Welcome back to another edition of Fresh Finds, where we bring you the best of the week’s new dance releases!
It’s been yet another busy week of fresh tracks, so without further ado let’s get into this week’s most exciting drops:
• ALBUM: San Holo – EXISTENTIAL DANCE MUSIC
I find it hard to believe that it’s only been two years since Dutch DJ San Holo released his excellent sophomore album bb u ok? —an intimate electronic record that mixed the DJ’s signature euphoric EDM with indie influences. This past Friday, the artist and songwriter released his highly anticipated follow-up record, EXISTENTIAL DANCE MUSIC, which featured a variety of collaborators including Bipolar Sunshine, Lizzy Land, Sofie Winterson, and AURORA.
There’s so much to be said about this record. EXISTENTIAL DANCE MUSIC offers a varied and heartfelt exploration of anxiety and the struggle of mental illness through a clean and forward-looking production style. It’s a familiar sound but with a newfound focus.
In a letter on his website, San Holo wrote that the record is “not so much about ‘losing yourself,’ but more about finding yourself.” Evidently a powerful vehicle for healing, EDM might just be San Holo’s strongest and most meaningful release to date.
• EP: Verraco – Escándaloo
Verraco, Columbian tribal techno legend and one of my all-time favorite DJs, finally graced the world with a follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut album Grails.
Escándaloo, released this past Friday, consists of three tightly produced tracks that situate themselves at the intersection of glitchcore and tribal techno. At just 15 minutes, the EP is far from the full-length album that fans have been waiting for—but it’s enough to keep us dancing until then…
• TRACK: Diplo, Walker & Royce, Channel Tres – “Diamond Therapy”
It’s always a good day when a new Diplo track drops, and this most recent release, featuring seductive vocals from Channel Tres and production from Walker & Royce, is dance music of the highest order. “Diamond Therapy” is sexy, bombastic, and, with its pounding bassline and inspired lyrics, an instant club classic.
• TRACK: The Director – “Let Me Be Your Energy”
Fresh off a set at Piknic Elektronik, Montreal-based DJ Mathis Moretti (aka The Director) is what some might call a house connoisseur, as plainly evidenced by his debut EP How to Use a VHS Camera?
A progenitor of ‘French Touch 2.0’, The Director effortlessly inspires movement with his clever mix and energetic production style. The Director’s most recent release, “Let Me Be Your Energy,” might just be his best yet.
• REMIX: Charli XCX, jamesjamesjames – “Speed Drive” (jamesjamesjames Remix)
Improving on the unimprovable, jamesjamesjames’ remix of Charli XCX’s “Speed Drive” is this week’s hottest drop for the girlies. Blasting the Barbie Soundtrack single into another dimension, jamesjamesjames’ inspired and euphoric take on “Speed Drive” is the artist’s first release of the year.
• TRACK: Chris Lake, Aluna – “More Baby”
Following up on their megahit, “Beggin’”, Chris Lake and Aluna are back with another club banger. “More Baby” picks up where their first collaboration left off, offering the world another excellent showcase of Aluna’s mesmerizing vocals underscored by dancing basslines.
Make sure to check out the VIP Mix of the track, which offers a broader and glitchier take on the track.
That’s it for this week! To keep up to date with all things electronic music, including exclusive coverage of some of the genre’s biggest festivals and more editions of “Fresh Finds” (published weekly on Tuesdays), make sure to check back here at Nexus Radio.
And, as always, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @nexusradiodance.
