Organic New Music Friday #2

Happy Friday! We’re welcoming the weekend with our second instalment of the ones-to-watch - this week's releases are all seriously diverse and not to be missed. Hope you enjoy!

Laika – Half Moon

Described as a “hazy tale of lost souls wondering the redbrick streets”, Laika’s new track Half Moon reignites the charm of his previous tracks, such as Oxytocin, and transports you straight to a hazy autumn in Hyde Park. A part of well-established Leeds label ReadyMeal Sound, Laika collaborates with Ben Nimmo's delightful sax melodies, Alfie Auckett's bassline and Pixie Cola's angelic vocals to produce a dreamy, synth-ladled number - propped up by his usual in elegant hip-hop beats. You can preview the music video on his Instagram now - with Luke Goodman (@loker197) capturing the serenity of the track through some seriously skilled camera work.

Half Moon is out on October 1st on all platforms - pre-save available here.

Bakey - Take It Further EP

Rising artist of Leeds Bakey is not one to be stopped, with yet another release last week on Time Is Now. Take It Further has all the electro-infused, wonderfully industrial UKG you could need, only further placing him on the map of ones to watch in both Leeds and London. You can catch Bakey in person at Papa Nugs’ upcoming socially-distanced event Flavas, next month at Sheaf Street.

Take It Further is out now on Bandcamp via Time Is Now.

Breaka - The Ambush

Premiering on Definite Party Material, The Ambush is Breaka's latest experiment in the drums he knows best, releasing this jungle-laden breaks number on Manchester-based label Off Beat records. Alike his previous work, this track is sophisticated in conviction, layering transient birdsong samples on top of ambient synths and a crisp 808.

The Ambush is out now to listen and share on Soundcloud, and will be available to buy on October 2nd on Bandcamp.

Stiir – Could Be Better

Stiir bring a daydream to life with nostalgic and dreamy track Could Be Better, featuring the daziest of guitars and harmonies that capture the best of the summer in 3 minutes. After a lockdown of producing music apart, London-based three-piece Stiir have returned ready to create more music to warm you through the winter.

Could Be Better is out now on Soundcloud.

Mystique - Highly Active

Mystique's new track Highly Active is part of Manchester-based label Portable Storage Unit's new VA, titled ARCHIVE01. Curating an interplanetary selection of heavily electronic tunes, Mystique's contribution doesn't fail to deliver. Highly Active is a project intended to create energy and nostalgia, suspending a rolling kick sample throughout to do just this, resulting in a 7-minute long exploration into delightful breakbeat and techno sounds.

Highly Active is out on 25th September on Bandcamp, as part of VA ARCHIVE01 via Portable Storage Unit. You can listen to previews here on Souncloud.

DJ Breathing Exercise - Who You Think You're Frontin On

Up last but not least for this week, Bristol producer DJ Breathing Exercise has released an absolute belter of a remix of Rihanna's Bitch Better Have My Money. This bass-heavy flip teases breaks throughout, pairing it with a roaring sub and a load of Rihanna's gorgeous vocals. Since missing the experience of live music and soundsystems, DJ Breathing Exercise (aka Liam Callanan) has spent the span of isolation experimenting with producing hard club edits, resulting in this track.

Who You Think You're Frontin On is out now on Soundcloud.