Natural Music #2: Mid-March Mixes +++
Some mixes and releases from the last few weeks
I mentioned in my first newsletter that I’m inspired by a number of writers here on Substack and beyond so I just wanted to elaborate a bit on that here before getting into this mid-month roundup.
- // : Waste Mail “is curated and sent out with the intention of sharing brand new music for the sheer love of it all” and that’s basically how I’ve described Natural Music for years now.
- // : Shawn’s newsletter was the first electronic music centric publication I followed years ago. His opinionated perspectives on the machinations of the scene and weekly recs are always top notch
- // // I connected with Nathan years ago while he was plugging away on his blog Key Mag. In the last few years he’s found bylines on many reputable sites and dove headfirst into UKG and MC culture unlike anyone else I know.
- // : Drew was an early team member at Natural Music and contributed a lot to the site over the years. His taste and newsletter leans towards metal but he digs voraciously across genres.
- // : Philip has been contributing editor at Pitchfork for the last 10 years along with bylines for most of the internet’s most reputable bastien’s of music journalism. His newsletter offers excellent picks across the more experimental sonic landscape.
A lot of these writers publish on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis and it makes sense. The fire hose of new content is torrential and attention spans are short. Why not get more focused and just share a few mixes and releases in order to lessen the load on both the writer and reader for the more comprehensive (or overwhelming, depending on your vibe) end of month lists.
It’s so easy to miss things so these mid month posts will be a place less focused on exacting timeframes.
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Sets & Mixes
All of the following mixes + other favorites from the year are featured on this soundcloud playlist that I’m adding to weekly. Admittedly if your a house or techno head these selections won’t offer as much to you but if you like bass, strap in.
DUSK by Neska
A beautiful meandering journey through lush textures and heart warming bass and breaks. The mix closes out with a favorite from Oscar Huang below who played my party Polarity at Bossa Nova Civic Club in March along with Ronan (hear his set here) and Echor.
The way she plays with percussion and space suited a beautiful spring morning like perfection.
Dekmantel Podcast 457: Richard Akingbehin
Tastes ebb and flow but lately I’ve been drawn towards the rolling comfort provided by dub. I recently threw the first iteration of my new party, Polarity, at Bossa Nova Civic Club in Brooklyn and I closed down the Tuesday night slot 2:30 - 4AM with a sexy mix of dub and dubstep, maybe I’ll post the set one day but in the mean time dive into this masterful mix by the co-founder of the excellent Refuge Worldwide radio station.
Personas123: Dub Down w/ Mui Mui
Sticking with the dub theme, Sam’s mix for Hong Kong Community Radio is an intoxicating slow mo listen.
Bleep Mix #279: Airhead
Following his first proper release since 2018, Rob McAndrew celebrates with “a mix of some beautiful music at 170bpm” for Bleep. A locked in mix without a blend not perfectly manufactured emphasizing the space and air in Airhead’s hypnotic, atmospheric and crisp style of drum n bass. Skip to minute 36 for a highlight moment of wobbly chug.
bela | Shape+ platform - 26 Janvier 2024
I check out most things that 3XL reposts on Soundcloud but this one in particular is so hard, the cover tells you everything you need to know.
protodub at outra cena - this side
Protodub delivers proper side room vibes described accurately in one comment as an “ambiance vortex”. The mix ebbs and flows masterfully between sludgy dub, dubstep, jungle, dnb, and techno.
Marina Herlop live at Draaimolen Festival 2023
A gorgeous live set from Marina Herlop last summer at Dekmantel festival. I slept on her album a bit last year but based on this recording it feels like Marina’s music really shines live with Bjork-ian wonder. I deeply regret not catching more of her opening set for GY!BE last month.
Fast At Work with Carré at The Lot Radio 02-16-2024
Fast At Work co-founder Carré stopped by the Lot ahead of her NY debut at Good Room for Stream Informer IRL for a mix that’s simply a great time.
kinetic mix 026: aka Kos "brown sludge"
On the topic of inspiring platforms
is a mix & event series posting bi-weekly mix & interviews from less established artists often working behind the scenes run by DJ Wiggles. Groningen based OOST booker ⒜⒦⒜ ⒦⒪⒮ steps up for this mixtape with two hours of genre-defying dark & murky texturesTracks & EPs
Mira Mira - amor y lucha
booked Mira Mira to play his upcoming Sorry Label party at Nowadays in April and had been hyping them up a lot. When I heard this absolute trip of a track I understood.Concrete Husband - The Sun Envelops Your Form
A gorgeous cinematic twinkling single from an artist more known for his driving techno. His musical journey began as a classical concert flutist and I hope to see more instrumental endeavors in the future.
Arcane - Execute
An intricate, percussive, slinky banger out of Bristol.
buttechno - lost sounds
A hard drive clearing effort for charity floating by in signature buttechno style. It feels 3XL adjacent in the best way and what it lacks in cohesion it makes up for in quality. It’s hard to pick highlights but ‘new aug 18’ with its choral voices and junglish muted breaks and bass or the flanged out ‘new A-D’ are definite contenders.
Carre - Soft Fascination
Deep within the humdrum of the freeway buzz and eternal traffic of dystopian Los Angeles, there exists an unstoppable sonic gathering of minds, determined to spread a gospel believing that higher BPMs are not necessarily synonymous with harsh escapist mentalities and homogenous vibes.
“Soft Fascination” is an emotional reflection of their fast-not-hard form of fundamentalism that finds Carré preaching a proto vision of classic dubstep basslines and tender pads.
Natural Music Standout’s Playlists
^^ Non-Dance Music
^^ Dance Music
The Natural Music Standout Playlists includes all of the artists that are featured here + more and is updated weekly alongside each new issue of the newsletter.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these selections please share this newsletter with a friend 🫶
Stay tuned for our end of month newsletter featuring more albums, EPs, mixes, links, and more along with a curated list of NYC live music events 🌀