During the dull days of January, we enjoyed numerous uplifting dance floor-friendly mixes. There are also some mixtapes suitable for moments of laziness, but in general, be ready to dance.

Polygonia at Positive Education Festival 2021

A few weeks ago, St.Etienne-based festival Positive Education published many recordings from its latest edition that happened in June last year. It would be a daunting task to go through all of them, but from the ones that we were interested in listening to, the mix from Polygonia, IO records co-founder, stood up. Polygonia has brushed her style of groovy percussive techno to perfection, and this recording proves us correct. 85 minutes of very well executed late-night techno extravaganza.

Mary Lake at DOGMA x Nous’klaer ADE 2021

Good people from Nous'klaer Audio uploaded the sets from their party at last year's ADE. The party took place at Borisov, and it featured names like Lawrence Le Doux, Mattheis, Eversines, Upsammy, Konduku, and Mary Lake, to name a few. We'll feature a couple of mixes on our list this month, and the first one is by Mary Lake. This mix is a real tour de force that is energetic, fast-paced, and intricate. Mary blurs the lines between fast-paced techno, electro, and breaks with such ease.

XDB - Albion Tapes 035

When it comes to house music, not many DJs can stand shoulder to shoulder with XDB. As a vinyl collector for more than three decades, XDB takes us for a unique ride with each new mix that always feels fresh and groovy no matter the release date. There's only good and bad music, and XDB has tons of former. His mix for Albion Tapes is a pure delight to listen to.

Laurent Garnier - EPM Podcast #148

If I have to pick one DJ that had the most significant influence when I first started listening to electronic music in the '90s, it would be Laurent Garnier without thinking. Even after 30+ years, the legendary French DJ delivers captivating, innovative, and fun mixes to listen to. The podcast Garnier made for EPM is a dark, trippy vision of techno that transforms with ease into an uplifting house and breakbeat towards to end.

Paramida - Phonica Mix Series 92

The latest mix in the Phonica mix series comes from Panorama Bar Resident Paramida, who delivers a feel-good house mix that works as a remedy for Monday blues.

Facta and K-Lone - Dekmantel Podcast 366

Wisdom Teeth masterminds, Facta, and K-Lone, don't mean to slow down. After a series of brilliant releases in the past year, the Bristol-based pair graced us with this gorgeous mixtape. This one-hour journey levitates mainly in the house music realm, with occasional trips to broken beats layered with the perfect dosage of percussions that have become a signature style of Wisdom Teeth releases.

Forest Drive West - TMS.456

In the past few years, Forest Drive West has become one of the leading figures in the electronic music world to create forward-thinking music with complex rhythms. From slow dubbed down rhythms to fast-paced drum & bass, the London-based DJ and producer does it all with razor-sharp precision. FDW's latest mix for TRAX Magazine is a flawlessly executed journey that can work equally good on your headphones as well as on the dancefloor.

Shanti Celeste - The ‘Ransom Note’ Mix

Idle Hands affiliate and Housework founder Shanti Celeste is known for her uplifting, bouncy style of house and techno. Her latest mix for Ransom Note is bursting with positive energy and vibes, which we desperately need during these brutally cold days in Brooklyn.

Owl - #53

Unknown Species podcast series has got a new gem in their catalog. It comes from brilliant Owl, who delivers an hour of drone undercurrents, psychedelic rhythms, and trippy melodies that create raw emotion and textural aesthetics.

Francis Harris - Kingdoms Potlatch 007

While we are impatiently waiting for the release of Francis Harris' new album 'Thresholds,' which is due in a few weeks, the S&T and Kingdoms founder made a new mix in the Kingdoms Potlatch series and slowly prepared us for what's to come. During these 120 minutes, Francis Harris explores ambient and downtempo realms that evoke warm nostalgia, tender emotion, and deep reflection.

Bella Sarris - Maricas Mix 034

Stockholm-based Bella Sarris brings proper dancefloor vibes in her latest mix for Maricas mix series. Here's what Bella said about the mix: "I'm not exactly a prolific mix releaser, but after visiting Berlin for the first time in 4 years, I really felt the itch to put something out. And where better to get back on the proverbial mix horse than at my pervy, loving home Maricas? So here you have it a recording of me messing around with some of the records I bought in B and others I've been playing at raves back in Stockholm. It's a mix of witchy melodies and cheeky stripped-down grooves. A clubby set, not something to play for your nan at Xmas dinner." 

Aspetuck - Music For New Parents 3

One of my favorite mixtape series of late - Music For New Parents by Aspetuck has a new chapter. The third chapter is a beautifully crafted and immersive journey full of tranquil and melancholic vibes. Here is what Aspetuck said about the mix: "This one might be my favorite of the series for a number of reasons. After an unusually hectic month last month, the new year has kicked off peacefully over here. I bought a ton of new music on Bandcamp last week after a burst of inspiration to record a new mix. A lot of these tunes are ones I've been eager to play for a while, heard in some recent mixes I've been listening to around the house, or just new stuff I stumbled upon randomly. As a new parent, I find myself constantly craving ambient, non club-type music these days - calming music for background listening that won't wake up a baby. It serves as a tool to help me unwind & creates a really nice, tranquil feeling in our house. I had such a nice time recording this one & hope it helps you find a well deserved quiet moment whether you're a new parent or just someone in need of deep breath." 

Christopher Ledger - Animix Sixty Five

C-Series founder Christopher Ledger delivers real ear candy for the latest addition in the Animix series. The mix is a blend of deep & tech house and breaks, and it has dance floor DNA all over it. Put your dancing shoes on, and crank up the volume.

Bradley Zero - RA.816

This is what we need during these bitter cold days here in Brooklyn. Proper summer vibes by Rhythm Section International head honcho, London-based Bradley Zero. The recording is from Sun Cycle Festival in Melbourne, recorded live on January 1st, and it has positive vibes all over it. Get instantly teleported to someplace sunny and enjoy the ride.

upsammy @ DOGMA x Nous’klaer ADE 2021

Another recording that we feature from Nous'klaer's party at ADE comes from Upsammy. Our long-time favorite delivers an hour of fast-paced breaks that create a quite euphoric atmosphere.

The Drifter - We Are the People Of The Night #45

Drifty is back! It's so lovely listening to Drifter delivering proper party vibes in his latest mix for the 'We Are The People of The Night' podcast. It's been a minute since Drifter took us for a ride, so you better get ready. Expect tracks by ZK Bucket, Weval, Tornado Wallace, Fantastic Man, just to name a few, all sprinkled with Drifty magic!

Zeina - IsBurning #98

Cairo-based Zeina is a DJ we'll pay more attention to from now on. Her mix for the Amsterdam-based IsBurning podcast series is an uplifting house music affair that got us dancing from the very first beat. The mix is full of positive vibes that are tremendously helpful during gloomy January days. 

Nuno Dos Santos - Not Another Lockdown Mix

A few DJs can cover a broad spectrum of music as Nuno Dos Santos can when behind the decks. SoHaSo founder is like a music encyclopedia ready to unleash good party vibes . His latest podcast for Subcultuur is a true house music extravaganza. Groovy, uplifting, and engaging...

F-on, Utopian, Vand - Alpenglühen #64

Alpenglühen shows never disappoint. For the January edition, F-on welcomes Utopian and Vand. The trio creates a marvelous, trippy 6hr journey that explores different corners of ambient, downtempo, and deep techno.

Cooking with Palms Trax on Refuge Worldwide

A brilliant, eclectic world music collection by Palms Trax for Refuge Worldwide. The mix is an ideal partner for your next car ride.