Editors' Picks 2019
When reflecting back on the outgoing year, 2019 has been full of ups and downs. Through political upheavals and tumultuous times, music is a constant force of familiarity and reassurance. With this in mind, we at Delayed are proud to present our picks for standout mixes, tracks, and albums. Music is a fantastic way to connect with likeminded people, and we aim to continue this into 2020.
Happy New Year from Irina, Zach, Lena, Gilles, Theresa, Slav Ka and Sabrout !
FAVORITE TRACK OF 2019
Iron Curtis - 010103 [Office Recordings]
Deep, twisted and elegant at once, “010103” is a perfect display of a brain-melting hedonism, written over a dissonant chord that stretches into seeming eternity. I would use the onion metaphor to describe this track, "layer upon layer of mystique with no certain end. The truth is, it is the journey to the core that makes the tease". The infine intricacies of this track take me on a new journey with every listening.
Lamellen - Horse Massage [Dekmantel]
I could say a lot about this seemingly innocuous track, but I won’t. For the last year, it’s been on repeat and proved to be one of the catalysts for my ‘Sundays are for…’ series. I’m a big fan of Dekmantel so I’m not too surprised this track came out on top.
Burial - State Forest [Hyperdub]
Another meticulously meditative journey from one of the most enigmatic electronic wizards, 'State Forest,' arranges a compelling presence of the almost physically tactile, breathing, and vastly spacious submerged world. Its delicate, misty atmosphere grounded in earthy melancholy and foggy moodiness, bringing flashbacks of crisp tranquillity and profound calmness.
Avion - Evasion (Answer Code Request remix) [Crossing]
When ingredients are chosen wisely you don’t need 40+ elements to make a good tune. 'Less is more’ works like a charm in Answer Code Request’s remix of Evasion. Broken beat, subtle pads and simple arpeggiator that does magic in this case. I like this tune because it can be played in different settings during different times of the night and create that special moment on the dance floor. It’s definitely one of those tunes that you bring home after the night out.
Ovandra- Retrofuture [Ahrpe Records]
This track is an antidote to the recent developments of music becoming faster or more hectic, as if you could say more by saying it louder. When I heard DJ SO playing it for the first time, it was like a calling from a different, better world. One of those tracks you would never want to end, that creates instantly a connection amongst fellow dancers or listeners. Ovandra do that with simplicity and sophistication, but don’t be mistaken - there is a positively haunting hook and a drum that makes that track very suitable for all kinds of floors.
Wata Igarashi - Kioku [The Bunker]
This track has something for the head and something for the soul, something for a tripper and something for the dancer. A perfect culmination of Wata’s signature production elements; an excellent rabbit hole to discover.
Stereociti - Celestial Seeker [Groovement]
Stereociti is probably the best producer I’ve discovered this year. The “Constant Turbulent Riot” EP was the first record I’ve ever pre-ordered and the whole release is outstanding, but “Celestial Seeker” is a personal favorite. Definitely my most listened to track this year.
FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2019:
Katerina - Who am I If I’m not me [Tigersushi]
Its rare to discover an album where I like every single track on it. Katarina’s Who Am I If I'm Not Me' on Tigershushi is a breath of fresh air on electronica but also an unobstructed reflection of pure elegance, taste and estimable talent.
Working Titles - De Tuin [Working Titles]
Working Titles aka Boris Acket and Kaap are quite the pair. The two have consistently graced Delayed lists through this year for either mixes, or releases which is no small feat. As far as albums go, the year was chock full of great ones, however my nod goes to the dutchies analog offering. If my subway rides are any indication, this album is fantastic listening to travel to, just losing yourself within the meandering synths, or creating your own narratives to the sounds of Working Titles.
Stenny - Upsurge [Ilian Tape]
It's exciting to see a new generation of talented producers like Stenny, Skee Mask, Objekt, to name a few, building on a conceptual legacy of the prime electronic music while creating fresh and undoubtedly original sound. Stenny's debut album is an impressive collection of 12 supremely composite tracks ranging from a deeply emotive ambiance to the raw dynamic of Darkside jungle and breakbeat, finely blended with d'n'b, industrial, and garage.
Thom Yorke - Anima [XL Recordings]
If number of plays determines favorite album, then ‘Anima’ is a champion by far for me. Thom Yorke’s latest solo album took me back to ’teenage’ style of listening to music. I listened to the album non stop when it came out with going back to it on regular basis now. It’s one of those albums where you start humming the next song before it even started. I like the fact that Thom is experimenting with modular synths and drum machines on most of his solo projects. It’s a match made in heaven for me.
Barker - Utility [Ostgut Ton]
What I love about this album is that Barker doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel here. It encapsulates everything that he does well in a perfect, gleaming flow. Instant classic to me, given its timelessness and depth.
Sebastian Mullaert - A Place Called Inkonst [Kontra Musik]
Sebastian is clearly taking more chances with this album and successfully creates a very interesting and unpredictable blend of textures and moods.
Aurora Halal - Liquiddity [Mutual Dreaming Recordings]
It was difficult not to feature Aurora Halal for my mix, album and track of the year. My 2019 was definitely defined by her consistent genius and her “Liquiddity” release was behind many great memories and moments at parties this year.
FAVORITE MIX OF 2019
Kia - Kommune Podcast #37
This year I discovered Kia, the young Melbourne-based DJ who made a few mixes that I really enjoyed listening to. This specific mix she made for Kommune, a music platform run and curated by our dear friend Nathan Surreal.
With a strong balance between the flow and structure, the mix captures those moments of stillness and reflection, a delicate ambiance that pairs well with polyrhythmic futurism filled with intricate rhythms and slowly-evolving soundscapes.
Also, checkout her beautiful mixes for Nousk'laer Audio and Patterns of Perception.
Kia - Syrup #4
The Melbourne based DJ hit all the right buttons on this one. Trippy, intricate, smooth transitions… All the right bits and pieces to make what I believe to be a solid mix, as well as one that represents a snapshot of up and coming talent.
Autechre - Warp Tapes 89-93
The original two-parts mix of unreleased Autechre material from the pre-Incunabula era. It was a highlight of the NTS x WXAXRXP weekend - the Warp label 30th-anniversary three-days broadcasting marathon in June. Autechre’s early work was heavily influential to the underground electronica, and Warp Tapes is clearly showing why. Packed with structurally complex and acidic 90’s bleeps and broken beats, the mix is a showcase of a signature ae ability to effortlessly create a multilayered, high-energy integral harmony uniquely their own.
John Talabot - All Nighter @ Moog (Barcelona, 21.08.19)
I listened to this mix for the first time during a long car ride and even though I knew what to expect since I heard Talabot playing many times, it completely blew me away. When you give a DJ 4+ hrs to develop the story and on a top of it that DJ is John Talabot, be ready for quite a ride. Technically, I don’t know many DJs, if any, that mix like Talabot does. His talent to create unique rolling grooves is par to none, and this immaculately paced and executed mix proves the point.
Sa Pa - XLR8R podcast 601
This mix is probably not a love at first sight, but once you peeled the skin off, it’s taking you to places and for me without discussion the best mix of the year. There is a lot of loops and noise and turns that are being held together by wooden-sounding drums that do not compromise. Its eclectic, intellectual and, at times, a bit of groove is sneaking in through the backdoor. The fact that it consists to a large part of unreleased tracks by an artist that barely releases makes a bit more special.
Neel - Hybrid Set live at ‘Under The Stars’
This hybrid set flows like molasses, while traversing a nice range of textures and moods. A trip in the best sense of the word
Orion - Vitamina
It took me quite a while to decide which Orion mix to pick. Every release and every mix they put out has simply been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store for them.