Six Emerging Artists On Our Radar: November 2022
Welcome back to On Our Radar, Beatportal’s monthly roundup of the DJs and producers we can’t get enough of.
LUKE ALESSI
When RÜFÜS DU SOL played Luke Alessi’s latest single “Scuze Me” at their sold-out Brooklyn Mirage show this summer, the dance floor almost imploded. Since then the track’s been synonymous with the sound of summer ’22, and now it’s finally out on Rose Ave for anyone to get their mitts on. Since 2018 the Australian producer’s been releasing his hypnotic, house/techno fusion on some of progressive dance music’s most revered labels including Mobilee Records, Desert Hearts Black and RADIANT. He’s gearing up for a busy summer down under, supporting RÜFÜS DU SOL on tour and mesmerising crowds at festivals such as Lost Paradise, Beyond The Valley and Let Them Eat Cake as well as SiriusXM Chill and Triple J’s airwaves. With Adriatique, Adana Twins, Damian Lazarus and Cassian counting themselves as fans, get used to hearing the emotive sounds of this artist.
ANIMISTIC BELIEFS
Influenced by cultural concepts such as ancestry, animism and mythology, as well as the politics of techno, punk and IDM, Linh Luu and Marvin Lalihatu AKA Animistic Beliefs are redefining underground culture. Since their first release in 2018 the pair have become aural visionaries, taking their listeners on a kaleidoscopic journey through their overactive minds, while their stage shows are unforgettable, immersive and outrageous spectacles. With Vietnamese and Chinese roots, the Rotterdam-based duo just released their latest album, Merdeka on NAAFI. The album is a departure from Western club music and a sonic space where fast techno, warped breakbeats and ambient soundscapes make way for the augmented influence of Southeast Asian tribal music. The album follows CACHE/SPIRIT, their ongoing collaboration with visual artist Jeisson Drenth, which explores the artists’ intersectional identities.
EDEN SAMARA
No one does it quite like Eden Samara. The Canadian singer, songwriter and producer has a voice and song-writing style that transcends genres; a skill clearly demonstrated in her debut album Rough Night, out on independent label Local Action. Her LP single “Sophie” is an eery journey through pop-electronica, while the remaining seven tracks on the project glide between r ’n’ b, club-pop, indie electronica and everything else in between. Listen out for collaborations with some of the most exciting producers in contemporary club music including Call Super, Shanti Celeste, TSVI and Loraine James. The album follows releases on Hyperdub and Can You Feel The Sun, as well as critical acclaim from Pitchfork, The Guardian, DJ Mag, Crack, Rolling Stone and more.
OLIVE T
Performer, producer and DJ Olive T is no stranger to New York’s DIY underground. Inspired by US house, reggae, soca, jazz and Detroit techno, her productions are as catchy as they are energising. Now the artist has teamed up with LA-based label SOS MUSIC, an imprint that champions female and gender minority producers to release her Maintaining EP. The focus track “We’ll Maintain” was a lockdown creation and the artist’s first venture into pop using her own vocals. “Take You Too” is a chopped up, percussion-heavy club-ready track, while “U Already Know” is a self-proclaimed hype-track that takes influence from the progressive electronic sounds of the 80s and 90s. You can hear her masterful DJ skills in venues such as Elsewhere, House of Yes, Avant Gardner, Le Bain as well as on The Lot Radio, NTS and BBC.
SATL
Polish artist Satl’s productions demonstrate a depth of maturity far beyond his young age. Last month he dropped his single “Standing By” featuring SAÍGO — the first single to precede his new album via Lenzman’s The North Quarter imprint. The soothing, hazy drums and steady bass makes the production instantly recognisable, and SAÍGO’s rich, textured vocals nod to Satl’s soulful roots. His new album, titled Gloom, spans garage, breaks, UK bass music, techno and soul alongside low-tempo, ambient moments. “I never wanted to be boxed into one style/genre,” he says. “But I think I just wasn’t brave enough as an artist to really push the agenda forward until now.”
FIYAHDRED
South London’s Fiyahdred is on a mission to bring their rhythmic, laid-back, bass productions to the masses. The artist is no stranger to the big-time – they gained a following under the name Bamz, performing at Boiler Room, Wireless and Glastonbury and working closely alongside London rapper Nadia Rose. With their Fiyahdred project, the artist is moving in a new direction; one that exercises their vocal and production skills while bringing fresh sounds to London’s underground. On November 3rd they released “Got 2 (Let It Go)” on Rhythm Section International, which follows their critically acclaimed Anyway EP on Hyperdub, a 5-track journey through gqom, bassline, g-funk and everything else in between. With recent performances at Fabric, Oroko Radio and Soup Manchester as well as support from Scratch DVA, Jamz Supernova and Sally C it looks like this artist is going places… again.
