If you've left the house at all this summer then the chances are that you've stumbled across the music of Netsky.
Bulging from car stereos, piped out of windows, blasted out of soundsystems – the producer's music has proved to be an inescapable part of 2015.
Entering Autumn with a stately sense of grace, the young producer is still basking in the warm afterglow of new single 'Rio'.
Out now, it established him as one of 2015's real crossovers, a talent taking underground sounds into the charts. Just the sort of person, then, to take charge of our singles round up.
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The Chemical Brothers – 'Sometimes I Feel So Deserted'
One of my favourite acts in electronic music return with this amazing atmospheric rocky banger. This is a fun song. Absolutely love the vocal, as with all their output they really nail it when it comes to a simple good hook. The video is as hypnotising as the music is. It stars a cyborg who's being attacked by men. She has to improvise to survive.
Duke Dumont – 'Ocean Drive'
Duke Dumont kills it again. The vibe reminds me of Nero's last album. If I close my eyes I feel like I'm cruising in Miami looking over south beach. Loving the 80s production, seamlessly combining a real retro feel with a very current sound. Duke has been on top of the game with all of his output the last couple of years. I'm a fan.
James Bay – 'Scars'
Loving some good indie rock every now and then. This song really caught my attention when I first heard it. I try to get inspired by rock music a lot when I work on my own stuff, songs like these just sound incredible. The way the guitar and drums are mixed is just brilliant. It feels like a waterfall of sound when you turn this up loud.
MDNGHT – 'Into The Night'
Only just found out about this song. Love the lyrics, the melody and the drive. I could listen to this on a loop for 10 minutes without getting bored. Check out the video of their performance at MUK sessions. I'd love to see bands like this play in Ibiza, I think the island needs more music and performances like this! I would lose it.
Drake – 'Hotline Bling'
The king of massive hip-hop vocal hooks. I can imagine people at his shows were singing along with "You used to call me on my cell phone" after hearing it only once. Although the beat kind of reminds me of a 60s hotel lounge or a remix of some elevator music – it kind of intrigues me and got me addicted. I can't wait to see this song at a festival in America with thousands of screaming kids shouting the lyrics.
Sia – 'Alive'
Sia is my favourite pop writer. I love how every time she takes the most simple lyrics and makes a massive stadium ready anthem chorus out of it. Sometimes what I miss in mainstream pop is real emotion. I don't 'believe' a lot of singers when they sing emotional lyrics. For me, Sia is one of the big exceptions. She's a goosebumps machine.
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Netsky's 'Rio' is out now – purchase LINK.
