The season is finally underway. As producers and labels vie for the golden ticket of summer anthem, we pick out a few of our favourite releases from the past month.
Although there are already some early forerunners, we reckon all of the below have the potential to soundtrack Ibiza 2018.
Maceo Plex | Mutant DX | Correspondant | 18 May
Long-term fans of Maceo Plex will know that he's been playing this for years, so it's great that it's finally seeing the light of day. With Maceo curating several dates for Pyramid, plus appearances at Afterlife and RESISTANCE, the American DJ is keeping busy on the island post-Mosaic.
Much like 2014's Conjure, this release forms part of wider series – so expect more instalments throughout the summer, right up until the end of the season. One thing's for certain: it's great having Plex back on Amnesia's Terrace.
Tim Green | Her Future Ghost | Cocoon Recordings | 18 May
Taken from the LP of the same name, Her Future Ghost is an atmospheric, downtempo number perfect for those twilight hours at the end of the night as day begins to break. The entire body of work is worth checking out. Tim Green's sci-fi inspired concept album is a true modern masterpiece and underlines why he has become an increasingly pivotal contributor to the Cocoon label.
Weiss | Feel My Needs | Toolroom | 5 May
Arriving amid a flurry of Toolroom releases, this is a classic slab of piano-driven house, which screams summer anthem. It's just feel-good, sunshine vibes – in a nutshell, perfect for Ibiza. It even includes a hefty dose of 303 acid plus that instantly catchy hook. Weiss has done it again.
If we were to make an educated guess, you'll be hearing this one lots at the likes of Defected and ABODE this summer.
Cedric Gervais | Do It Tonight | Delecta Records | 25 May
We'll no doubt be hearing this radio-friendly vocal head nodder lots at Pacha – Tuesdays and Thursdays in particular. The Frenchmen has a knack of plucking catchy, distortion-heavy vocals for his dance-floor weapons. In this case, the sample is taken from an SOS Band's record from the 80s, one you can belt out and sing along with – a real guilty pleasure.
Newman (NYC) | Breath of the Souls | All Day I Dream | 11 May
With 2018 being the year Ibiza embraced the “desert house” sound with a slew of new parties, we reckon we could be hearing this one a lot. Chilled out, chiringuito vibes which can carry you through the late afternoon to dusk on the crest of a zephyr. Effortlessly deep, it is perfect for those eye-closed moments beachside.
Above & Beyond | Red Rocks | Anjunabeat | 15 May
As trance launches a revival on the island with the news of PvD and Nick Ferguson's new SHINE project, we're reminded of the unwavering popularity of electronic music's most maligned subgenre.
Above & Beyond themselves play a single key date, mid-season. The trio deputises for Armin at Hï Ibiza, taking over the Theatre in what is set to be one of the events of the summer. This is their latest offering: melodic, soaring vocals and just the right level of Balearic influence.
Timo Maas & Basti Grub | We Were Riding High (Alternate Version) | Mobilee | 18 May
With Timo Maas embarking on a new residency at Sankeys this summer, it's fitting he has returned with new music. This one is a collaboration with Basti Grub, who is also part of the roster for IDOL. This could become a Tuesday night anthem in the Basement. And we feel it's the kind of vocal and off-kilter essence that a certain Mladen Solomun might just take a fancying to.
Pryda | Elements| Pryda Recordings | 18 May
There is always hype when Eric Prydz releases new material – and this is no exception. Earlier this month, he returned under his Pryda-guise – his outlet for instrumental, credible progressive house music.
Of course, the Swedish superstar is back on Tuesday nights at Hï Ibiza in an extended run from his residency last year. All the tracks here fit within the remit of that residency, but the title track is our pick of the bunch - seems custom-made to accompany dazzling production and jaw-dropping visuals.
Alias (UK) | The Event | Drumcode | 7 May
With Drumcode getting their own showcase at RESISTANCE later this summer, and Adam Beyer playing everywhere from Labyrinth to Paradise, 2018 really is the Year of the ‘Code. We anticipate this getting a few airings at all the big techno parties – ideal for high ceilings and booming sound systems. Unrelenting, breakneck BPM that will continue doing some serious damage on the dance floor.
GW Harrison | Spaceman | Sola | 18 May
Love it or hate it, tech house still dominates as one of the number one sounds on the island. We couldn't complete this month's list without at least one dalliance with the genre, so we've plucked one from the top tier.
Arriving on Solardo's Sola imprint and sampling a memorable quote from cult classic Human Traffic, Spaceman comes courtesy of ABODE regular GW Harrison. A drop sure to send the dance floor epileptic. Get ready to get spaced out.
We will be back next month with our latest round of selections. If that were not enough to satisfy your cravings, why not check-out our designated Spotify playlists, which we update regularly throughout the season.
