Welcome back to Fresh Finds, Nexus Radio’s weekly recap of the latest releases in the dance music space! We missed last week (busy at ADE–sorry, not sorry), but we’re back with an extra special Halloween edition of the dance world’s premiere new release list.
Keep reading to discover our favorite drops from the last couple of weeks!
• ALBUM: Rêve – Saturn Return
There are a few days as significant—and probably nerve-wracking—in an artist’s professional life as the release of their debut album. For Rêve, the Montreal-born singer-songwriter whose star shines brighter and brighter within the dance world’s cosmos, her debut album Saturn Return, released last week through 31 East and Universal Music Canada, leaves no doubt about this Juno-Award-winner’s pop-making abilities.
Saturn Return is comprised of an eclectic mix of Rêve’s viral hits (“Big Boom,” “Whitney,” “CTRL + ALT + DEL”) and her fresh-sounding and string-infused disco tracks (“Disco At The Strip Club,” “Release Me”). The album features production from Mike Wise, Carl Ryden, and iconic Canadian DJ duo Banx and Ranx (amongst others) and serves as the first significant artistic statement from this talented up-and-comer.
There are some inspired moments, from the booming groove of “Contemporary Love” (my indisputable favorite of the album) to the Madonna-inspired prayers of “Breaking Up With Jesus” to the soft mix of the album’s only ballad “Past Life.” And, what the album might lack in cohesion, it makes up for in spades with its versatility, ultimately serving as a satellite for Rêve’s exciting and celestial voice. What a debut.
• TRACK: Baauer – “Can I Say”
Coming in hot from Baauer, the Grammy-nominated and double platinum-number one DJ/producer, is the erotic and rhythmic house track “Can I Say.” The latest addition to a bevy of new releases from Baauer so far in 2023, “Can I Say” is as infectious as it is unserious, an evocative lean into the bygone era of filter house that’ll get your head nodding and palms sweating all at once.
• TRACK: Giulia Tess – “Gloves”
Italy’s Giulia Campanella might be physically based in London now, but her sound is positively otherworldly. “Gloves,” the artist’s latest release, features a conglomeration of glitchy synths and Kelly-Lee-Owens-esque loops blending into an awesome, rhythmically forward sound that’ll just as easily whisk you away as it will move you.
• TRACK: Nils Hoffmann – “Closer”
Hailing from Berlin, Nils Hoffmann’s sound is quintessentially German in all the best ways. Released through London’s Anjunadeep Records and deeply entrenched in the soothing waves of progressive house, the artist’s new track “Closer” is a breath of sweet fresh air.
• TRACK: ESSEL – “The Edge”
Born and bred in Liverpool, ESSEL’s new track “The Edge” (released via Toolroom Records) is this week’s potent dose of tech house, a groovy single in line with past releases but also serving as a step towards what sounds like an exciting new direction.
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.
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