TNGHT
TNGHT EP (Warp/LuckyMe)
1 This will go down as the year of trap, and this collaboration between Hudson Mohawke and Lunice is a clear standout in a crowded field. The whole thing is bonkers.
Royal-T
Rinse presents Royal-T (Rinse)
2 Royal-T is a rising talent in London grime, and his debut album showcases a sick array of pounding beats and colorful synths. The guest features, including Merky Ace, on this LP are as massive as the bass. Turn it up and get raving.
Slick Shoota
Draw (Hyperboloid)
3 All the tracks are full-throttle dancefloor fodder, treading juke styles with influences of drum ’n’ bass and trap. The Fellepus remix of “Bruk” is so damn catchy, I might’ve played it at every DJ set the past five months.
Various Artists
Escape from Chicago, Compilation Vol. 1 (Loose Squares)
4 Chrissy Murderbot curates a booming 10-track compilation of forward-thinking footwork. Almost every song is spot on, with LV & Mumdance’s “Steak Night” standing out as dance music for people fucked in the head, and I mean that in the best way.
Terror Danjah
The Dark Crawler (Hyperdub)
5 This release boasts an impressive selection of collaborators from scene vets to upstart talents. I particularly dig hearing the vocal interplay of Trim & Kozzie. Top-notch production values throughout.
Dusk & Blackdown
Dasaflex (Keysound)
6 Warped out post grime future house whatever you want to call it. These London OGs explore an interesting and wide sound palette on their sophomore long player, which has been a regular soundtrack to my office work and the track “R In Zero G” sticks out as the highlight for me.
Sduk
Anything Could Happen (Slit Jockey)
7 This came out on one of my labels early in the year. And I just keep finding myself going back to it, as it has a real satisfying album listening experience. A lot of albums these days feel more like a collection of random tracks than a cohesive journey, but this one has a nice flow that draws you in.
Distal
Civilization (Tectonic)
8 Atlanta badbwoy marks his full length debut with his signature sound of hybrid bass music. Taking the finer moments of techno, dubstep and juke, he coaxes a unique mix of styles that’s both deep and fun at the same time. Sometimes the music sounds like it was made with a smirk on his face.
Addison Groove
Transistor Rhythm (50 Weapons)
9 On his first album, this influential UK producer cooks up a mélange of ghetto house and garage flavors, with his distinct slant always prevalent. Released on Modeselektor’s label, this record has a lot of great club tracks as well as nuanced stuff for cool headphone listening.
Analogue Monsta
Boom (Scion A/V)
10 Philly’s own Suzi Analogue teams up with LA’s Tokimonsta (Brainfeeder) for this eclectic romp through stoner hip hop beats, infectious r&b singing and a heaping helping of synth beeps, boops and swooshes. This is let your inhibitions go type stuff.
