Editors' Picks 2020
For the majority of the past year, we've had to put our dancing shoes away and enjoy music at home, while longing for those late nights and early mornings in dark rooms dancing with strangers.
The fact that dance floors have been deserted for the better part of 2020, didn’t stop talented artists from around the world in producing some of the most breathtaking music in the last 12 months. It’s always challenging to pick just one favorite from them all but that limitation also makes the list interesting for us. So without further ado... Irina, Elena, Theresa, Zach, Slava, Abdul and Gilles present our, Delayed Favorites of 2020
FAVORITE TRACK OF 2020
Irina:
Lord Of The Isles feat. Ellen Renton - Inheritance [AD93]
This absolutely beautiful collaboration between Lord Of The Isles and Scottish poet Ellen Renton had a hypnotizing effect on me with its gorgeous instrumentals, and delicately vibrating sounds reaching out to its climax with poetic imaginary and mesmerizing harmony.
Theresa:
Yone-Ko - Strip down to E [Workshop]
Are you dreaming? If one could translate this half-awake half-asleep state, the edge between conscious and subconscious in music, then this track could symbolize it. The simplicity and melancholy of these piano loops are outstanding to me and touched me in multiple ways during this year. And, as an endless loop also a perfect running companion.
Elena:
Autechre - lux 106 mod [Warp]
My long time love, AE, has released two elaborative albums, a highlight of my year. Like many of theirs, this track has an unmatched ability to launch me to a totally different state - the one flying above rational perception, or even humanity. At first, it seems as randomly sketched crystalline sounds until it doesn’t. Like in a beautiful abstract kaleidoscope, it unfolds in waves that muster up into one celestial complex, a fractal assembly without limits - the purest form of being - a much-needed escape.
Gilles:
Squarepusher - Midi Sans Frontieres (Avec Batterie) [Warp]
This track bridged the gap of almost 20 years when I slowly moved away from the music that Thomas Jenkinson, aka Squarepusher, has been making. As a matter of fact, this must be my favorite track by him ever. When I heard it for the first time, I listened to ‘Midi Sans Frontieres’ on repeat for days. It hit me properly. The synth in this track is out of this world, and the ‘less is more’ approach does wonders in this case. There are two versions of this track, breakbeat and beatless, and since the synth melody is so dominant and marvelous, you could perhaps put any beat behind it, and it will work. I’m sure this track will go into the ‘evergreen’ section.
Slava:
Neel - Aconito [Konstrukt]
I’ve been a fan of what Neel does for a long time: his incomparable talent for seamless flow in his hybrid sets, his explorations of textures. He certainly created a sonic signature that is quickly recognized as his. And this track, to my ears, is the best showcase of everything that is Neel-esque.
Zach:
Jungle by Night - Spending Week (Oceanic 'Cornucopia' Remix) [Rush Hour]
This one came early on in the year, and nothing quite knocked it off the top for me. Such a great atmosphere and the tension as the track plays on is incredible. I can picture many a dance floor where this should have been played to great effect.
Abdul:
Yagya - For The First Time [Small Plastic Animals]
I first heard this in the Carsten Jost Delayed mix, one of my contenders for a mix of the year. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and when I found the IDs in the comment I was ecstatic. Beautiful track and an overall beautiful album.
FAVORITE EP OF 2020
Irina:
Estrato Aurora - Atan EP [NNY Records]
Valencian producer is my discovery and admiration of 2020. This EP is a deep, dark and twisted journey that maintains a perfect balance between intricate textures and hardware-driven rhythm.
Theresa:
박혜진 Park Hye Jin - How Can I [Ninja Tune]
I have a weak spot for women that tell the absolute truth with a sweet voice and put some badass, preferably broken beats underneath. “Can you” is as cute as it is absolutely nasty, and I absolutely adore the intersections of house, trap, and techno in this album. This lady broke down a few barriers and I cannot wait to see her live.
Elena:
Gacha Bakradze - Western Arrogance [Die Orakel]
I first have heard most of it in the wonderful mix Gacha Bakradze made for Delayed and have returned ever since. The drive and a contagious lightness of the energy in every second are pretty remarkable. It keeps me going even when I think I can’t.
Zach:
Kev Sheridan - It’s Gonna Be Perfect [Maeve]
What more can you say about this year, other a bit of melancholy wrapped up in a jumble of emotion. This EP hits all the moments poignantly, and I just keep going back to it. Each track has its own memories through the year from various mixes, outdoor sessions and more.
Abdul:
DJ Physical - Cold Blood EP [Deviant Episode]
So I’m at The Flip Side in Dubai playing a few records I picked out, and I had already told myself I’ve bought enough records so I wasn’t planning on buying more. And then I played the Cold Blood EP. Decided I would buy it like twenty seconds into the first track and haven’t been able to stop playing it all month.
Gilles:
Saphileaum - In Distant Terra [Silent Season]
Silent Season has been on point with their releases for years now. With the strings of EPs and LPs this year, they keep growing stronger. ‘In Distant Terra’ by Andro Gogibedashvili, better known as Saphileaum, is the release that brought my closer attention to the work of this brilliant artist from Tbilisi. Andro’s delicate approach in making grooves with bongo loops that don’t feel boring paired with mesmerizing lush pads is a win-win combination for me. I like when I hear music that can be used and listened to in various settings, and Andro’s phenomenal production is precisely that.
Slava:
SaffronKeira & Claudio PRC - Mare Tranquillitatis [012]
A perfect flow of melancholy, mystery, darkness, anger, catharsis, and redemption all in a 3-track release.
FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2020
Theresa:
KMRU - Peel [Editions Mego]
Kenyan artist KMRU put together an album that is humble and so incredibly human. The 23 minutes of the title track unfold like it was inspired by the movements of migrating birds, in harmony, fragile, and insanely beautiful. This album lifts your soul up to its most divine essence with its unfolding textures.
Elena:
Andrea - Ritorno [Ilian Tape]
It was a great companion for many of the long lonely drives that I learned to enjoy this year. At one moment on the way to the first after a lockdown summer gathering with close friends, I reached a point with a breathtaking view, and Lana played - it was one of those rare, almost cinematic climaxes that will stay with me.
Irina:
Saphileaum - Imaginary Treasure Mountain [NYAME]
Inspired by the old Georgian tales and legends, Georgian artist Andro Gogibedashvili made an impressionistic album that evokes the unfolding universe of meditative sounds, slow-moving rhythms, and picturesque atmospheric soundscapes. It brings back my childhood memories of the beautiful Georgian landscape.
Slava:
nthng - Hypnotherapy [Lobster Theremin]
nthg is an artist with great range and this LP perfectly allows the artist to stretch in many directions, creating a very diverse but always engaging listen.
Abdul:
Soela - Genuine Silk [Dial]
No album comes close to the impact this album made on me. It got me through one of the toughest years of my life. Stellar production and I don’t think I’ve mixed once this year without playing at least one track. Take a bow, Soela.
Zach:
Charles Webster - Decision Time [Miso Records]
Singles from this album have soundtracked quite a few weekend walks, and pensive mornings for me. Popping up at the best times and standing out amongst a veritable sea of other fantastic music. Burial’s mix of ‘The Spell’ is up there in my top tracks of the year and one that caused me to stop a few times in the middle of the sidewalk. To have the body of work out now in its entirety is a beautiful testament to Webster’s legacy.
Gilles:
Khotin - Finds You Well [Ghostly International]
This album was my first introduction to Dylan Khotin-Foote's Khotin project. My better half, Ira sent it to me with 'check it out, maybe you'll like it for your radio show.' That was before it was released, with only two tracks available to listen to. Both I loved. While I was waiting for LP to come out I checked the previous Khotin's work, and that was it, I knew that when ‘Finds You Well’ comes out I’ll just listen to it on repeat! Bull's eye! This style of melancholic electronica can easily go into my favorite genre. It goes back to the mid-'90s and my first introduction to Warp Records and all the brilliant electronica that came out around that time, and this album brings back all the feelings. As the name of the album suggests, 'Finds You Well' (which is a very common joke inside my inner-friend circle), this album not only found me well but made me feel well many times.
FAVORITE MIX OF 2020
Elena:
Laura BCR and Vand - Rinse France 11th May 2020
Ambient/downtempo is what I’ve listened to the most this year. This mix has hit the right cord and put me in the right place - the first hour is an atmospheric meditative introspection; second - a gentle connection with the deep emotions that I was hungry for. Countless hours of reflecting on the way things are, of feeling cared for and contained.
Irina:
DJ Carmel - kfpnyx 019
DJ Carmel’s mix for kfpnyx is a vibrant journey that reminds me of our summer trip with friends to Vermont. We danced to this beautiful mix during the sunset overlooking the endless forest valley of Vermont..
Theresa:
Konstantin - 2020
My favorite mix is maybe not the most likable mix, but the mix that was able to musically narrate this year. This is an eclectic, nerve-wracking journey built around inPlog’s “Holland Tunnel Drive” and Chris Korda’s “Overshoot”. Whilst these centerpieces are pleasing your appetite for mental destruction, the edges of the mixes are incredibly soothing and comforting. And with all the reflections and sufferings, I bet we all had the moment of comfort and deep connection in 2020.
Abdul:
Alien Family @ Contact Tokyo Warm up for DJ Masda
I found this while creeping for DJ Masda mixes and I think it autoplayed after a DJ Masda mix actually. I got distracted while working and half an hour later I decided to check what I was listening to because it didn’t feel like Masda. And what a pleasant surprise it was. An absolute gem of a mix and it’s the perfect warm-up set.
Zach:
Aaron J - TSS podcast 002
One of my personal highlights for 2020 was seeing Aaron J’s name appear under the banner of Will Oirson’s Something Something series. Eclectic, emotive, intricate, there are so many adjectives I could use to describe this mix but for me, it could not have come at a better time as a guide out of the proverbial darkness.
Gilles:
F-on - Paral·lel Festival 2020 Online Edition
I’m a big fan when the DJ gets an opportunity to develop ‘the story’ and takes it with both hands. This 4hr set by F-on (real name Alfonso Pomed) has been my driving companion for several times now, and in my case, that’s a rarity. The set was originally made for the online edition of Paral•el Festival, and what a smooth ride it is. There’s no need to categorize the mix in any specific genre. Alfonso perfectly blends many electronic music corners from Ambient through Deep House to Deep Techno and keeps things moving throughout the whole mix. This is pure class.
Slava:
Konduku - The Memoir Page 46
A unique artist with a unique sound that was able to channel his uniqueness in a perfectly paced mix. And his penchant for broken, odd time signatures, where you can't quite catch the beat, seem to fit this broken year quite well.