The underground aficionado Monki celebrates the arrival of her new &Friends singles with some euphoric rave and piano house picks for Beatport’s Playlist of the Week.
What’s good! I’m Monki, and this playlist is full of records that have been grabbing my attention over the last few months. Some edits of some classics and a lot of piano and euphoria involved in some of my choices. My sets have always been quite high-energy or emotive. I love watching people have a good time and no doubt these are some of the tunes I’ll be using in my arsenal over the summer. Enjoy!
Monki’s new single “Get Get Down” drops on March 31st via &Friends. Buy it on Beatport.
Monki – Feels Darker [&Friends]
My first release in over a year. This tune is a culmination of my love for big euphoric breakdowns and a 90s rave bassline. I love a big piano, as you’ll hear in my forthcoming music. I wanted to make something people would reach for the sky for at festivals and hug their mates, but still have them havin’ it on the dance floor. The support and response has been incredible.
Ben Bux – Move It [Bux Edits]
I’ve chosen a couple of records that would fit nicely in a set next to “Feels Darker” and this one does the damage. Driving piano banger, with some nice throwback vocal stabs. You can’t help but dance to this one.
Ultraworld – Northern Piano (Hardcore Piano Mix) [Strictly Rhythm]
Taken from 1991. Dare I say it, one of the most stand-out piano records of that era. Strictly Rhythm is one of my all-time favourite record labels, so had to include something from them. I was listening to a lot of music from this time during the process of “Feels Darker.”
Barry Can’t Swim – Sunsleeper [Ninja Tune]
I mean, this guy never seems to disappoint. Back-to-back records on Shall Not Fade and now giving us heaters on Ninja. He keeps going from strength to strength, who wouldn’t want to listen to this in a sunny field getting silly. What a tune.
Todd Edwards, MANT – Provence [theBasement Discos]
Todd the God talking the gospel. Wicked roller this one, I think these kinds of rolling records are so hard to get right, but when they work… They work. MANTs smashed this one.
Shee – Get Up and Dance [Edible]
Wicked energy from Shee. Bassline kind of reminds me of that French electro era. Shee has released on my label &Friends and delivered probably my favourite remix on the label. So it’s nice to see him releasing on Edible, big.
Layo & Bushwacka!, Paul Woolford – Love Story (VS Finally) (Paul Woolford 2023 Extended Remix) [XL Recordings]
The original is one of my favourite records ever. It holds so many special moments and memories. If anyone was going to do this record justice with a remix, it was the might Paul Woolford. Classy and bumping, it’s going to be heard everywhere in Ibiza this summer, for sure.
Radio Slave – Strobe Queen [Rekids]
If you fancy getting lost for 12 minutes, this ones for you. What I love about Radio Slave is he makes something as elegant as this, and then can also deliver an absolute stomper.
Simon Kidzoo – 1 Thang [Club Bad]
Over the last couple years you can pretty much always rely on Melé’s Club Bad to have a great club record out. Simon Kidzoo returns to the label with “1 Thang.” You know Melé is all about the drums, so that’s exactly what you get. Records assured to make you dance.
Melle Brown – Night Drift [&Friends]
Melle is a super-talented producer and DJ hailing out of London. She returned to my label at the start of the year with “Night Drift” and I’m so happy to have her part of the &Friends family. If you see her on a lineup this year, go & watch her play.
