Finishing the year in style with twenty mixtapes we enjoyed the most in December from DJs around the world that kept us sane and fit. As usual, there are mixes that fit different settings. From moments of solitude to home gatherings and dinner parties, long road trips and intense workouts, we hope you’ll find an ideal soundtrack on this list.

Martinou (live) - Nous’klaer Radio #35

Malmö-based Martinou had an incredible end of the year. A month or so ago, he released ‘Rift’, one of the albums of the year in 2021 on Nous’klaer Audio, and a few weeks ago, surprised us with this magnificent live set packed with lots of unreleased material. Yes, please, Martinou!

John Talabot - DJ set @ Nitsa, Barcelona, 17 Dec 2021

The recordings of John Talabot's extended mixes are ear candy for everyone here at Delayed. Having seen him in action here in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, this recording came as an ideal continuation of the fantastic vibe Talabot creates when behind the decks. The recording is from Barcelona's Nitsa. Three hours of ever-evolving groove.

Nadia Struiwigh - Bleep Mix #218

One of our favorite producers here at Delayed, Nadia Struiwigh, made yet another wonderful mixtape that will transcend you to another galaxy. Here's what Nadia said about the mix: "This is an Ambient focussed mix with some "Tracy Sci-Fi" vibes, basically because I love the feeling of getting lost in this kind of frequencies. It makes me paint pictures and recreate memories in my mind. As I released my Ambient album Pax Aurora on Nous'Klaer this year, I wanted to combine some own tracks with tracks of some legends I'm really inspired by. This mix will build-up, so you can just ease into it. Enjoy the trip!"

Sunju Hargun - Paramida’s Rinse FM radio show, 25 Dec 2021

The Siamese Twins record label founder, super talented producer, and all-around great DJ, Sunju Hargun, takes you for a ride through mystic depths of ambient, downtempo, slow-paced techno, trance, and beyond in his latest mix for Paramida's Rinse FM radio show. It's a very well-paced mix that is the ideal partner for a road trip.

SKY H1 - Dekmantel Podcast 365

A few weeks ago, incredibly talented multi-disciplinary Brussels-based artist SKY H1 released her debut album 'Azure,' which stole the hearts of everyone here at Delayed. As a perfect companion to the album comes this mix, exclusive for the Dekmantel podcast series in which SKY H1 further explores breaks, complex dub rhythms, and lush ambient atmospheres.

Claudio PRC & Laura BCR - Deepartment Fall #3 at Radio D59B

The third installment of the Deepartment radio show features a doubleheader from one of the most exciting DJs from Berlin's vibrating underground scene. Recorded live at Berlin's cozy coffee shop/listening bar D59B this almost four-hour set is a collection of carefully constructed, intricately layered tracks that will relax your mind.

F-ON - Habitación con Vistas Podcast 25

One of the finest music curators we have had a chance of listening and collaborating with, Madrid-based Alfonso Pomeda, aka F-ON, needs no introduction. Each mix by Alpenglüchen founder seems like a music lesson in which you discover new artists and record labels and get reminded of some brilliant music you simply forgot about. Luckily we have F-ON to keep us in check. Another brilliant mix, Alfonso!

Avalon Emerson - live in London (6 hour DJ set), Oct 2021

All-nighters are like the final exam in one's DJ learning curve. Getting an opportunity and trust from the nightclub to do it is challenging itself, and then delivering and taking the crowd for a journey is quite a task. Pacing, especially at the beginning of the night when the dance floor is still 'fragile,' is of utmost importance. Avalon Emerson's six-hour mix from London's Village Underground checks all the boxes for a fantastic listening experience. Avalon said this about the set: On Oct 6th, 2021, about two years after my last set in London, I played from open to close (11pm to 5am) at Village Underground in Shoreditch. Here's a recording of the whole night with a bit of the crowd noise.

Perhaps a full tracklist at some point... some unreleased stuff in here.

Even though it had been a while, we had all night so no use in rushing things! I came across a lot of lovely music this year, but it mostly lived in my rekordbox or in a radio mix. I actually record a lot of my sets, but it always feels like they're in a constant state of iteration, making it hard to pick just one "version" to release. Over the years, I feel like this has led me to only very sparingly drop live-recorded sets. A "party" doesn't often lend itself to the archivable realm, maybe the memories are best suited to the ephemeral.

Anyway, eternal gratitude crystals to those who came and those who danced, and to those listening now.

Hisham Zahran - Fading Hearts

One of my favorite 'end-of-year mixes' comes from Hisham Zahran, who, year after year, keeps making fantastic mixtapes that I gladly go back and re-listen. This year's mix is a beautiful eclectic tale named 'Fading Hearts.' This is what Hisham said about it: I've been working on this one for over four years, if it was up to me it probably would have taken me a bit longer to wrap it up, between procrastinating and always thinking I can do better. But in the end, just like the previous ones I think life decides for me in some way. Music from Aphex Twin, Lone, Schacke, Nils Frahm, Ryuichi Sakamoto & others. Enjoy

Molly invites Soela, Rinse FM, 25 Dec 2021

What a lovely 'double header' to close the year. Our two favorite artists Giegling and Dial Records affiliates, Molly and Soela, joined forces for the final episode of Molly's Rinse FM radio show in 2021. As usual in this format, DJs split one hour each. In this case, Molly sets the tone during the first hour with a beautiful track selection that evolved from an ambient and downtempo house into a lush deep house which then Soela developed even further with few break beat and off-kilter tracks.

Lord Of The Isles - Dusk Delay 006

New Dusk Delay = new brilliance from Lord Of The Isles. LOTI delivers a deep and reflective mix to close out 2021. The mix features new music from labels such as ESP Institute, AD93, and Nous'klaer Audio to name a few.

Lychee - Sunrise at Locked Groove, 13 Nov 2021

Tour de Force by Brooklyn-based Lychee. The set recorded at Locked Groove in November bursts of energy and moody moments that make it super enjoyable to listen to. We bet that whoever was on the dance floor while dancing to this had a hell of a good time. Well done, Lychee! 

HVL - Isolatedmix 115

Tbilisi-based HVL delivers a well-constructed ambient mix for the Isolatedmix series full of rich atmospheres, drone undercurrents, and peaceful oscillations, an ideal partner for self-reflection.

Heliopora - On The 5th Day Podcast #146

The co-founder of Melifera Records, the French imprint we have collaborated with a few times in the past, Heliopora delivers a trippy deep excursion heavily influenced by dub techno. ‘This ambient-esque set, in particular, evokes those moments when you enter into a new world filled with deep blue hues, the rays of light glistening through, shining onto the fish, algae, and anemone surrounding you. It recreates those tangible moments as your head goes underwater, the sound around you changes, and the salt prickles your skin’, as stated in the mix description.

Planet Uterus - To All Lovers

A few weeks ago, a mysterious German producer that goes by many different monikers (Traumprinz, Prince Of Denmark, DJ Metatron, Prime Minister of Doom, DJ Healer, Irini are just some of them) released a four-part compilation series named “To All - Dreamers, Dancers, Lovers, Believers”. Each compilation is a blissful collection of carefully selected tracks that are very enjoyable to listen to. It was hard to pick one but for this occasion, we’ll go with the third part called “To All Lovers”, featuring tracks by Carla Dal Forno, Grouper, Tropic Of Cancer, John Beltran, and Sebastian Mullaert to name a few.

Lux - “See You Soon”, Ambient Mix XL

In the past year or so, RJ's ‘See You Soon’ podcast series has become one of our HQ's 'must listen' series. The latest gem in the series comes from Lux. During this 70min trip, Lux creates a relaxing atmosphere with complex drone substrata, emotional undertow, and warm, tactile soundscapes.

Midland - HNYPOT 400

It's always exciting when DJs like Midland take us for longer rides, in this case, a marvelous three-hour eclectic journey as a part of Honey Sound System's Potcast series. Whoever is interested in the tracklist, Midland made a 'buy music club' playlist, and for others who don't care about these things, clear your schedule, open your heart, and enjoy the ride.

Lola Haro - Picnic Podcast 014

Lola Haro stole our hearts some time ago, made quite a statement with her outstanding contribution to our 'Delayed with...' series, and ever after continued to push the bar higher with each new mixtape she makes. In her latest mix for Picnic Records' podcast series, Lola explores the depths of dub and micro house, which do magic during the late nights on the dance floor.

Paduan & Vand - Balamii, December 2021

Another 'double header' on the list is courtesy of Paduan and Delayed's favorite, Vand. This two-hour mix is a tranquil escapade that is deeply meditative made of contemplative soundscapes, delicate field recordings, and tender emotions. Paduan is on during the first hour of the mix, and Vand takes over in the second part.

Donato Dozzy - Tomorrow is Forever x RAdio Alhara #11

The Italian music maestro, Donato Dozzy, can do no wrong. A bit shorter than an hour, Donato delivers a truly incredible journey made of ambient, jazz, and downtempo tales.