It’s a big day for dance music. We’ve got new releases from Disclosure, Dua Lipa, Aluna, Illenium, Crooked Colours and more. Cruelly, there’s zero chance we’re going to hear any of them played out in a club over the weekend so why not bring the club to your home. This weekend, we’re solo dancing so we thought we’d soundtrack it for you with our favourite recent dance and electronic releases.
ALBUMS
Disclosure - ENERGY
Disclosure are back with their first album in five years. ENERGY is the name of it and it’s a guest-packed extravaganza featuring Kelis, Kehlani, Channel Tres, Slowthai, Common and more. Stylistically, it’s back to basics for the brothers after the pop-turn of Caracal. This time, it’s all about house music infused with soul and disco samples.
Dua Lipa - Club Future Nostalgia
Dua Lipa has teamed up with acclaimed DJ and producer The Blessed Madonna to bring you Club Future Nostalgia. Pulling new remixes of Future Nostalgia songs by the likes of Yaeji, Moodymann and Mark Ronson, it makes the album even more danceable. Every song is mixed together and she’s even thrown in two cheeky new songs plus guest appearances from Madonna and Gwen Stefani. If you can’t go to the IRL club go to Club Future Nostalgia.
Aluna - Renaissance
Aluna has broken away from her musical partner George for her first solo record Renaissance. As always, she proves herself to be one of the most versatile voices around moving through everything from house-tinged pop to reggae. The producer list is pretty spectacular too with Aluna producing alongside Kaytranada, Lido, SG Lewis and more.
BRONSON - BRONSON
BRONSON aka ODESZA and Golden Features dropped their debut album recently. If you’re looking for something on the darker side this is the one for you. It’s a haunted, damning trip through dark, pulsating beats and brooding synths. The pair have tapped into a new musical space and it’s spectacular. Keep and ear out for appearances from Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and Gallant.
Roland Tings - First Wave
Aussie beat master Roland Tings have churned out a new EP to keep us going. First Wave bleeds colour, giving us wobbly synth-work and perky beats. There’s a detour around every corner as we move from experimental house to ‘80s synth.
A.G. Cook - 7G
If it’s overload you’re after then look no further than the debut album from PC Music head A.G. Cook. 7G is 49 tracks stretched out over seven discs that move from guitar-based alternative to hyperpop. It’s going to bend your brain in many different ways. You’re likely going to need a full night to get through it too. If you can’t get enough, you’re in luck because he’s releasing another album next month.
Kelly Lee Owens - Inner Song
If you’re having a solo dance and you’re up for something more introspective, this one is for you. Kelly Lee Owens’ second album Inner Song sweeps you up on a bed of atmospheric synths and drifting vocals. It’s an immersive experience that draws you in on the first song and holds you captivated right until the last breath.
Kiesza - Crave
Kiesza has a huge hit earlier in the decade with Hideaway. She disappeared for a while recovering from a bad car accident but she’s back with her second album Crave. It’s a collection of retro-tinged, dance/pop songs that have been criminally underrated so far. Fans of Carly Rae Jepsen and Robyn are going to get plenty of kicks out of this.
SONGS
Illenium - Nightlight
Denver producer Illenium is back with a new one Night Light and it’s going to get you in your feels. He’s tapped the lofty vocals of Annika Wells who swells the emotion while Illenium builds a widescreen, all-encompassing instrumental around her.
Logic1000 - Perfume
Australian producer Logic1000 is one of the most revered producers around right now and her new one proves exactly why. Perfume is a pacing, frantic song calmed by a soulful, affecting vocal.
Crooked Colours - Love Language
Crooked Colours first new song of the year is here and it’s instantly stunning. Like all their best songs, it grows into something grander with the beat growing larger and larger as it moves from atmospheric to pulsating.
Rudimental - Come Over (Feat. Anne-Marie & Tion Wayne)
Rudimental and Anne-Marie have teamed up once again. Anne-Marie came up touring with the electronic foursome and it feels like a full circle moment to hear her back on another track. This one is a drum‘n’bass banger complete with blaring horns.
SG Lewis - Impact (Feat. Robyn & Channel Tres)
This might be the sexiest song of the year. Channel Tres gives a steamy verse over SG Lewis’ impossibly cool beat and then Robyn comes in with a hypnotic chorus. It’s right up there with the best songs of the year.
Kito - Follow (Feat. ZHU & Jeremih)
Australian producer Kito goes from strength-to-strength and she may have her biggest track yet on her hands with Follow. She taps R&B singer Jeremih for the track who matches her sleek beat with a syrupy vocal.
Honey Dijon - Not About You (Feat. Hadiya George)
At this point Honey Dijon is dance music royalty. She just continues to make the most thumping, unapologetic music around and she’s released some incredible originals and remixes this year. Not About You came out recently and it’s the sort of track that commands you to dance.
Roísín Murphy - Something More
Roísín Murphy, one of the most influential dance/pop artists of the millennium, is prepping her next album Roisin Station. Something More is taken from it’s a sizzler. Moving at a sleeker pace than her previous cuts, it’s steamy thanks to those brooding vocals.
