5:5:5: XVI. 2022.

Another rich musical spring bubbles up from these sharp-eared selectors,

a collected, collective year of impassioned listening, digging and sound sifting;

behold the hot bounty of tracks, rousing and exciting during 2022.

Big big props to this lot below, dive in and share their aural joy!

|| Damian Evans | Proprio | Ring Modulator ||
| Scaramanga Silk || Alphabets Heaven |
| Rodrigo King Lagoon || Aidan Maartens || Branner Griswell |
|| Kubla Khan | zillagramwiches ||
 | Electric Ape || Stephen Kin;aesthetic || Clas Tuuth |

1.

Kae Tempest -

Salt Coast

[2022, Fiction / American Recordings]

Perhaps the future poet laureate’s finest example to date of their thought provoking and educational lyrics; all backed by goosebump inducing beats and synths.

Their album, The Line Is A Curve, one of the albums of the year, with this being my personal highlight.


2.

Vieux Farka Touré Et Khruangbin - Tongo Barra

[2022, Dead Oceans]

Khruangbin provide the perfect dance floor filling groove to Vieux Farka Toure's reinterpretation of one of his late father's finest songs.


3.

Cate LeBon -

Harbour

[2022, Mexican Summer]

Fresh from producing John Grant's last album in 2021, the prolific LeBon released one of my albums of the year with Pompeii.

As always with LeBon, it's an album brimming with creativity and ideas.

Bursts of sax, clarinet and synth provide a late 70s Bowie feel on this slower paced gem, wihich also features some of LeBon's finest vocals.



4.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs -

Lovebomb

[2022, Secretly Canadian]

A welcome return for the New York legends after a nine year hiatus.

The 8 tracks on latest album, Cool It Down, provide the most sonically epic landscapes of their music to date.

The lush layers of Lovebomb provide the perfect textured accompaniment to Karen O's soulful, idiosyncratic vocals.

5.

Bonobo -

Rosewood

[2022, Ninja Tune]

A stunning collage of trip-hop, synths and a Maxwell sample that peaks with a string crescendo midway through.

Bonobo's latest is a warm symphony of calm to anyone in need of a comedown.

 

1.

Mory Kanté – Yé Ké Yé Ké (The Afro Acid Remix)

[1987, London]

Absolute floor rocker! THAT bassline and the cutting Acid heats up Mory’s iconic refrain, bumpin’ kicks, percussive pressure and cowbells galore, bring such an explosive energy. The Hardfloor mix is always cited, but this searing 1987 version by Martyn Young slams - if you told me this was a remix by Joakim in 2022, I might just believe you!



2.

AEVA - Airhead

[2022, Egg Mantis Records]

Dropped just a few days before the end of 2022, AEVA is hot with PC-Braindance vibes and a vapourwave chaser, fierce production, snapping beatwork and synth lines to melt us all.



3.

Finbar & Eddie Furey - Dance Around the Spinning Wheel

[1969, Transatlantic]

Gorgeous Irish folk song from the Furey brothers, guitar and pipe setting the weighty melancholy tone, laid bare for Eddie’s plaintive refrains - the interplay between pipe and voice brings the electricity, less is definitely more.

Also, the cover photo is amazing!




4.

Etienne Jaumet & Fabrizio Rat - Sentiero

[2020, Bureau B]

Two pianists working in sublime textured harmony, the arc on Sentiero is stratospheric. The sound of gently drifting to and through the edge of space - heavy with atmosphere, yet delicately cloud-like. Piano and synth; modulate and rotate; entwine and align; spinning and spinning; layer on layer; pierced only by those glimpsing percussive rays.


5.

Dieri Coumba - Vahissa

[197?, Safie Deen]

I may not comprehend the words, but this feels deeply spiritual. Raw, affecting, visceral call/response rhythms from the Ivory Coast; wrought percussion compels the message ever forward, Coumba’s commanding song implores attention, the youthful chorus echoing her cries; hard to resist the truth in this pulse.

1.

Ambient Babestation Meltdown & JPS - Dead or Alive

[2022, Optimo]

This is a track from my sort of dancefloor.  The whole EP is great…I really don’t know where this is going, it’s coldly warm, it’s statically funky…..I love Rachel Williams voice…..this is Giallo Techno for the new generation…actually it doesn’t matter who it’s for…it’s great, it’s sinister, sexy, groovy...like an imaginary nightclub soundtrack that should have been in Bladerunner.

2.

Gabe Gurnsey - You Remind Me

[2022, Phantasy Records]

Pounding, resonating, modulating…Diablo is an amazing album and You Remind Me makes the most of both Tilly Morris and Gabe’s vocals like a Peters & Lee harmony to a porn soundtrack of rhythm and electronics that works so well together, so well you want to slam yourself into the wall to that that bass……it’s the space and the bass….it hits just below your bladder.

3.

Pabellón Sinético - The Chair

The Chair [2022, Self Released]

From the album Forms - 8 short form Kosmische/Berlin School tracks from Argentina…absolute bliss, continuing the art to an extreme of high quality.  Stunning synthesis, incredible production, beautiful depth…whilst all the tracks can still drag you in the same way as would a thirty minute piece from Klaus Schulze. I first heard Pabellón via Cyclical Dreams a few years back (an Argentinian Label specialising in Berlin School Electronics et al).

4.

Zombie Zombie - Dissolutum

[2022, Born Bad]

Latin Vocoder Overload in a French 70’s progressive sort of style from Etienne Jaumet and two of his drummer mates. Vae Vorbis is an addictive album full of beautiful analogue synthesis and 808 and proper beats…..it doesn’t get any better than this…Like Simonetti’s Goblin on a disco vibe….best gig of the year…..oh yes…what a feeling.

5.

Peggy Gou - I Go (Soulwax Remix)

[2022, Gudu]

What’s the year???

Oh that Tropical Bird sample? If you want, or is that pitched up Lately Bass piano chords…or is it that Latin Hip Hop bassline…..I know, I know, I Go I Go…oh shut up and dance…..best track of the year for me, everything I love from the past and Soulwax make it perfect…….just try and stop me dancing....don't make me wait.....lol

1.

Diana Ross feat. Tame Impala - Turn Up The Sunshine

[2022, Decca / Universal]

The perfect feel-good party record whether you are 4-years old or 94-years young. An inspired collaboration that proves the legend, Diana Ross, still has her magic. expecially when teamed up with the sparkling talent of Tame Impala. If you enjoyed Pharrell Williams - 'Happy', then this one is for you. 

2.

V.C.R - Blue

[2022, Leaving Records]

Sensational cinematic vibes meet beautiful choral vocals over the most hypnotic rhythm. You cannot help but be drawn into this intoxicating gem.

3.

The Comet Is Coming - Code

[2021, Impulse!]

From a record that captures rave / techno energy through the medium of jazz. These guys appear to have reverse harnessed the work of Laurent Garnier - 'The Man With The Red Face' to stunning effect.

Dancefloor mover guaranteed.

4.

Trian Kayhatu - OK Dan

[2022, BBE]

Hyper-speed electronic-funk number. Cut-ups and glitches whizz past whilst soemehow retaining the boogie. One for the Squarepusher heads.

5.

Los Bitchos - Las Panteras

[2022, City Slang]

Fun. Infectious. Melodic. Catchy. Dancey. Killer instrumental-psychadelic-cumbia-indie-pop with hooks that will not leave you once they enter your dimension.

1.

Tokischa & Treintisiete - Sistema Del Patio

[2022, Paulus Music]

One of my disappointments of 2022 was not hearing this in a club through a huge soundsystem, because I’m pretty sure it would have been one of my favourite moments of the year. The one syllable hook should be a lesson in simplicity, and who doesn’t love savage social commentary over a raw drum beat and 80s dub bass? You will.

2.

A$AP Rocky - D.M.B

[2022, A$AP Rocky Recordings]

This track is pure psychedelia. Somehow effortlessly between DJ Screw sloth and shroomed Yes instrumentals, somehow sounding like a conversation between your dreams and your memories. And also a pretty heartfelt love song.

3.

Floating World Pictures - Fairbairn’s Floating World

[2022, Friendly Recordings]

My favourite live show of the year was seeing the 11 (?) piece, 21st century orchestra Floating World Pictures taking me from a cramped London café to new airy, sublime landscapes. Check out the whole album, but this track includes some great contributions from Alabaster DePlume.

4.

Camel Power Club feat. Racoon Racoon - Drunken Dreams

[2022, Bramar Records]

There is this DJ called Dan Digs that makes excellent playlists of country music, and this was a standout for me on his psychedelic playlist. It sounds like the drive back home from a life changing road trip with your favourite individuals.

5.

Kelela - The High (Heavee & DJ Spinn Remix)

[2015, Warp]

This is from 2015 but I heard it for the first time this year on Scratcha DVAs NTS show and have probably played it once a week since then. It’s in the moody halftime sub-genre of footwork, repeating a 2 bar Kelela line until it’s it feels like it’s inside of your cerebellum. Around this orbits a every 808 cosmos of rhythms.

Also Kendrick Lamar


1.

Maimouna Seck (aka Sonna Seck) - Tourou Tourou (Tour Tour)

[2018, Self-Released]

On a visit to Lisbon, I was wandering up through one of the quieter little cobbled residential lanes to the top of the main summit in an old part of the city centre. I heard a small but delightful sound coming out of someone's cute, squashed little house. Despite feeling a little awkward hanging around right next to someone's front door, I had to turn back and take a more careful listen. A slightly shifty-looking chap hanging out at the beginning of the lane who had given me a bit of an enquiring look when I walked past now did so more intently and I explained I liked what I was hearing. After deciding the sound was indeed a definite banger, I plucked up the courage to knock on the door to find out what the song was. A sleepy young woman opened the door. Although I speak Brazilian Portuguese pretty much fluently, Portuguese in Portugal is quite different... and it didn't seem Portuguese was even this lady's first language.

With some probably confusing gestures and then pointing to Shazam on my phone, it seemed as if she had decided what I was asking and went towards her computer where the music was playing. She went past the computer through another door, quickly coming back with a baguette and a framed picture of princess Diana. I thought the best thing to do would be to give a big thumbs up and a smile.... with which, her eyes lit up and she gestured excitingly for me to come in. I of course obliged and she quickly had us sit down and set about destroying the baguette with our teeth, which turned out to contain a delicious marmalade, whilst she made approving gestures and sounds at the picture of Diana.

Ok that's not what happened... she basically just showed me the song.

Sonna Seck's voice is sweet but with a delicate strength too. If auto tune is being used it's subtle and a nice effect. The guitars and flute weave delicious uplifting melodies!


2.

Los Cameroes - Ma Wde Wa

[2021 Re, Analog Africa]

Like dancing gently on clouds in a dream, gazing into the eyes of someone you really fancy.


3.

Rlvo Doza - Misa Zanako

[2003 Re, Earthworks/Sterns]

Need to learn to play guitar like this! Wish I could jump on a plane to Madagascar (where the music is from) and do that!


4.

Joya Landis - Angel of the Morning

[1968, Trojan]

One of a number of covers of this song and the best! Somehow I hadn't felt like I'd heard it till this year.

5.

Lana Del Rey (feat. The Weeknd) - Lust for Life

[2017, Universal/Interscope]

Hopefully not too mainstream to be worth a mention but it's become one of my favourites of the year for sure.

Love the melodies, The Weeknd's voice and it's mood.

1.

Andrew Wasylyk - Dreamt in The Current of Leafless Winter

[2021, Clay Pipe Music]

Find a chair and settle into it, put on your good headphones. This opening one starts without strong edges: pulsating, droney synths and looping plinky things that might be glockenspiels, while a quivering saxophone never quite breaks through. The drums and bass and piano give the successive sections more structure. A simple and lovely descending-then-ascending, six-note melody ties it all together. Two thirds in, a killer melody with vocals in unison that might lead water to well behind your eyes. It finishes with the same droney ambience it began with, completing the circle, and even if something in you might hope for that lovely melody to start up again, you see the track has been going on for sixteen minutes and, yeah, it feels about right to end now.

2.

Midwife & Amulets – Heaven

[2020, Flenser]

Another sixteen-minute song – sorry, but you’re still sitting, your muscles have relaxed into the contours of the chair now, your ears are ready for another round, you still have half a cup of hot tea on the side table. This one, though, is completely different, from a single hypnotic palette. Unchanging three-note bass line, vocals sounding like they were recorded at a séance and at layered into beautiful harmonies. One to zone out to.

3.

Benoit B - Weekend Girl

[2016, Peur Bleue]

After all that introspective sitting, why not stand up, shake yourself out and shuffle around the house in your socks for five minutes to this. All twinkling and propulsive, you pump your fists to the emphatic tom toms, and humming along to the synths picture east Asian cityscapes lit up at night.

4.

Soundwalk Collective w/ Patty Smith - Ivry (Laraaji Love of My Life Remix)

[2022, Bella Union]


Now the blood is flowing down to your feet and out to your fingers, you can sit back down. It’s time for a journey. Insects and birds call as water runs past (or it’s someone walking through the water). I don’t really know what to make of this piece but the balance between the ‘landscape/soundscape’ and straight ‘music’ parts are just lovely. Maybe it’s this – you’re walking through the river and each of the parts of the landscape has its own soundtrack, like in a computer game: the sombre and brassy synths of an imposing city, the village with a lone lady in a broad hat with her feet hanging over the water strumming a guitar, who is then joined then by someone playing what might be a zither (who knows), and then some merry singers later on, one by one as you carry on down the river.

5.

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus

[1999, Sony Classical]


After all that, something slow and beautiful to conclude the evening. Stir the ice in your whiskey – open the curtains and look out of the window on a new city you are alone in, as in a bar somewhere beyond the man with white centrally parted hair and glasses plays a piano in the corner. His aching and stirring melodies might remind you of Debussy, and it’s started to rain outside, the people hurrying back home.

1.

Eddie Harris -

I Don’t Want Nobody

[1975, Atlantic]

“Like some NO2 gospel Billie Holiday this track kicks off and then Eddie takes it into a territory a budding Prince must have taken some notes.

One of the best funk purveyors and coolest underrated cats of jazz. This one is in anthem territory if you goin through some… troubles… you know?”

2.

Gene Vincent -

Slow Times Comin’

[1970, Kama Sutra]

More known for the early rockabilly style but I have to say his later output stands up. Not enough to go full psychedelic but just enough to mix into this rocker.

It just got in all the right ways for coming out the pandemic mental sludge. Carpe Diem 2023.

 3.

Roberto Musci -

Water Music

[2016, Music From Memory]

Gorgeous album from the Italian composer interpreting African field recordings over the span of his lifetime travels.

Mixed delicately with synth and electronics, every track is compelling to me. Love the “Ups and Downs of Chewing Gum” as well.

4.

Björk - Allow

[2022, One Little Independent]

As a former clarinetist, Fossora is on another plane - perhaps a subterranean mycelium one but this track the flutes are the hyphae breaking through to the surface.

Partially understandable as this album was in response to her mother’s passing. In this context the song takes on a prayer-like plea. It’s Bjork!



 5.

Cate Le Bon -

Dirt on the Bed

[2022, Mexican Summer]

This is the intro track on a thoroughly enjoyable album - not a bad track to be had.

Harbour and Moderation are the stellar pop standouts but something about the instrumentation, phrasing and lyrics make Dirt on the Bed the standout track for me.

1.

Roger Roger et Son Orchestra - Dynamovement no. 4

[1974, Chappell]

I became fixated with French library this year and the Francophile nature of this year’s mid-70’s selections are appropriately indicative.

Roger Roger and his Studio Ganaro pals were especially creative from the mid 60’s onward and I would have loved to have had the opportunity to spend time watching them work at Ganaro, located about 16 km outside Paris.



2.

Camille Sauvage – Ballet Vaudou

[1976, Crea Sound]

Clarinettist Sauvage (Eric Framond) was another Roger Roger contemporary and together, forged exciting, enlightened music. Recorded at the aforementioned Studio Ganaro, this LP is wondrous, experimental and exotic.


3.

Beauvarlet - Carriole

[1976, CBS]

Not a library record, Quelle Belle Soirée is a strange, quixotic release by vocalist Patrick Beauvarlet. The LP at times draws upon psych, prog and funk but the whole LP is beautifully beguiling and enchanting.



4.

Pierre-Alain Dahan Et Slim Pezin - Electronic Mutation

[1976, Tele Music]

Drummer and guitarist Dahan and Pezin bring the noise with this ridiculously strong and consistent library record on the indomitable tele music label.

Driving, dynamic and so very compelling, I wonder what French TV shows were humbled by this number’s indelible brilliance.


5.

Arpadys - Monkey Star

[1977, Polydor/Sirocco]

Cosmic, spatial disco pioneers Arpadys were spoilt for choice in terms of skilled, progressive minded musicians: among them, aforementioned drummer Pierre-Alain-Dahan and guitarist Slim Pezin as well as supreme bass maestro Sauveur Mallia and keyboardist Georges Rodi. Caned by Daniele Baldelli, this prescient tune was composed by both Dahan and Mallia.

1.

Hiroki Kikuta - The Holy Intruder (Secret of Mana OST)

[1993, NTT/Square Enix Co LTD]

Crazy song, highly recommend listening to the original (SNES) and remastered versions. Very different and both very beautiful. One feels modern and ahead of its time. The other very historic and thematic. Almost religious sounding in the remaster. Its great.

2.

Toby Fox - Dating Start! (Undertale OST)

[2015, Toby Fox/Materia Collective]

This song marks significant moment in Undertale. And a very funny one. It accompanies a battle scene in which the fight is an aggressive date in attempt to win your friendship. High energy and pumps you up for the battle that ensues.


3.

Takenobu Mitsuyoshi - Sky High (Daytona USA OST)

[1996, Sega Enterprises]

Nothing to say about this one other than absolute banger. Along with the rest of the Daytona arcade sound track from the original machine. A lot of fun, and good grooves.

4.

Disasterpiece - The Midnight Wood (Hyper Light Drifter OST)

[2016, Self Released]

Emotionally gripping. Cascading melodies, that float across a melancholic bed of synthy and almost organic sounds. This whole sound track is a must listen for me. Always recommended.

5.

Arnaud Roy - Celluloid - (Dungeon of the Endless OST)

[2021 Re, G4F Records]

The sound track to DOTE is highly underrated. The game is also. The music really sells the atmosphere for the simplistic buy stylised visuals.

Such a great example of how sound track can fully elevate a game into high feelings of immersion even if it is 2 dimensional.

1.

Peter Michael Hamel -

Beyond the Wall of Sleep

[1977, Wergo]

Stephen Kin;Aesthetic played this in a chilled record afternoon. I fell in love with the track straight away, like a glorious mashup of Steve Reich, Terry Riley and Eberhard Schoener.

Hypnotic. And those string synths man! (Also, don’t confuse this Peter Michael Hamel with Peter Hammill of prog rock band Van der Graf Generator, erm like I did.)

2.

Source Direct -

Exit- 9

[1995, Source Direct Recordings]

You know when a DJ drops crates’ loads of rare jungle and d’n’b at the charity shop? Like never. Well, this happened back in January and much amusing wrestling with Messrs Kubler Khan and Kin;Aesthetic ensued.

This was just one of the choices from that golden period as jungle transformed to drum and bass. It’s all in the Amens (as well as being as moody as).

3.

Zombie Zombie -

War is Coming

[2022, Born Bad]

Quite possibly one of the best gigs of the year when French band Zombie Zombie (aka Etienne Jaumet on synths with Cosmic Neman and Jérôme Lorichon both on drums) played Brighton’s Hope & Ruin. Amazing gig.

That SH101 (my first and much-loved synth) doing major service to the basslines. Everyone dancing. Magnifique!

4.

Djrum - Sex

[2018, R&S]

Heard a track from this album on the always excellent Radio Reverb – a fantastic mix of piano, cellos, voices, fierce percussion and bass, all expertly crafted and produced.

Don’t know how I missed this first time round from the wonderful R&S records. Glad to see R&S back in the game.

5.

Concretism -

The Thetford Beast Investigation Society

[2022, Castles in Space]

Following on from my hauntological explorations by Ghost Box records, I’ve been listening to a lot of Castles in Space records this year and saw some of the acts live (including the excellently named Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan.)

All great retro stuff.

This is a strong track from the ever-reliable Concretism. Glorious analogue synths underpinned by a Carpenter-esque bassline.

 

1.

⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ - ࿃ूੂ࿃ूੂੂ࿃ूੂOOOOOOOOOOOO　̟̞̝̜̙̘̗̖҉̵̴̨̧̢̡̼̻̺̹̳̲̱̰̯̮̭̬̫̪̩̦̥̤̣̠҈͈͇͉͍͎͓͔͕͖͙͚͜͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢ͅ ooooooooo

[2020, Self-released]

Kieran Hebdan's symbol encoded alias, rejecting semantics in favour of Wingdings entitled abstractions; disrupting delivery, defying memory and eschewing any notion of easy discovery or linguistic meaning; amazing… I’d heard a few, but became hypnotised on hearing ࿃ूੂ࿃ूੂੂ࿃ूੂOOOOOOOOOOOO　̟̞̝̜̙̘̗̖҉̵̴̨̧̢̡̼̻̺̹̳̲̱̰̯̮̭̬̫̪̩̦̥̤̣̠҈͈͇͉͍͎͓͔͕͖͙͚͜͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢ͅ ooooooooo earlier this year. A swaying sitar sample and jittering tabla bursts, underpin a beautiful cacophonic wash of arpeggiating rings, harmonics, chimes and vocal drones. At once, bounding with childlike naivety and joy, while wrapped as a startling, complex, poly-rhythmic collage. Perhaps my favourite Hebden production since the mighty Locked, total stunner.

2.

Roedelius - Sonnengeflecht

[1981, Sky / 2021, Bureau B]

Another that ended up on repeat during 2022, sublime subdued melodic electronics from Roedelius’ Wenn Der Südwind Weht LP. Filtered out drum machine cycles, slow groove bass rhythms and floatation tank synth lines, all leading to something of an ecstatic, aquatic synth-psych dream world; get lost in this track for weeks.

3.

The Korgis - Boots and Shoes

[1979, Rialto]

One of those bands that somehow seems both wildly under-rated and under-represented, I found a copy of the self-titled debut LP in a charity shop and thoroughly adored it in 2022. Boots and Shoes shines as a would-be/should-be New Wave, Synth Pop classic; wonderfully quirky, euphoric Brit-Art-Pop, embalmed with glorious analogue synths and production.

As a random aside, I can’t help but wonder whether Bangalter and Homem-Christo were fans of that killer Korgis synth aesthetic.

4.

New Vision - Way of Life

[1994, Fundamental]

The excitement of happening upon a stash of 94/95’ Jungle in a charity shop with Electric Ape, Kubla Khan and Ring Modulator - luckily Ring Modulator ain’t into the amens, so the 3 of us fought it out! Picked this one up, and listening back through, it stood out a London mile for me; pressed at 33 on the 12”, it’s the slow-burning, boundary-pushing, epic b-side. A hyper nervous, two-stepping/Jungle hybrid at the vanguard, all jittery breaking beats, rattling sub drops and sharp vocal cuts, When You Touch Me Bay-Be… properly proto.

5.

Tahira Sayed – Abhi To Main Jawan

[1972, Columbia]

Draped with emotion and intensity, a stirring, undulating, sombre ghazal from Pakistan’s Tahira Sayed, backed by the ephemeral electronic keys of cult composer, Sohail Rana. This bluest of sapphires exhilarates with muted, empathetic strings, Tahira’s divine voice lulls, while on this copy at least, the gentlest of vinyl sways, seems to add sympathy to the wholly thrilling, fulfilling affair.

1.

April - 54321 (ATRIP Remix)

[2022, Atlantic/April Lawlor]

I don’t know much about either April or A-Trip, but there's really lots to like about this track. I heard it in a coffee shop so I asked what was playing and they said they didn’t know (and shrugged to indicate that they didn't much care either) because they just put on a playlist. So, I quickly Shazammed it and here it is.

April has a lovely voice and the vocalised synth hook is great. It also has the sort of clarity in production that I strive for. My mixes always get a bit muddy the more I play with a song and I end up having to EQ things about a ton to get even close to something as clean as this. 

2.

Deca feat. Ichiban and DJ AWHAT! - Flight Path

[2022, Coalmine]

Smoking Gun is a great album which came out in May this year, and this is the standout track for me. Really love the production on the drums and simple bassline and the flutes remind me a bit of Lootpack-era Madlib, but with a bit more of a strut to it.

3.

Marlowe - Past Life

[2022, Mello Music]

Marlowe is easily my favourite hip-hop group of the moment, and their show in London was actually the first gig I went to post lockdown, so I've got quite a sentimental attachment to the new album (Marlowe 3) for that reason too. It was a toss up between this track and Light Trip for my 555 list.

This is the slightly more obvious choice as it was the lead single from the album. I went back and forth, but sometimes the obvious is just the right choice to make, so here we are.

4.

Jorja Smith - Rose Rouge (Joy Orbison Remix)

[2022, Blue Note]

By not veering too far off the original track (this is a remix of Jorja Smith’s cover of a St. Germain classic) I can still lean in to the nostalgia I was indulging in during lockdowns, but the remix lifts it into something genuinely new and fresh sounding, so it hits a perfect spot for me in 2022. It really hits its stride at 1:40 when the synth kicks in.

5.

Floating Points - Problems

[2022, Ninja Tune]

Same sort of deal here as with the Joy Orbison remix. There's a very nostalgic foundation in use of the drum break, but as a whole it feels really fresh and immediate. It's been great to feel like we're so close to normality now, despite the start of the year being still being punctuated with navigating different comfort levels over things like whether masks should be worn and ending the year (in my case) by getting covid a second time.

Music like this bridges the gap for me from my mental state of being locked inside to being more social and open to the outside world again, so I'm very grateful for it. Excellent running music I found too.

It’s always such a pleasure to read through these and much appreciation to the selectors above for finding the time and energy to filter their vast listening down to 5 tracks - It’s a labour of love, as is preparing these posts, and for me the treat is absorbing the passionate words and listening through the collective cache and personal picks. A proud selection of wonderful music to explore, from a breadth of artists, labels and locations - Bandcamp might have been bought by Epic in 2022, but it currently remains one of THE best spots to explore & support music(ians), new & old! We hope you find some musical love in this here post!

Last years’ 2021 5:5:5: selections can be found over here: