10 Mixes You Need to Hear This Month

Yu Su – Truancy Volume 201

Yu Su’s addition to the Truancy Volumes is as good as any in that esteemed collection. It’s driven by a concept, namely the changes that she herself has undergone to become who she is today. Beginning with a classical piece by Liszt, it’s a poised meander through various points of significance, including a track made with her partner, culminating with the score of A Brighter Summer Day by the Taiwanese director Edward Yang. Stunning music, achingly put together.

Minor Science – FACT Mix 634

There’s a generally held assumption that music made by music journalists tends to be a little too considered, boring even. Not so with Minor Science, who writes extensively under his given name, Angus Finlayson. Last year’s Whities 12 was the latest in a string of releases of rhythmically bold, body music, and this mix reflects just that.

He moves confidently through electro, kuduro, ballroom and techno, peaking with Peverelist’s muscular but melodic Still Early. More reason to believe the hype.

Petit Singe – SIREN Mix 004

SIREN don’t release new mix entries with the same relentlessness as most, but much like their parties and ‘zines, each addition feels fresh and considered. Petit Singe takes to the plates for the fourth entry with a rhythmically intricate hour that hypnotises as much as bludgeons. Killer records by Beneath, Sun People and Shackleton all land with heavy blows, and two of her own melodic compositions add draw the hour to a close in gorgeous fashion.

DJ October – Mark E Smith and The Fall (1979-1989)

24 January 2018 marked the passing of Mark E Smith, the enigmatic frontman of The Fall. There were many tributes to the man, including a belter by Lukid on NTS. Our own, recorded by DJ October, focuses its gaze between ’79 and ’89, and is bookended by his iconic appearance on the BBC’s Final Score. No reminder was needed, but it is an incredible body of music. Long live the Hip Priest.

Ziúr – Radar Run It Episode 4

An hour of glitchy business from Discwoman for Radar’s running music series. Frankly, this mix would make us give up or cause cardiac arrest if listened to while running, but in any other context it’s rewarding in its challenges. Snippets of fucked-with vocals are interweaved with percussive onslaught to dizzying effect. Not for the faint-hearted, but that’s not what Discwoman are about.

Truly Madly – Mown Verge

A fine collection of impeccably mixed jams by one of those deejay’s DJ. Truly Madly doesn’t have much profile, but suffice it to say he’s been around for a minute, along the way amassing an enviable treasure trove of beauties, bombs and everything in between. Mown Verge is a collection of verdant tracks, by the end of which you’ll be suitably loosened. Check out his website too, where you’ll find countless mixes filed under evocative titles. Tasty.

Aleksa Alaska – Digital Tsunami 140

Moody, sinister cuts (mostly) from the 1980s. The mix reflects Alaska’s response to the oppressive weather the day she recorded it, with the Romanian DJ expertly drawing on her chosen era’s penchant for musical cross pollination. There’s a healthy dose of obscurities including the sonic explorations of Swiss synth-nerd Michael Antener, and the rubbery Klon by A2. Claustrophobic and dubby, one for the freaks, goths and oddballs.

Octo Octa – Zeezout Podcast 054

A paean to the joys of house music from a true disciple. After last year’s triumphant Where are we Going, Maya Bouldry-Morrison’s rising star has been a welcome salvo among the persistence of dance music dudes and DJs in voicing dumb prejudices. This mix lives somewhere near the warmer side of that record, digging out upbeat and loving vocal cuts and celebrating house’s unifying roots. Wrap yourself in jubilation.

Cato Canari – Trushmix 116

A nutty whirlwind recorded live at ØL in Shibuya, Tokyo. Cato Canari, one of a seemingly endless contingent of wacky Norwegians, lays down a bold and brash selection that plays like the perfect NYE mix. Jerky rave and the reverent beats of Floorplan set the pace, before we dive through wandering synth beats, classic trance, jungle, breaks and a healthy dose of cheesy pop (Gigi D’Agostino and Ultra Naté both feature). Always loose, always fun.

rRoxymore – Crack Mix (Fever Ray and The Knife)

A love letter to our latest cover star Karin Dreijer (aka Fever Ray). What better way to illustrate the singular talent and freedom she’s shown through relatively small output than with a mix that goes everywhere in under an hour. And who better to do so than rRoxymore, who’s previously remixed The Knife and shares a zeal for life without boundaries. Read our cover story here.