Lauren by Oden & Fatzo, Joys by Roberto Surace, Pick Up by DJ Koze, Cola by CAMELPHAT - what do they all have in common? Easy! They were 'track of the summer' in each of their given year of release. Which poses the question: what will be the defining Ibiza anthem of 2023?
Each year, several tracks dominate the sound systems here on Ibiza. It's early days, but already contenders are stepping forward.
Ahead of the season getting fully underway, our clubbing team take picks to see if we can predict who will walk away with this year's bragging rights (and a handsome royalty cheque at the end).
Butch & Nic Fanciulli | I Want You | Defected Records
picked by Lissy Lübeck
Released at the start of May, I Want You sees two of electronic music's most consistent producers come together for a track that's the epitome of Ibizan summertime energy.
Sampling the vocal from a Marvin Gaye classic, I Want You puts a spin on St Germain's Rose Rouge. Each of Nic and Butch's distinct sonics are recognisable on the track. If you've got an ear for it, you can even hear elements of Butch's timeless anthem Dope creeping through.
With its heartwarming groove, warm looped rhythms and rich percussion, if you haven’t already Shazamed it or heard it played out in the club or festivals, you'll be hearing it a lot more on the island this summer.
Likely to be heard at: Defected (Eden), Amnesia Presents (Amnesia)
Creeds | Push Up (Charlotte de Witte Edit) | Unreleased
picked by Hayley Morgan
First heard during a morning Instagram scroll, Charlotte De Witte banging out Creeds' Push It, live at Miami Ultra Festival was the wake-up I needed.
I watch her sets regularly on YouTube and her strain of acid Techno is not always suitable for the early hours, but this had me hooked. The haunting entry into the track is a little tease to get you ready before the booming bassline takes it fully Techno.
Watching the scenes at Ultra as the mile-deep crowd erupted from the main stage sent chills down my spine and left me craving the in-person opportunity myself. In my search, I'll be trawling the clubs.
Keep your eyes on our social channels because once found, I'll be sharing this with the world.
Likely to be heard at: Eric Prydz presents HOLO (Hï Ibiza), Pyramid (Amnesia), EXHALE (DC10)
Joshwa | Magalenha | Spinnin' Deep
picked by Jo Dargie
Defining what makes an Ibiza summer anthem is worthy of an article in itself. For me, it's got to capture the fun-loving island spirit and have the impressionable powers to get stuck in your head all season long. Joshwa might just step up to the mark with infectious 2023 single Magalenha.
Enriching the tribal-esque vocal sample of Sérgio Mendes' 1992 Magalenha, Joshwa introduces stylish Brazilian beats over a deep subdued bass and effervescent drum rhythms. A hip-shaker for sure.
The track debuted on my radar at Hï Ibiza's The Signal in the later hours of The Martinez Brothers and Loco Dice's monolithic back-to-back. Support on Magalenha varies in tastemaker pick-up which could just be the ammunition to send it viral across Ibiza's dancefloors this summer.
Likely to be heard at: The Martinez Brothers (Hï Ibiza), Music On (Pacha), ANTS (Ushuaïa)
Rex The Dog | Change This Pain For Ecstasy | Kompakt
picked by Stephen Hunt
This is one of those tracks that just has everything: head-rushing breakdowns, an unconventional vocal full of emotion, autotune, monkey noises, a siren and a wicked acid line that rears its head. It just keeps on giving. My assumptions about this track were confirmed when keinemusik dropped it towards the end of their Pacha takeover and it blew the roof off.
Rex The Dog is such a versatile producer, from his Electro-Pop remix of The Knife's Heartbeats to his modular synth epic Vortex - and now this. The video is pretty cool too. Little wonder it has wound up on Michael Mayer's consistently excellent German label, Kompakt.
Massive shout-out to our forum community for first drawing my attention to the track, specifically the user Digital2013. That place really is awash with great music recommendations.
Likely to be heard at: Solomun +1 (Pacha)
Other front-runners to keep an ear out for:
Jamie Jones | Lose My Mind | Helix Records
Barry Can't Swim | Sunsleeper | Ninja Tune
Róisín Murphy & DJ Koze | Can't Replicate | Ninja Tune
Layton Giordani | Phantom | Drumcode
WORDS | by Lissy Lübeck, Hayley Morgan, Jo Dargie and Stephen Hunt
HEADER IMAGE | by Mario Pinta
