New music on our radar this week: Nia Archives, Mechatok, Sammy Virji
Welcome to Mixmag’s round-up of upcoming music releases that you should take note of
Skee Mask handles ‘Stressmanagement’ on new EP
Skee Mask has returned to the Ilian Tape sublabel founded for his productions Ilian Skee Series with a new four-track EP titled ‘Stressmanagement’.
It explores sounds spanning angular modular melodies, wompy alien bass, anxious textured techno, crashing breaks, and more,
Buy it here
Mechatok shares second Young single, ‘Virus Freestyle’
Mechatok has shared another taste of his new era since signing to London label Young with new single ‘Virus Freestyle’.
It’s an airy and infectious experimental pop track with carries a sense of warmth and nostalgia,
“I really just recorded this one as a single take on my favourite synth Virus TI Snow and listened to that loop for a couple of years. Actually finishing the track felt like collaging meaningful and totally random memories into some kind of neon melancholia flashback sequence,” says the Munich-hailing artist.
Buy it here
Aitch announces second album ‘4’ is out this summer
Aitch has revealed his new album ‘4’ will land via NQ Records/The Orchard on June 4 this summer.
Two singles are out so far, ‘’BOUNCE’ and ‘LUV?’ featuring Annie-Marie, showcasing the Manchester rapper’s cheeky bars across rousing beats.
The LP has influence from US hip hop greats such as Nas and 50 Cent, channeled through his own strongly ingrained Northern England style with features from UK peers.
“This album represents, first & foremost, my postcode. My postcode is M40, and for years, since we were kids, when we used to take pictures, we always used to throw 4’s up. It used to be our thing; we were always repping the 4. So with that being said, this is welcoming people into the ’4’!” says Aitch. “Even though this album isn’t necessarily as personal or as vulnerable as ‘Close To Home’ was, this is just a whole other side of my brain, where I’m just letting it all out, letting the vibes out, and just showing people what time it is where I’m from. Especially being from Manchester, I feel like sometimes a lot of things are hidden. Because the scene is very London-centric, we don’t always get a look in sometimes, so this is me just ripping that canvas and bringing people into what’s going on over here.”
Pre-order it here
PinkPantheress goes ‘Stateside’ on new single
PinkPantheress has dropped a new single ‘Stateside’, made in collaboration with The Dare, askel arvid and Count Baldor.
It’s taken from her upcoming mixtape ‘Fancy That’ which lands via Warner Records UK on May 9.
Featuring a staccato melody, pulsing breaks, swampy bass and a vocaql hook that flows like ‘Freak Like Me’, it marks another banger for PinkPantheress’ new era.
Speaking about the track, she said: “so excited to share with you my favourite song off of the project, Stateside. it explores my growth as an artist and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as me.”
Pre-order it here
Sammy Virji and Issey Cross link up on anthemic single ‘Nostaglia’
Sammy Virji has joined forces with Issey Cross on new single ‘Nostalgia’.
Melding frisky percussion, anthemic bass, wistful vocals and emotive strings, it’s a surefire anthem from the UKG’s hottest artist.
Buy it here
Nia Archives teams up with Cheetah for debut Up Ya Archives Records release
Next-gen junglist Nia Archives has launched a new imprint, Up Ya Archives Records.
With a mission of platforming “the best in 150-170 bpm dance music”, the new imprint’s debut release is a collaboration between Archives and Bristol-based producer Cheetah.
A soca-meets-jungle track that combines rowdy amen breaks, pitched-up whistles and Archives’ silky vocals, ‘Get Loose’ landed its first play on Thursday night (April 24), being named the Hottest Record by BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders.
“Get Loose is about getting loose with the gang,” says Archives. “It’s us being care free and not caring too much about what everyone else is up to, we just wanna have some fun!”
Buy it here
Surusinghe announces new four-track EP ‘i can’t remember the name of this, but that’s ok‘
London-based DJ and producer Surusinghe has shared details of her forthcoming debut EP on Dirty Hit off-shoot dh2, ‘I can’t remember the name of this, but that’s ok’.
The four-track EP’s title is inspired by Surusinghe moving forward from “anxieties around short term memory loss,” spurned on by the mental pressures of life as a touring artist — a condition that the artist has been affected by in the past.
Featuring collaborations with Rhyw and Kassie Krut, the new project has been teased with single ‘FTRW’, a techno-heavy track that combines threads of MC vocals and blistering synths.
Buy it here.
Aboutface collaborates with the Wampís people of the Peruvian Amazon for new album ‘Los Bosquesinos’
Aboutface has shared details of his forthcoming LP ‘Los Bosquesinos’, a collaboration between the Brighton-based producer and the Wampís of Guayabal,
Translating to “People of the Forests”, ‘Los Bosquesinos’ was created during a month-long stint in the Amazon where Aboutface, AKA Ben Kelly, worked alongside the Wampís people to gather field recordings and play instrumentals — with many of the sounds on the record originating from Wampis Nampets — songs inspired by animals living around their home.
100% of profits from ‘Los Bosquesinos’ will go to helping indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon fight deforestation, with funds being directly distributed by a panel of Wampís leaders.
Buy it here.
Model/Actriz date while on tour for new single ‘Diva’
Alternative indie four-piece Model/Actriz have shared the latest single from their forthcoming album ‘Pirouette’, set to land on Dirty Hit next month.
Created during an off-the-cuff studio session, ‘Diva’ sees frontman Cole Halden embark on an imaginary date while on tour — describing the pressures and tribulations experienced while on the road.
“The song references many of the real dates I’ve been on while on tour,” says Halden. “Specifically, I’m remembering the times where frivolity shifted to mourning as we both realised we may never see each other again once the night is over. What I’ve learned is that in order to be ‘that bitch,’ one must make use of the melancholia.”
The single follows ‘Doves’ and ‘Cinderella’, the latter being a techno-inspired study on vulnerability and yearning. ‘Pirouette’ will be released in full on May 2.
Buy it here.
South Asian collective DAYTIMERS announce debut album ‘Alterations’
DAYTIMERS have announced their debut album ‘Alterations’, a 10-track compilation that utilises samples from their “unprecedented” access to Sony Music India’s catalogue.
While a release date has not yet been confirmed, on Friday (April 25) DAYTIMERS has shared the first single from the project, ‘Terre Bina’ — produced by Brooklyn-based duo Baalti, sampling legendary Indian composer A.R Rahaman.
Buy it here.
JAILING enlists WTCHCRFT, Sister Zo, Kade Young and S.DOT for ‘FREAKY HORNS remixes’
Get your horns-a-FREAKin, JAILING has announced a new remix EP for last year’s four-track love letter to Baltimore club ‘FREAKY HORNS’, set to land on Clasico Recs on May 1.
While fast-paced club lovers will have to wait until next week to hear the full record, JAILING has teased the EP with a VIP rework of title track ‘FREAKY HORNS’, which sees the producer employ a generous helping of maximalism to create an even rowdier four minutes than the original.
Elsewhere, JAILING has enlisted the help of New York-based producer WTCHCRFT, techno upstart Sister Zo, and regular collaborators Kade Young and S.DOT to provide reimaginings for the remix pack.
Buy it here.
Jodie Harsh returns with new single, ‘Kiss It Better’
Jodie Harsh has dropped as brand new, summer-ready single inspired by Daft Punk and Armand Van Helden, ‘Kiss It Better’.
The disco-leaning track, said to be made “for the sunshine”, features vocals from Swedish singer Maia Wright, and was produced alongside UK duo Punctual.
Buy it here
Emerald launches new imprint Precious Stones four-track EP
London-based DJ and producer Emerald has announced the launch of her new record label, Precious Stones, with the release of a four-track EP.
‘Limerance’ is set for release on May 1, spanning electro, bass, and house. The first single from the record, house thumper ‘Attraction’, is out now.
“Precious Stones is my platform for total creative autonomy,” she explains on the label. “It’s about storytelling through music, capturing the sounds I’m into at the moment I feel them without waiting.”
Pre-order it here
RONI delivers her first full-length EP on Nehza Records, ‘Celestial’
Parisian-Malaysian DJ RONI is dropping her first full-length EP on her Nehza Records imprint this summer, titled ‘Celestial’.
The nine-track release features additional collaborative productions from Dj Babatr and Ma Sha, as well as a handful of club-ready remixes from the likes of Bitter Babe, Audrey Danza, Peder Mannerfelt and JKS.
“I wanted to imagine celestial as a walk through the landscape of my mind and vision of club music,” she says.
‘Celestial’ will be available on Bandcamp soon
Colombian Drone Mafia and Gibrana Cervantes team up on new EP
Colombian Drone Mafia and Gibrana Cervantes have come together on a new collaborative EP, ‘Memoria’, set to land on TraTraTrax’s AMBIE—TÓN sub-label on May 2.
The six-track record marks the second release on the ambient-focused imprint, described as a journey of “immersive drones through lush vegetation and concrete jungle”.
Pre-order it here
