2024: That Was A Lot…

We’ll let you decide where and what is which but I can assure you now that if it was released this past year and it sits at over 130BPM there’s a high chance it won’t be featured. This is a slow down protest. We asked some of the gang to pick their favourites, so please enjoy.

However, please take a moment to give something back…

Albums

Nídia & Valentina Magaletti – Estradas

Picked by: Ally

Hypnotic percussion, weird and wonky melodies all paired with off piste time signatures and a woozy undercurrent. This is a meeting of minds from drummer-composer and multi-instrumentalist Valentina Magaletti who joins forces with Afro-Portuguese artist Nídia’s. Notoriously hard to place, this album finds a perfect sweet spot between traditional tribal sounds and futuristic electronica. A real trip.

W. H. LUNG – Every Inch Of Earth Pulsates

Picked by: Tim Clerkin

An incredible band that have been toiling away for ages and this is their best album yet. Absolute wall to wall bangers from the Manchester based outfit who show their is a lot of life in the Northern Indie scene.

Molly Lewis – On The Lips

Picked by: Rosie

If, like me, you enjoy romanticising the days of smoke-filled cocktail lounges, jazz club crooners and black and white films (not that I was ever there in the first place), then you’ll love Molly Lewis. Probably the only professional whistler moving in these musical circles right now, who also happens to be really fucking funny (I managed to catch her play in London this year and she can definitely lean on a back up career in stand up comedy), this LP layers Molly’s dreamy whistling against a backdrop of velvety, cinematic sounds that transport you back to a bygone era.

Loidis – One Day

Picked by: Ally

When I heard about this record earlier in the year I got pretty excited. There’s only so long that I could get away with playing that first EP on repeat. This is an extension of the excellent, dubbed out house music which made the first record essential. In a world where maximal dance music is king it’s wonderful to hear someone strip things back and keep it real.

Cindy Lee – Diamond Jubilee

Picked by: Rosie

What’s better than one album from Cindy Lee, how about three? The seventh LP from Patrick Flegel’s project has a whopping 32 tracks and is a real thing of beauty. It’s got a little bit of everything I love; psychedelic dream pop, hazy guitars, experimental ditties and moments of tweeness. If this is their last release (as has been reported) then what a bloody way to go out…

LL Cool J – The Force

Picked by: Matt

This album is fresh and familiar with Q-Tip on production. LL isn’t chasing trends and stays true to what he does best. Don’t call it a comeback.

EP’s

Matthew Herbert – Part 9

Picked by: Ally

The ‘Parts’ series remains, at least in my opinion, the quintessential and truest representation of the Herbert sound. Ten years on since the last one, this released was teased late in the summer and features the trademark delicacy and weird, wonky sensibilities we’ve come to associate with Herbert’s very best dance records. Essential.

DJ JM – Barrakuda

Picked by: Ally

OK, so we might have lied. This one is probably on the faster fringes of things. However, it retains the proper sound of underground Techno and Bass throughout. Nervous Horizon have had a great year and this EP is as close to being perfect on the pulse of current ‘dance’ music.

Compilations

John G​ó​mez and Nick the Record Present TANGENT

A top tier assortment of the music and sounds which have become synonymous with one of London’s best parties. John G​ó​mez and Nick the Record remain two of the hardest working diggers in the game ad have held no punches on this stellar compilation which maintains the feel good factor throughout.

Scenic Route – Road Less Travelled Vol​​​.​​​2

A label which continues to grow from strength to strength – showcasing the best in a new wave of indie, leftfield, experimental music which leaves us thinking that maybe things aren’t so bad and the kids will be alright after all.

Total 24

From time to time Kompakt like to remind us all how important they are. A collection of club tracks from friends and family long associated with the record label demonstrates their continued relevance in the midst of a changing culture. Whilst dance music continues to evolve, the quintessential quirks and playful mindedness of the label is best shown here by the likes of Jurgen Paape, Wassermann and Reinhard Voigt.