna Boy for its popularity. Released on Christmas Eve, anyone expecting a festive number will be sorely disappointed. Could the scene's poster boy be appearing at KNGDM? We'll find out soon.
READ MORE about KNGDM Ibiza
Fabe | Hey Ma, It's Kendra | GO Wax | 13 December
Vinyl enthusiasts behind Game Over have launched their own label, specialising in 12'' records. For the debut release, GO Wax has recruited Cocoon regular Fabe to immortalise his creative spin.
Producing winter series LiFT, throwback session WILDCHILD, roaming underground party ONE NIGHT STAND and various other endeavours, Game Over covers a lot of bases. We anticipate it having a large island presence in 2020 once again.
Thank you for playing.
Sasha Carassi | Sigh (Sunset At Experimental Beach Mix) | Diynamic | 13 December
Solomun's increasingly essential Diynamic has returned with the latest instalment in its Picture series, this time produced by Sasha Carassi. The label boss was one of the first Ibiza residents to throw his name into the 2020 ring.
The day after his 2019 residency ended, Solomun confirmed his return to Sundays at Pacha in 2020. Now that's commitment. Given the name of the remix, this dreamy closing track could well be an ode to the beach bar overlooking the Salinas salt flats. "Sigh" seems made for twilight moments.
READ MORE about Solomun +1
Aly & Fila | Te Espero Aqui | Future Sound Of Egypt | 2 December
Harking back to the early '00s, trance was the dominant sound on Ibiza. This track certainly has notes of the distinct era in the Balearic musical timeline. In 2020, trance may not hold the dominance it once did, but Aly & Fila are still waving the flag.
The Egyptian duo is back next summer for SHINE, confirmed for no less than five Thursdays at Eden. Fellow party resident Paul van Dyk is set to release his own artist album very soon. Could we be seeing the beginnings of a trance renaissance?
READ MORE about SHINE Ibiza 2020
Annix & Skantia | Vertigo | RAM Records | 20 December
RAM Records might be the most decorated stable in the drum and bass modern era. Andy C's renowned label has returned with a brand new slice of frantic action. Annix and Skantia combine on a mind blender of a track, sure to get pulses sprinting.
Andy C will be curating his own Ibiza festival this summer. One7Four takes place at Ibiza Rocks and satellite venues between 19 and 21 June. Wobblers like this will surely fit the order of the weekend.
READ MORE about One7Four
Cassy | A Place For Us | Kwench Records | 13 December
Cassy is a rolling stone. She's lived in the UK, Berlin, Austria, the United States… but right now, she resides on Ibiza. Therefore, we are making the small assumption that Ms Britton will be active on the island in 2020. Her latest production is a soulful delight.
Cassy was decidedly tight-lipped when it came to her summer plans when she appeared on Danny Howard's Radio 1 show in December. We sincerely hope that her intimate Play House party is back for another term at Pachacha.
Sovax | Check This (Davina Moss Remix) | Dusty Nose | 27 December
Davina Moss has been a regular fixture at The Zoo Project down the years and we anticipate that continuing to be the case this summer. How good will this sound in the Seal Pit? The Zoo Project is back on Sunday afternoons at Benimussa Park.
READ MORE about The Zoo Project
Horse Meat Disco feat Kathy Sledge | Falling In Love Again (Joey Negro Falling In Dub Again Mix) | Glitterbox | 6 December
Throw the ingredients of Horse Meat Disco, Kathy Sledge and Joey Negro into the same record, and you have a track that oozes the disco fever of Glitterbox. All three acts have played a pivotal role in turning Simon Dunmore's odyssey into an unstoppable juggernaut.
We caught the Sister Sledge frontwoman at Glitterbox closing in October. Despite her advancing years, the soul diva still possesses one of the most powerful vocals in the game. Let's hope all three acts are back this summer. Maybe even as soon as Defected Ibiza festival?
We'll be back next month with our top releases from the first month of 2020. Until then, enjoy this fine selection.
You can also find a full archive of party playlists from Ibiza 2019 on our Spotify channel.
