The release notes describe this TraTraTrax compilation as “pure boom boom boom, 18 explosive cuts, club-ready, certified-bang-bangs” which sums it up nicely. As does the title, which translates as “don’t stop, keep going 2”. From the off its raucous, launching into rowdy, club-wrecking territory with opener ‘Elevaeton’ by France-born, Belgium-based producer Maoupa Mazzocchetti, which builds to a dizzying climax and bass-loaded breakdown. Other highlights include WOST keeping his relentless form going with the wobbly ‘Azaroso’, Doctor Jeep hitting an irresistible, skippy stride on ‘QTE’, a sweltering cut from Clara! x PVSSY x Entrañas, Jabes’ ‘Tech Heresy’ marking a transcendent high point, and Siete Catorce’s glitchy closer.

Buy it here

If you thought we were overcooking it when we drew a parallel between Erika de Casier and R&B giants Frank Ocean and The Weeknd in our 2021 cover profile, her latest album ‘Still’ should set you straight. It carries the influence of R&B sounds she grew up on watching MTV in Denmark into the present day, building on the template of gorgeous songwriting and intimate, confessional lyrics with influence from a range of global club sounds. The co-production team has expanded beyond long-time assistor Natal Zaks to include input from an A-team of Nick León, Jonathan Jull Ludvigsen, Carl Emil Johansen, Niels Kirk, Christian Rhode Lindinger, Kirsten Nyhus Janssen and Tobias Sachse, while guest features from leading lights of alt-pop and alt-rap Shygirl, They Hate Change and Blood Orange add more star power to this beautifully formed record.

Buy it here

Artists retaining independence is on the rise and the rule of record labels might not be what it used be, but there’s still something about news of an iconic artist on an iconic label that gets the pulse racing. That was very much the case when rumours of a Burial solo EP for XL began filtering through the internet, and the resulting two-track ‘Dreamfear / Boy Sent From Above’ delivered on the hype. Both tracks clock in around 13 minutes long and feel like a delirious, out-of-body ecstasy high, with old skool rave stylings fuelling them. ‘Dreamfear’ spends most of the runtime switching between chaotic drumwork and moments of eerie contemplation, with hushed vocals declaring “ecstasyy” and “love can be like a drug…”, before hurtling into hip-house stylings in the latter stages. ‘Boy Sent From Above’ is an even broader palette of mixed sounds, introducing new elements across its length to deliver a chaotic love letter to hardcore experimentalism.

Buy it here

Opening with Agazero and bbymutha linking up to rework the title-track to Kelela’s 2023 album ‘Raven’, the latter’s delivery of the line “I usually don't be singin', but Kelela hit me up” is a reflection of the respect the Warp artist holds. When Kelela calls, you answer — and on this occasion, many of contemporary club music’s most essential producers have heeded the call, across a thoughtfully curated and masterfully executed remix album. In total there’s 20 tracks, ranging from as sensual, drum-led Karen Nyame KG remix of ‘Contact’ to a blistering interpretation of ‘Missed Call’ from Brookyln techno powerhouse KYRUH to DJ Manny putting a pacey footwork spin on ‘Divorce’ and more.

Buy it here

Flower Storm, the collaborative project from Sepehr and Kasra V, based in New York and London respectively, is mind-bending in all the best ways. Recontextualising sounds linked to their Iranian heritage, it's deep and psychedelic, pairing traditional instruments and vocals with murky club textures and wigged-out acid.

Buy it here

I don’t know about you but we needed a little pick-me-up this winter, and this bright, brilliant record by AceMo is just what the doctor ordered. Described by the NYC producer as “Music made with the intent to make a positive impact on this Earth, and your Life”, it wraps your limbic system in a blanket of ecstasy, delivering 14 tracks that go heavy on vibes with propulsive beats and exultant melodies leading the way.

Buy it here

This EP of tracks Venezuelan raptor house and changa pioneer DJ Yirvin made in the mid-2000s packs a whole lot of dancefloor heft into its sub-10 minute runtime. ‘Aquitojo’ is the standout, landing like an adrenaline shot to the coronary artery with its seismic synth tones and syncopated rhythms, though closer ‘Redada’ (a remix of Spanish hardstyle arist Vicente One More Time) hits nearly as hard with crowd cheer samples and what sounds like a pneumatic drill whirring through the robust beat. Opener ‘El Petarazo’ carries historical weight amid its energetic rhythm, with accompanying vocals from DJ Rosmel storytelling about a police headquarters being violent stormed by residents of a nearby barrio, while ‘2005’ is short and impactful slice of screwface bass wobs and dembow beats.

Buy it here

The second compilation album from Hackney-based independent platform The Silhouettes Project is another knockout LP showcasing some of the best artists in London’s hip hop, soul, jazz and R&B undergrounds. Opener ‘Be Myself’ by Nix Northwest and TAMBALA eases you in with a laid-back beat and smooth vocals that bely the more steely message of its chorus refrain “Why you tryna meddle in my life / When I just wanna be myself?”. Another moment of smooth production and harder-hitting lyrics include the sax vibrating below bars about mind-altering psychedelics trips and feeling stuck in life on KinKai, Pedro Retro and Whoeva?’s ‘Council Juice’, while Elisa Imperilee sings beautifully about striving to make positive changes in life over production by MIDNIGHT PHUNK and WLFY, and ‘West End’ by Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn-Humphreys is a gorgeous ode to the impact having a child has on your life. They’re reflective of the tone of the project, keeping things real while paving the way to better days, in both its musical substance and the collective ethos of the group.

Buy it here

There’s more than meets the eye on Stolen Velour’s latest full-length effort. The London-based producer calls this release an ode to “the ambiguity”, where symbols are “smeared and washed together”. Consisting of three original productions and additional reworks from Sobolik and Despina, ‘Jasper’ packs the experimental club weapons with transient moments of dub, techno, and breaks.

Buy it here

Marking the first release of 2024 on Grid Records, New York producer and sound engineer Plebeian gets behind a four-track release inspired by the likes of Objekt and Djrum. Each bare-bones track journeys further into explorations of percussion and bass, building and crashing with dramatic effect.

Buy it here

Communicating her experience with depression over the course of eight tracks, New York’s Krithi delivers a seamless album dedicated to the coping mechanisms that help deal with mental darkness. She draws on influence from dubstep, kuduro and dembow to hone her vision, with each track flowing immaculately into the next.

Noir Fever, a record label founded by the UK artist Aluna dedicated to celebrating Black dance music, launches with eight-track mixtape ‘Fédération Internationale du Bruit’, helmed by Montreal multidisciplinary collective Moonshine with features from Aluna and others. The album is a feast for the ears, bubbling with unbridled creativity and exploring boundless textures. Rooted in African and electronic club culture, it journeys through batida, amapiano and Jersey club. Beginning with the sweetly sensual and melodic R&B of ‘Pain & Pleasure’, featuring Aluna, standout moments come from the soothing and grooving ‘Sikoyo’, and my personal favourite, ‘Bless You’ ,with its trance-like atmospheric sounds.

Buy it here

Murphy’s Law have been releasing wicked dance tunes since 2019 and their cheeky two-track EP, ‘Karma’, is no exception. The sibling duo deliver juicy, bountiful tech-house records that heavily sample soul and groove rhythms, creating an eclectic yet cohesive sound. Expect music that artfully dances in and around genre whilst maintaining a charismatic essence of its own. The eponymous track ‘Karma’ kicks off with bongos tacked to snappy hi-hats, with a spoken vocal demanding “well lemme tell ya somethin!” before delving into a bass-heavy grooving beat. ‘Crusty Feet doesn’t take itself too seriously. The sampling is reminiscent of early hip hop, boasting chopped spoken word and record scratch sound effects, with a vocal that says “Instead of holding her hand, you should’ve been some lotion them crusty feet she got”.

Buy it here

‘Is What It is' is a soulful, introspective four-track mixtape that lies somewhere between R&B vocals, light UKG patterns and house. On the well-worn phrase used as the title of the EP, Love Remain said: “For me this properly represents everyday life, I hear people say this every day… it says so much yet with so little.” The first record, titled ‘LDN GIRLS - Gboyega’s Theme’ pays homage to the artist's late friend, British-Nigerian poet Gboyega Odubanjo who passed away last year. Featuring his vocals, it sets a poignant tone for the mixtape. The title-track follows with an emotive instrumental and repetitive vocals that feel like a question mark and a full stop all at once, flowing into the equally spirited ‘omds’ with an almost liquid quality. The EP finishes with the melancholic yet hopeful ‘Flourish’, on which the record’s pulsing synths seem almost to be breathing.

Buy it here

One of the biggest stars of the UK rap scene, Little Simz, has wowed us again with a surprise drop that experiments with new sonic territoiry. Already revered for a host of expertly sculpted albums, ‘Drop 7’ is an EP that exhibits a love for club music from Simz. See ‘Mood Swings’, which draws for a mix of Afrobeat and house production with barely any vocals on the track, or ‘Fever’ which has Simz speaking fluent Portuguese to a São Paulo-inspired beat. Little Simz is the gift that keeps giving.

Buy it here

Make sure you’re strapped in for this rollercoaster of an album from Ghetts. He cooks up a storm with a long list of collaborators, including Unknown T, Moonchild Sanelly, Sampha, Kano and more. Originally coming up in the grime scene but expanding his sound since, Ghetts delves into Afrobeat, drill, amapiano, gospel and more, with assured lyrics, flow and intent. Ghetts’ soothing voice adds to his capabilities as he handles tough topics with confidence and sensitivity. Preaching honesty and reality, Ghetts covers an array of hard-hitting subjects from racism to politics with lyrics such as: “I was on the phone with a pal of mine / They asked me why they’re helping Ukraine and not Palestine / And I replied, ‘Brown skin’” and “The government have got us in a chokehold / A hero if I kill for my country, and a villain if I kill for my postcode”. This project as a whole is an ode to the difficulties in present day society, while also demonstrating an incredible showcase of UK Black artists.

Buy it here

After the success of ‘Nymph’ and its remix follow-up ‘Nymph_o’, Mixmag cover star Shygirl has leapt forward with a new club-focused EP, named after the event series she’s been running since 2022. Working as an extension of the raw essence of the club, Shygirl has created six sexy bangers. Opening track ‘4eva’ gently warms you up while ‘f@k€’ pulls in the power of hardcore techno and the positivity of Eurodance. Throughout she keeps it lyrically real, with suggestive lines like “bad girl but a good time” and “these boys, they think they're cute / too thirsty, need that juice” in ‘tell me’. Drawing the EP to a close, ‘thicc’ featuring Cosha is a layered pop-centric dance anthem that was born to be played out.

Buy it here

The handful of records already released by Jonny From Space are roughly split between club-destined punch and dreamy low-tempo, and his debut album on Incienso exists firmly in the latter. Taking us for a dip into a shimmering ambient soundscape, the Miami-based producer combines feather-light percussion with delicate synths to create a serene atmosphere that feels like floating in rhythm with the ocean at slow tide. While much of the record exists on the smoother, halcyon end of the scale, there are still moments of identifiable disquiet - with the employment of blistering hats within the slow-yet-frenetic chug of ‘Hold & Release’ and a cosmically-eerie theremin riff that punctuates through ‘Run It’. The perfect soundtrack for your interstellar journeys on the REM wave.

Buy it here

Inspired by his foundational experiences on Black gay dancefloors and the intimate moments found therewithin, serpenwithfeet’s third studio album, ‘GRIP’, is predictably sensual and energetic affair — though look beyond the record’s club-infused veneer and ‘GRIP’ relays a narrative of both spiritual and sexual awakening, juxtaposing house euphoria with R&B melancholy that wraps tenderness and buoyant confidence around each other like a caress. While the Ty Dolla $ign-featuring opener ‘Damn Gloves’ kicks off the album with a rapturous edge, ‘Spades’ is marked by silken vocals and soft guitar strums — while the kicks on ‘Hummin’ creep delicately towards a crescendo as Serpent describes catching eyes with another across the dancefloor.

Buy it here

While the 16-track expanse of Patrick Holland’s new mixtape on Verdicchio Music Publishing might at first glance appear an intimidating prospect, by the end, you’ll be wishing it was 16 tracks longer. Dithering through uplifting house on opening track ‘Third Rail’, bubbling down-tempo electro on ‘Photon’ and vivacious garage on ‘It’s in the Wrapping’, ahead of signing off with some soothing electro-rock on final tracks ‘Blue’ and ‘Off The Oil’, there’s a track for every mood buried within ‘Infra’ — but as a whole the record still feels interconnected in its playful employment of new-age percussion and nostalgia-inducing synths. As satisfying as it is complex, ‘Infra’ is a treat from start to finish.

Buy it here