SELA. - Best Releases of 2023
Hello.
I went through over 1000+ releases last year and wanted to share a 'Best Of' list featuring what I enjoyed the most / found the most interesting (since I've done it the past few years, but didn't share it publicly). Please follow and support these artists.
Hope you enjoy.
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Taction - Connected
- An LP that sounds 'familiar' in relation to the dub techno genre as a whole, but is executed in a very masterful way. A peaceful and meditative body of work that provides an energy level suitibale for a multitude of scenarios - not just music for a late night drive. This was also a project that really helped me throughout the year. (The 7 tracks heard here also seem to be reworks of each other, but this isn't noticable initially.)
Highly recommended -
neomessiah - music for land sailing (ep)
- Really nice 5 track EP with songs that showcase a lush combination of ambient synthwave and bass / future beats. None of the songs are bad and I also feel like a more focused / succinct release like this one isn't the type of thing you see as often these days. It almost reminds me of something you'd find or hear in the early 2010s while digging through tracks on youtube (and I mean this in the most positive way).
Listen below -
Memory Leaks Onto The Rug - Form
- Originally coming across this artist randomly and becoming a fan back in 2014 (and getting a chance to play shows with them in 2015) - this release was really nice to see. While most listeners would write something like this off as another 'vaporwave' album - this artist creates many of their loops from actual physical cassette manipulation in real time. There is also something special about projects like this that key in on the more ambient / drone elements of plunderphonic looping, truly creating new types of textures, sounds, and mental imagery for the listener.
DJ Elmoe - 7.5.3 Code (Deluxe)
- A release that was very nice to see as the artists' last full LP, 'Burnin Season 2' was released in 2014 (almost a whole decade ago). Elmoe once again showcases his unique production style with a mix of relaxed / jazzy + battle tracks throughout. While the songs here are good on regular speakers / earbuds, I would recommend listening on a real sound system to properly take in this project as there are so many details / subtleties that can only be heard this way (especially with the bass / 808s). Rare -
II0II0 (2020) - GAME
- Back in 2021, I randomly discovered and really enjoyed 'Angel', a lovely and lowkey footwork track from Japanese artist '2020' (who changed their name last year to II0II0, seemingly for SEO purposes). Everyone I shared this track with fell in love with it as well, and I continued to follow this artist as they dropped 40+ singles throughout 2021 - 22. In 2023, we were graced with the EP, 'GAME'. As mentioned with some earlier entries on this list, a release like this was great to see as it displayed a clear progression of the artist and their skill / love of this music. Definitely a bit more mature and introspective in terms of the vibe, while still retaining the high energy / fun aspects. (You can listen to these tracks casually or dance to them.)
Take a listen for yourself below:
Beskupehn_Espira - Luh tape
- Most fun album of the year?
Let it not be understated that many albums that lean into 'meme' elements like this tend to wind up being just... not good - or one dimensional overall.
But this album is (again) fun, unique, slaps hard af, and is basically a ride from start to finish as you have no clue what you're going to hear / get next with each track. Definitely excited to see what this artist does next. (Shout out 916)
dolo2000 - INUHAYA
- In the current era of SoundCloud hip-hop / plug / ??? music (where who even knows wtf is going on) - This has been one of the only new rap artists I've come across in the past year or two that I've truly enjoyed / been interested in following. Initially hearing 'After The Rain' and a few other releases via Bandcamp - 'INUHAYA' clearly displays a further progression / innovation from this artist, which is great to see. Basically no real skips on here overall, and a lot of cool instrumentals, with tracks like '1of1', 'stuck in this castle', and 'LUV IT' being clear standouts.
Moon Rhythms - the truth of who you are
- This 3-track EP speaks for itself. Mysterious Ambient / House sounds that appear to have some live manipulation / elements (if I'm listening correctly), with a very interesting song at 160 thrown in as well which was a nice surprise. Excited to see what this artist does in 2024...
Jay Christ - Strictly For Players
- A House EP featuring a clean combination of Memphis / Juke / Latin elements, resulting in what I would call some 'chill party tunes'. Really enjoyed songs like the title track 'Strictly For Players' as the slightly slower nature in terms of BPM is something found in older Juke / Ghetto House music (where the songs are slightly slower for dance / practice purposes).
DJ Twan - THE RISE OF A UNDERDOG
- In the same sentiment shared earlier on this list with the return of DJ Elmoe in 2023, this LP was really cool to see as it is a new, full / proper solo project from DJ Twan. A rare instance as there are not too many Juke / Footwork artists left overall from the older eras that are actively producing and releasing new music at this time. While this artist did return to Bandcamp in 2021 with 'The Life Of A DJ' and multiple singles that followed - this project eclipses those, again showing an example of another artist that is focused and consistently progressing despite already having quality work. A lot of good tracks on here (for listening and for dancing).
Find more below -
nondi_ - rejection_nondi
- Have been following this artist since their self-titled release as 'Yakui' back in 2014. Was definitely excited and surprised to see that they did a release via the label 'Planet Mu', but I found myself listening to this EP the most. While I would say that this release isn't for the faint of heart due to it's unhinged sound, I think that is the core reason I've enjoyed these tracks so much. The raw, subtly smart, and borderline deranged territory these songs veer into is something to be appreciated. Recommended -
zayok - from zay with love*
- Crazy 🤯...