art by George Bokhua

Our guide to the best new albums, singles, and live mixes released in February.

Best albums

February 2020

Against All Logic - 2017 - 2019

[tech house]

2017-2019 is darker and more introspective [than AAL - 2012 - 2017], but retains a beat-driven edge that makes you want to move, but unsure of how. The stylistic elements of this record range widely: the 4-4 of house, techno melodies, tribal rhythms, sirens, and industrial sounds are all cut up and assembled with irreverent tact. [Louis]

King Krule - Man Alive!

[art rock, post punk]

Man Alive! Is an absorbing consolidation of Archy Marshall’s inimitable sound. Marshall’s distinctive voice is front and center over chaotic atmospheres that meld together a powerful concoction of garage rock, hip-hop, and dark jazz. Man Alive! Is King Krule’s most anguished album yet, in which impending fatherhood collides with his habitual torments. [Alek]

Caribou - Suddenly

[deep house, psychedelic pop]

After 5 years away from the Caribou moniker Suddenly finds Dan Snaith in his element, writing beautifully endearing tunes and setting them to multi-layered production in a way only he can, and the results are spectacular. Suddenly forgoes some of the easy listening pop melodies of “Our Love” for a slightly more experimental but still accessible record with absolutely stunning production. [Alek]

Eris Drew - Fluids of Emotion

[deep house]

Eris Drew finds her niche combining funky drum and bass with questioning spoken-word poetry. Hypnotic techno elements bridge the gap between the beat and poetry.  These grooves will make you simultaneously probe your desires and feel yourself at once.

Gil Scott-Heron & Makaya McCraven - We’re New Here

[nu-jazz, avant- jazz]

Makaya McCraven reimagines Gil-Scott Heron's final album into a masterpiece of dirty blues and spiritual jazz brimming with a newfound joy.

Christine and the Queens - La vita nuova

[synth pop]

A triumphant EP led by the comforting and infectious single “People, I’ve been sad”. Christine captures the modern fomo and makes it common ground. She finds what we believe divides us and uses it to unite. This album is danceable, thoughtful, and relatable in a way that pop has failed to deliver for its audience. [Jake Cody]

Grimes - Miss Anthropocene

[art pop]

Miss Anthropocene is peak Grimes, a concept album anthropomorphizing climate change as a vengeful spirit with an axe to grind.

Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats - UNLOCKED

[harcore hip hop]

UNLOCKED is another solid entry into Denzel Curry’s discography. His incredible flows work alongside some stellar production from Kenny Beats to create this some of the best bangers of the year. Lyrically, Curry weaves video game and movie references, some flexing, and good old fashioned bars, making the tracks on UNLOCKED punchy, and a ton of fun to listen to. [Liam]

HMLTD - West of Eden

[glam punk, art pop]

The long awaited debut full length record from British rockers HMLTD finally dropped this month and it exceeded the hype. Their glam punk roots shine through on tracks like “To the Door”, album opener “The West is Dead” is a unique post industrial track, and they even managed to throw in some New Wave with “Mikey’s Song”. One the most interesting musical points of the record is the two part “Joanna” story that comes across as a macabre carnival soundtrack, the likes of Brenden Urie could only dream of creating. It’s impressive how they managed to jump between so many genre influences, rerelease a number of singles, and still have the final project be cohesive and fully realized. [Liam]

Navy Blue - Àdá Irin

[abstract hip hop]

Born Sage Elsesser, Navy Blue is a former skating phenom and Supreme model turned recording artist who began posting his music to Soundcloud in 2015. Navy Blue shows much pride in his debut album, bringing a mix of glitchy jazz beats and intimate bars similar to rappers

Beatrice Dillon - Workaround 

[experimental club]

Workaround is a stunning experiment in left field club music.

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Best singles and music videos

February 2020

JPEGMAFIA - BALD! [experimental hip hop]

100 Gecs - Ringtone (remix) [electropop]

Yves Tumor - Gospel for a New Century [neo-psychedelia]

The Strokes - Bad Decisions

Phoebe Bridgers - Garden Song [indie folk]

Bladee, Ecco2k - Girls just want to have fun  [synthpop]

Four Tet - Baby [future garage]

The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You [neo soul, neo psychelia]

Purity Ring - Stardew [synthpop]

Thundercat - Dragonball Durag [neo soul]

Car Seat Headrest - Can't Cool Me Down [indie rock]

Gorillaz - Désolé ft. Fatoumata Diawara

Best mixes and sets

February 2020

Dekmantel Podcast 271 - DJ Plead

Caribou - Essential Mix 2020-02-29

Crack Mix 337 - Beatrice Dillon

Skip ahead to about minute 42 and at least listen to the last 20 minutes, you won't regret it

Dekmantel Podcast 270 - Eris Drew

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