We have made it to instalment number 3 of the Broke Mag Weekly Wob Wrap-Up… this time reporting live from NYC. Even though this one is slightly delayed (due to the fact I have been having WAY too much fun running around the city) – I have still been keeping tabs on the music scene over the last week to curate another selection of super-fresh releases I recommend adding to your playlist.
Be ready to find something you love from my serious selection of house, techno, funk, trance, dance-pop and genre-blending sounds from renowned artists and the newest talent you should keep your eyes/ears on. This week I want to showcase a love for NYC (now possibly my favourite city.) In this instalment enjoy my special mentions to locally-based artists like Ky William and Mike Dierickx.
But enough of the crap and me yabbering on about the NYC music scene, here are this week’s record recommendations…
Mogwaa – Arctica
‘Starry Night’ and ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ Peggy Gou has announced on her label Gudu, the release of Gudu & Friends Volume 2. Following the success of its musical ancestor, Vol. 1, which showcased a diverse lineup of artists from around the globe, Vol. 2 continues this tradition with fresh talents like Alinka, Gina Breeze, and more, alongside familiar names such as Hiver and Mogwaa. Recently the label offered a sneak peek at Mogwaa’s 6-minute-long body-grooving track ‘Arctica’ – an electric bubble of dancefloor joy and we just know it’s the first of many big hits.
Gudu, founded by Peggy in 2019, has become a beacon of international collaboration, featuring artists from the UK, Italy, South Korea, and beyond. Beyond music, Gudu embraces cultural symbolism, with each compilation’s artwork tied to the lunar new year, exemplified in Vol. 2’s dragon-themed illustrations by Jin Young Choi.
GAWP X The Melody Men – Sun Comes Up
Step into a perfectly nocturnal beat with ‘Sun Comes Up’, the electrifying Tech/House creation by British DJ/producer GAWP and dynamic duo, The Melody Men. This one is a dance-until-dawn track that promises endless nights of expressive raving. Effortlessly blending catchy beats with driving rhythms, ‘Sun Comes Up’ embodies a vivacious essence we can’t wait to experience this upcoming summer.
GAWP describes the studio process as a joyful geek-out session, resulting in a track that bridges underground coolness with commercial appeal. With nods from Claptone, Black V Neck, and Don Diablo, ‘Sun Comes Up’ is fast getting industry praise and significant radio attention, ensuring a place on summer 2024 playlists.
Malóne & Ky William – Rhythm Guide
Cuban-born DJ/producer Malóne is known for an Afro and percussion-infused tech-house sound, honed through Miami’s competitive dance scene. Recently Malóne collaborated with Brooklyn’s Ky William on “Rhythm Guide.” Both artists, influenced by their cultural backgrounds, merge their styles with complete ease in this house track. It kicks off with conga drums and hi-hats, driving its hypnotic allure. The collaboration blends Malóne’s Latin influence with William’s minimal house, offering a groovy, immersive experience.
Chris Lake, Sammy Virji, Nathan Nicholson – Summertime Blues
Chart-topping artist Chris Lake and one of Broke Mag’s favourite UK-based DJs/producers Sammy Virji recently released “Summertime Blues” featuring Nathan Nicholson. Nicholson fills the track with rememberable vocals, declaring “Memories are useless, I’ve gotta let ‘em go,” which are complemented by Lake and Virji’s propulsive beat. Chris Lake rightly describes the track as embodying “the warmth of sunshine,” and we can’t agree more! Teased at a recent sold-out show in Los Angeles, the track received a thunderous reaction, blending garage and tech house and it obviously left a lasting mark on us ravers.
Slow Motion – Now Is Gone
Brazilian DJ Slow Motion drops his debut 13-track album “Weapons of Peace” which showcases his textured deep house sound. My favourite track from this record has to be the contagious ‘Now Is Gone’ as it maintains a soothing vibe with woozy synths and silky cuts.
If you aren’t familiar with Slow Motion, he gained recognition with remixes like ‘Drinkee’ in 2016 and ‘Slow Down’ in 2020, accumulating a noticeable amount of streams. He founded Ref City Records in 2022 which is deeply dedicated to showcasing Brazilian electronic talent. Completing a successful U.S. tour in 2023, Slow Motion’s debut album promises continued innovation and growth.
Achilles & Ansun – Live Forever
One of Amsterdam’s DJs/producers, Achilles, joins forces with Newcastle’s own Ansun to create an electrifying mainstage feet-tapper titled “Live Forever”. Achilles, a well-established figure in the scene and has garnered immense support from David Guetta, Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Timmy Trumpet, and Showtek. His latest offering pulses with the fusion of trance elements, amplified by compelling vocals and masterful production. Primed for this summer of seshes, its undeniable energy and captivating sound give “Live Forever” a place on my wrap-up.
Push – Infini
Belgian techno icon Push, renowned for his hit ‘Universal Nation’, releases a nostalgic tech-trance gem titled ‘Infini’. This one is full of kick drums, euphoric synths, and timelessness. ‘Infini’ is the pinnacle of a memorable journey through sound. Mike Dierickx, now based in NYC, is the mastermind behind Push and M.I.K.E. Push.
Mike has dominated European chats and the UK’s Top 40, ‘Universal Nation’ skyrocketed his career, followed by hits like ‘Strange World’ and ‘The Legacy’. Push has garnered numerous awards, including best club singles and dance producer accolades. With six albums under his belt, including ‘From Beyond’ and ‘Global Age’, M.I.K.E. Push’s recent release ‘Infini’ is his next career statement.
GiGi FM – Gabriella
GiGi FM has just announced her upcoming EP under her imprint Searène and gives us a taste of what to expect with the single ‘Gabriella’. Searène is her newly established label that uses each release to convey distinct thematic concepts with a narrative focus. While retaining GiGi’s signature euphoric beats and psychedelic undertones, this single is a funky rendition of what GiGi FM is all about.
Trained as a dancer at the Paris Opera School and Alvin Ailey in NYC, GiGi integrates movement and sound into her DJ and production work. She brilliantly fosters a dialogue between the DJ and the dancer – while embodying the fusion of sound, colour, movement, and metaphysics across her artisticness.
KUNGS x Izzy Bizu ft David Guetta – All Night Long (Mella Dee Wigged Out Mix)
French producer Kungs and London rising artist Mella Dee come together for a fresh remix of the hit single ‘All Night Long’, a collaboration with David Guetta and Izzy Bizu. With over 35M streams worldwide, the original track continues to be loved on radio and DSP charts.
Mella Dee, a prominent figure in UK club culture, infuses the remix, dubbed ‘Wigged Out’, with techno/house elements blended with hardcore and jungle influences. ‘All Night Long’ merges addictive body-moving genres, high-energy production, and soulful vocals, showcasing a crisp synergy between Kungs, Guetta, and Bizu. Mella Dee’s remix adds a new dimension to the track, solidifying its status as a timeless dance anthem.
salute and Rina Sawayama – saving flowers
Vienna-born artist salute unveils their latest single, ‘saving flowers,’ featuring Rina Sawayama. Embracing a collaborative spirit, salute rented a countryside house for creative sessions, aiming for a pop-oriented sound with a focus on songwriting. Inspired by old Japanese car ads, their upcoming ‘TRUE MAGIC’ album concept revolves around driving an old JDM car in a race. Following their debut nomination at the MOBO Awards, salute gears up for a European tour after performing at Four Tet & Friends Festival.
“I took a pop approach to the record,” says salute. “I went in quite blindly just with some loops and ideas but there’s much more of a focus on songwriting and collaboration on this album. In dance music there always seems to be this focus on doing everything yourself but I wanted to get a team around me to develop the ideas I had. One thing I’m really proud of is how organic the work with the collaborators is. I’ve managed to get such a breadth of amazing people on the record.”
Armin van Buuren & D.O.D feat. Laura Welsh – By Now
Trance artist Armin van Buuren and U.K. house talent D.O.D unite for the debut collaboration of ‘By Now,’ featuring the harmonious vocals of Laura Welsh. Fuelled by their mutual admiration and quest to merge genre boundaries, the track blends trance-infused beats with infectious house rhythms, underscored by emotionally resonant vocals. The release marks a milestone in both artists’ careers, following their stellar achievements in 2024.