On Rotation: Staff Picks Week 7

On Rotation: Staff Picks Week 7

With the excitement of the Grammys past us, Beatport’s editors spotlight some decidedly more underground selections that have been floating near the top of their promo pile. Read on to check out new music from Shlohmo, Shenoda, The Neft, and ITAL.

Matt Ferry

Merchandising Manager / Denver

Shlohmo - Vacation EP [FoF Music]

Henry Laufer’s newest three-tracker offers more of his signature, gloriously impossible-to-define, wonky electro hop, and it’s been impossible for me to put down over the last few weeks. Distant diva slices á la mid ‘90s pop and a signature 808 beatscape wreathe the EP in a certain kind of low-end perfection no other beatsmith could craft besides Shlohmo himself. Too dope!

Further Listening:

Wildkats - Tunnel Vision [Hourglass]

Stay+ - Fuck Christian Aids [Ramp Recordings]

H.O.S.H. - Life Is Music Is Life EP [Diynamic]

Christine Kakaire

Merchandising Manager / Berlin

Shenoda - Mines Of Minolta EP [Fear of Flying]

There’s not much to not love about this package of deepness from Shenoda, down to the artwork that depicts the late Aaliyah at her utmost fierce. “Supercede” has gauzy pads and an intriguing slow-burn quality that keep it thoroughly modern, balanced by “Night Eater” and “Phone Call,” which recall a particularly British brand of vintage deep house; every languid, reverbed handclap and each hint of sprawling dubbiness nod to the glory days of UK powerhouses like Paper Recordings and Shaboom.

Further Listening:

Xosar - Ghosthaus [Rush Hour]

James Mason - Nightgruv [Rush Hour]

Lady Blacktronika - Pieces Of My Puzzle [Little Angel Records]

Sean Lewis

Merchandising Manager / Denver

The Neft & Ellipse – Miracle [Plush Recordings]

Most of the time, there’s not much overlap between dubstep’s more ethereal works and the tougher sound of its more heaviliy trafficked subgenres. Both the tracks on The Neft’s “Miracle” feel like the duo started with a foundation of something really delicate but added some sort of subliminal production that points to something more driving hidden underneath the ambience. I’m not quite sure if it’s the 4/4 turnaround in “Breaking The Waves” or if their ability to produce in multiple genres that is tickling my Spider Senses, but either way… I like it!

Further Listening:

Soloman - Wonkey Donkey [STYX]

Tunnidge – Brixton Bass

Hues Corporation - Rock the Boat

Dan Cole

General Manager of Merchandising & General Manager / Berlin

ITAL - Hive Mind [Planet Mu]

There’s a lot around Daniel Martin-McCormick’s new incarnation ITAL, and rightly so. His unique fusion of reverbed loops and washed-out beats has put in the heart of the new landscape of ever-evolving house music. His new album Hive Mind on Planet Mu chugs along at an almost progressive rate and is stacked to the brim with ambience and feeling. This a dedicated album journey I recommend you take.

Further Listening

Huxley – Let It Go [Hypercolour]

Alaska – Arcosphere [Arctic Music]

Objekt – Cactus / Porcupine [Hessle]