Lana Del Rey 'West Coast' (Four Tet remix) / Interscope / 10th May
Here Four Tet attacks the vocals with a fine scalpel, using his signature choppy style to keep this track light, percussive and high in energy - just like his remix of Justin Timberlake's Suit and Tie last year. Around the four minute mark, just when you think you've got the idea, he introduces some arpeggiating synths and takes the song in an unexpectedly 'ravey' direction. It's a clever interpretation of another great moody love song from Lana Del Rey.
Dief and Baker 'Olinguito' / This Is Music Ltd / 14th May
A seemingly low-key number from the UK duo Dief and Baker, which steadily builds into something more. The pair is ascending the production hall of fame fast, breaking onto the scene with a release on Kerri Chandler's Madtech and now their debut release on This Is Music. Olinguito smells of a Sven Väth breakdown moment if you ask me.
Gerd 'Still Believe' / Defected / 26th May
You can't beat a solid piano riff in House music, and this track is all about it. Gerd, in collaboration with Marcoradi, builds layer upon layer, creating the ultimate cacophonous build up before dropping the piano in favour of some chunky bass and synth lines, later bringing back the broken chords to even greater effect. This is another big dance floor number from Defected - a label that really knows how to churn out the hits.
dOP 'Close Up' / Circus Company / 26th May
A newby from the kings of live electronica, dOP. The Parisian trio is always partial to a bit of a disco tinge, and I can hear this one going down extremely well in their future shows, flavoured, as always, by that famous falsetto. Deep chords and warm pads fill out the Circus Company track which feels reasonable relaxed when listened to but would be given a mighty kick when performed live.
Modeselektor 'I'm Not Into Twerk (I'm Into Kraftwerk)' / Bleep / 5th May
This is the leading single from the tenth anniversary of Bleep label compilation which also features Autechre, Shackleton and closes with Nathan Fake. It's the usual explosive material from Modeselektor, complete with slightly manic synth riffs, chunky and staccato bass lines and a slow pace with plenty of groove. It's also called I'm Not Into Twerk (I'm Into Kraftwerk), which is just adorable (and insightful).
Floating Points 'King Bromeliad' / Eglo Records / 5th May
Suuuuch a groover from Floating Points here, I really can't play it enough. This cropped up in both Floating Points and Four Tet's set for a few months now and finally gets a release on Eglo. The low-fi introduction makes the tune all the sweeter when it drops into high quality gear, then followed by almost nine minutes of cruising boogie that I've seen keep dancefloors on the hop for the duration.
Hot Since 82 'Dont Touch The Alarm' (Bookashade remix) / Knee Deep In Sound / 5th May
This remix comes as part of the first release on UK producer Hot Since 82's shiny new label, Knee Deep in Sound. His original is a solid dance floor track for sure, but the extra melody lines in Bookashade's remix really gives it the magic for me. Between bagging a high profile remixer like Bookashade and having the original named as Pete Tong's Essential tune, it's a strong start for the baby label.
Stone Owl 'Sweaty Disco Balls' / Thoughtless / Released 12th May
Simple (sounding), repetitive, but someone how so likeable! It's all about that rapid bassline riff in Sweaty Disco Balls, a bassline which somehow seems... sweaty. The whole song is full of these sleazy warped growls beneath tinkling chimes and its just good fun. Expect much more from this rising Detroit duo.
DJ Fudge and Hallex 'Simpatico' / Yoruba Records / Released 5th May
Osunlade's project Yoruba is one of those label's that constantly produces music to make you feel happy. Positive, soulful and percussive, this collaboration between Japanese based Fudge and Hallex M is the ultimate feel-good tune. Omar's rhythmic vocals add to the syncopation of this funky, upbeat release.
Giana Factory 'I Live At Night' / Questions and Answers / Released late April
Not technically a May release, but this dark and brooding song from Danish trio Giana is too gorgeous to ignore. Produced by Trentmoller, it's a song about how our minds and bodies can come alive at night, and suddenly go over life's greatest moments and missed opportunities. Don't be too distracted by the apparent murder plot, it has a positive message too.
