This week, we saw the valuation of the global dance music industry slide to a 10-year low in the wake of the pandemic, got a new compilation album from the Monstercat vaults and spoke with Detroit techno icon DJ Minx about her decision to come out as gay during Pride Month.
New music? We’ve got that too. From Jersey club to indie dance, here are the best new dance tracks out this week.
Uniiqu3, “Outside Wit It Freestyle”
From songs like Bree Runway’s “Hot Hot” to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Thot Sh–,” Hot Girl Summer is in full swing, and with Uniiqu3’s new mixtape B—-es Is Outside, Vol. 1, the Jersey club artist is ticking up the temperature a few degrees. “I wanted to get spicy on this one,” she told Complex. “The word ‘b—h’ could be controversial but after seeing so many women in hip-hop and rap use it to empower themselves, it empowered me. It makes me feel powerful, and badass, this mixtape embodies that feeling.”The project’s opener, “Outside Wit It Freestyle,” is an immediate highlight. Its production is sharp, dark and clubby with rumbling bass and punctuating vogue crashes — and dominating a continuous, piercing siren-like synth that recalls the never-ending ambulance wails that have soundtracked much of the last 16 months, Uniiqu3’s snappy rapping rides a wave that’s joyful, confident and celebratory of the summer ahead. As she declares: “I’m vaxed, I’m waxed and I’m feeling like a motherf—ing snack.” — KRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ
No Rome, “Seventeen” (Wave Racer Remix)
Remember when you were 17 and the world was your oyster, but you spent most of the time moping in your room with your headphones on listening to sad songs anyway? London’s No Rome put some of those feelings to wax on his 2018 single “Seventeen,” and we’re getting a big rush from it two years later, thanks to this quirky and cute cover from Wave Racer. The original is a cool, electric R&B ballad. No Rome’s sonic palette isn’t all that far from Wavey’s own, yet the Australian producer still brings a new level of effervescence to the tune with all his signature bubble-pop sounds and dimple-cheek personality. His version still drips with melancholy, but it’s something we can definitely sway to during the forthcoming Wave Racer live shows, which will feature a lot more of his own singing skills, much as this cover has done. – KAT BEIN
Kaleena Zanders, Reload [Reloaded]
After sharing her experience with police brutality last year on her single “Reload,” Kaleena Zanders is bringing her story to the dancefloor with a remix EP, Reload [Reloaded]. The EP, which arrived on June 30 to cap Pride Month and Black Music Month, features new club-faring interpretations from R3LL, Vindata, 12th Planet, Lee Wilson and Koil. It’s a smorgasbord of sound, from R3LL’s Jersey club to Vindata’s beachy electronics, but Wilson takes it back to dance music’s roots with a soulful house rendition. Steeped in a deep groove and full synth chords, the production adds a bittersweet heft to Zanders’ inspiring plea for more love and less hate.“Even though dance music was created by Queer, Black folks, in today’s world Black people have somehow taken a backseat in this genre, and it’s now more shocking than expected to see a Black person thriving in electronic music,” Zanders writes in a statement. “My goal is to normalize seeing Black and BIPOC people united in dance, and that through love and a conscious effort, more people like me will permeate the industry’s gates.” — K.R.
Mano le Tough, “Aye Aye Mi Mi”
Ever just wanna freaking strut? Irish producer Mano le Tough gets it, and his latest single “Aye Aye Mi Mi” is the slow boil indie dance jam that can get any curmudgeon movin’ and groovin’. If you’re in a bad mood, this tune’s got enough cocky edge to go with your sidewalk snarl. If you’re in a good mood, it’s got a bumpin’ beat perfect for bouncing. It’s also a fun lyrical piss-take at our influence-distracted generation. “It’s a kind of reflection on narcissism, social media saturation and the ego,” the artist states in a press release. Very cool vibes, we’re here for it. Double tap. Good thing it’s just a taste of more to come, as Mano le Tough has plans to release an album called At The Moment on the venerable DJ Koze’s label, Pampa Records. “Aye Aye Mi Mi” is the latest single. We’re anxiously awaiting more. — K. Bein
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