Sunday, February 14, 2016

Valentines Day: Love According To DJs

Usually one doesn't need any excuse to release new music but, when an excuse like Valentines Day comes around a massive amount of new music seems to explode forth. This year is no different, we've received the ninth installment of Hudson Mohawke's yearly Slow Jam series. two new tracks from Geek Boy & Mord Fustang, a scratch routine from Mr Switch, a re-release from mix-master, Skratch Bastid's Valentines Day Mix for The Strombo Show, and finally Esentrik's mix for Diplo & Friends.
Hudson Mohawke is well regarded as one of the best and most well rounded artists the world of music has to offer. Whether its his original productions, his productions for Kanye West or his work with Lunice as TNGHT, HudMo is a force to be reckoned with. When given the chance to pickup one of his curated sets, you'd be stupid not to jump on it. This year he plays our heartstrings with an all UK version of his now infamous Valentines Slow Jams series, also available for free download. This isn't the first Geek Boy track on Enlightenment For Your Ears (see his cover with MYLK, here), so perhaps you're already familiar with his incredibly beautiful soaring style. This version of Lily-Jo is exactly that. Swirling, it lifts you up and embraces you in its loving arms, spinning you round in in euphoric passion. Pick it up from iTunes or add it to your Spotify playlist, and feel the love. Mord Fustang's style has changed over the years, yet the overcoming warm synths have stuck with him throughout his career. Those very synths play an extremely important role in the heavenly original, "I Will Always Miss You." He seems to achieve the title's objective, injecting an overwhelming feeling of longing, leaving you feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Valentine's DJ
St Valentine's Day can be a battleground of mixed emotions - whatever your relationship status, and whether you are enamoured with the idea of a day dedicated to l'amour or not.. it can be a very divisive occasion.And I thought, what better way to sum up the mixed feelings on the subject than with a DJ scratch routine?!Tracks: James Brown - Sunny (Featurecast Remix) / Kelis - Caught Out There
Posted by Mr Switch - World DJ Champion on Friday, 13 February 2015
In less than 40 seconds, Mr Switch succeeds in encapsulating the feelings many of us are overcome with when in love. Since love isn't always this perfect euphoric feeling, it is a process, a back and forth, and perhaps Pat Benatar was right, love is a battlefield. Maybe just a candle lit one. Much like Mr Switch, Skratch Bastid excels at illustrating the interplay and movement inherent in love. His massive library gets a rinse in this twenty minute masterpiece, as Skratch shows of his story telling and mixing prowess. Good luck listening to this without getting down - highly hypnotic.
Diplo & Friends is quickly becoming one of the most consumed radio show/podcasts around. Last year it was Ryan Hemsworth and his Secret Songs hour that took our hearts hostage on Valentines day, but this year it's Esentrik who takes that role. From opening with STFU's "We All Fall Down" to Alison Wonderland's "What Do You Mean" and his own "Love You Down" the hits are endless. But that's not all the tricks up his sleeve, he also delivers classic N'Sync, and a double dose of Janet Jackson. Hot off last night's debut, be prepared to melt upon hearing Esentrik's hot hot heat.

In case that weren't enough, I highly recommend listening to Chet Porter's latest, "tbh ily," here.