Boris Brejcha, UMEK, Bart Skils, HOF, illyus & Barrientos, and Lost Desert delivered house and techno heaters during the week of February 12!
To say how difficult it was to narrow down our favorite tracks for this edition would be an understatement. Fan favorites like Azzecca, Kyle Watson, Kevin Knapp, and Wenzday had us moving and shaking like there was no tomorrow, Tinlicker dropped a new album, and beloved duos like Duck Sauce and Night Tales had us cranking up the volume.
Last week also answered the intense demand for “Shiver” by John Summit and HAYLA, returning the house scene to homeostasis.
While the music releases were noteworthy, there was a load of industry news worth celebrating as well. The list included HARD Summer and Desert Hearts announcing their new locations, and Sara Landry making her Bay Area return official. In addition, United We Groove gave a sneak peek into their Miami Music Week lineup and Ushuaïa Ibiza unveiled their 2024 resident DJ list.
But before you run off to check out the details, get in the mood with our favorite tracks of the week. Our selections include a brand-new music video from Boris Brejcha, as well as two tantalizing techno tracks from UMEK and Bart Skils alongside HOF. Then we’ll let illyus & Barrientos host a house party before shutting it down with the gorgeous organic stylings of Lost Desert.
Read along for more information on five fresh tracks that dropped last week, and listen to more house and techno curations on EDM Identity’s Subterranean Sounds, House Heaters, Melodic Marvels, and Dancefloor Decadence Spotify playlists!
House and Techno IDchart 004 – February 12 – 18, 2024
Boris Brejcha ft. Leony – Miracle
For the past year, Fckng Serious boss Boris Brejcha has been generously feeding his fans music off of his forthcoming album, Level One. The sounds of “Space X,” “Vienna,” and “Dimension” may be setting the tone, but it’s the accompanying music videos that are dialing up the excitement for the final product. The latest to arrive is “Miracle” featuring German TV star Leony.
The video begins with a goldfish swimming in a glass of water before the “high-tech minimal” master places a VR set over his eyes. We’ll let the rest play out for itself. The music is simple yet infectious, featuring a signature horn, some sizzling sound effects, light percussion, and a set of vocals that switch from angelic to creepy with a robotic moment tossed in for good measure.
Stay tuned for more visually stimulating soundscapes as we await the April arrival of Level One!
UMEK – No Sleeping
It’s time to skip the coffee and crank up the natural energy with techno titan UMEK. “No Sleeping” is plucked off the 1605 boss’ latest three-tracker, which also includes “Party Non-Stop” and “Annihilating Rhythm.” No matter which track you choose to smash play on first, expect a surge of adrenaline as your feet sprint straight to the dancefloor.
But there’s something about the title track that allows it to stand out from its counterparts, one of which flings out a catchy vocal while the other leans heavily into a dark melody. “No Sleeping” combines the best of both worlds and explodes into airspace with a playful pump and perky hi-hat. It’s the type of track that’ll send the club into a caffeinated frenzy.
Bart Skils, HOF – New Life
Drumcode favorite Bart Skils has officially brought his first single of 2024 to fruition. It’s called “New Life,” and it’s linked to a special competition in partnership with Beatport and LabelRadar. The contest was called Make Your Mark and it asked hopefuls to submit a track for a chance to win a Drumcode release alongside Bart Skils, in addition to going b2b with him at the Amsterdam Dance Event pop-up store, Drumcode Centraal.
HOF, a budding producer from Frankfurt, nabbed the win.
Together, HOF and Bart Skils completed the track, and the ID has been making a massive impression at places like the coveted Awakenings techno temple. Highlights include the famous vocals they borrowed from Nina Simone‘s “Feeling Good” and the boisterous bassline bump. We predict that “New Life” is just the start of a great life for HOF as he navigates the industry.
illyus & Barrientos – When You Gonna
It’s time to switch gears and check out the latest house stylings of Scotland’s illyus & Barrientos. “When You Gonna” overwhelms the room with its sassy spirit, serving up classic vocals mixed with low-octave synth pulses, atmospheric waves, and a rhythm that’ll get you spinnin’.
“When You Gonna” is the perfect addition to the Toolroom collection, and this isn’t the first time the duo made a mark on Mark Knight‘s famed imprint. They’re tried and true members of the fam with releases deep into the double digits. It’s been almost two years since the last time they graced the label with new music, however, so this is cause for celebration!
Vinayak A – The Call (Lost Desert Tranquil Days Remix)
The last few tracks raised the heart rate quite a bit, so why not cool down with a beautiful offering from Lost Desert? Aside from running his label, Souksonic, he’s a Lee Burridge associate, often flexing his skills on the tastemaker’s All Day I Dream imprint. But for this go-round, he headed over to Particles and placed his special touch on “The Call” by renowned Indian producer Vinayak A.
Lost Desert dubbed it his “Tranquil Days Remix,” and it settled in an EP that contains not only the original but a spicy remix by Wolfframm and a groovy B-side called “Side Kicked.” Placing the focus back on Lost Desert, he does “The Call” justice by maintaining its eccentric personality, but at the same time, smoothing out some of the edges.
As the fantasy unfolds, the listener is met with bewitching tribal vocals and soft, organic instrumental accents. Just fall back on the closest pillow, close your eyes, and allow the music to work its magic.
