March: 14 house releases you need to hear this month

Nathan Barato 'Freak Beater' (Hot Creations)

We’re already well aware of what Nathan Barato is capable of, but this could be his biggest release to date. ‘Stomp Change’ is a relentless peak-time dancefloor assault that comes complete with some 90s MC-style shouting (from “Hey DJ” and “Give me a big beat” to “Pump up the bass”). You could be forgiven for thinking it wouldn’t work at all, but it really does: seeing as there’s no one doing vocals quite like this anymore, it evokes memories of a fonder time. There’s no nostalgia to be found in the fierce, Eats Everything-sized backing track, though, which is brought bang up-to-date with some lively drums, a driving bass, vocal chops, expanding fanfare and staccato rhythms. Elsewhere on the release, ‘Freaks Of The Industry’ has metallic beats and an elastic bassline.

8/10