Six Emerging Acts On Our Radar: May 2022
Welcome back to On Our Radar, Beatportal’s monthly roundup of the DJs and producers we can’t get enough of.
JOSH BAKER
This Baker from Manchester’s spent the best part of four years cooking up house heaters that are redefining the genre as we know it. The DJ and producer’s forward-thinking tracks have topped electronic music charts the world over, with his deft DJ skills winning him slots alongside Moodymann, Jaguar and Todd Terje at Fabric, Park Life and Snowdance Festival amongst others. He’s also co-founder and resident of bass-happy label You&Me Records and co-founder of Hide & Seek Festival in Cheshire. Josh Baker’s bangers are making big waves with his house-rooted tracks drawing on 90s rave, electro and minimal with future-facing yet nostalgic results. Baker’s latest EP YM006 on You&Me is no exception, with tracks infused with vertebrae-vibrating basslines guaranteed to turn up the heat on any dance floor.
RONA.
Hailing from central Australia, RONA is a First Nations Kaytetye artist who’s dedicated her life to interweaving the history and narratives of her elders into her art. Her productions are a form of storytelling, and the incorporation of her heritage and identity is integral to her work. RONA releases her debut three-track EP on Rose Avenue on May 20th, with the single “TIOLI” showcasing a delicate and rare ability to balance strength and stillness. RONA’s debut single “Closure” released in April sent shockwaves through Australia’s music-verse, getting features and spins on ABC, TripleJ, SiriusXM Chill and more. The accompanying video, filmed on Kaytete country was featured in MTV’s music video of the week playlist. “Closure” is interwoven with spoken-word from Eastern Arrernte knowledge custodian Helena Buzzacott in her native language.
LUCAS ALEXANDER
A graduate of the university of UKG, Lucas Alexander’s on the verge of a massive year, with his EP FM Dial soon to be released on Richy Ahmed’s Four Thirty Two label. Alexander’s perfected the new sound of tech house, with his glitched-out, playful 4:4 tracks making their way into the sets of Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers, DJ Deeon, Patrick Topping and many more. 2022 started big, with Alexander’s release “La Di Da” premiering on SubSoul and getting play-outs on BBC Radio 1, Kiss and featuring in Beatport’s tech-house charts. Born and raised in Cardiff, the Jamaican-Welsh artist’s early years were influenced by dubstep, breakbeat and UKG. That playfulness shines through his minimal productions, which are full of sampled British chit-chat and unexpected yet perfectly-timed cracked-up beats.
JOPLYN
Joplyn’s recent release “We Will Forgive Ourselves” on Crosstown Rebels is about to get the remix treatment from label-head himself Damian Lazarus and Area10 label boss MK. These remixes, paired with her dramatic, live and hybrid shows will no doubt cement Joplyn’s reputation as one of the most exciting new producers to come out of Berlin. The artist’s character and creativity has built her a strong following and an invitation to speak at Berlin Dance Music Event in 2021 and lead an Ableton Masterclass soon after, which led to Pete Tong naming her one of his Future Stars of 2022. Joplyn’s eery, melodic house and techno productions are infused with emotive and unforgettable vocals. If you’re keen to see what this artist’s all about catch her mini-residency in Ibiza this summer with Hï Ibiza.
MELLE BROWN
Melle Brown’s on a success bender. The London-based DJ/producer creates tracks that blur the lines between neo-soul, jazz and house while adding her own unique, contemporary flair. She released her latest single “One More Chance” on Monki’s &Friends label – a low-key, high-impact house track made for sunset cocktails and rooftop parties. The release follows “Brown Eyes” which got play-outs from BBC Radio 1 and T.Williams, while her Grammy-nominated 2019 Intersection EP won her a global fanbase including the likes of Elton John, Toddla T and Julie Adenuga. Brown’s a regular at London’s Nightales, and this summer she’ll be playing the main stage at Risen Festival and Annie Mac’s Lost & Found Festival. She just launched her own night Melle Brown & Friends at Pop Brixton so London — you better be ready.
GENERALI MINERALI
A key pillar of Tbilisi’s underground, Generali Minerali produces blistering electro and breaks tracks designed to discombobulate and delight in equal measure. The Drama Bar and Tes Club resident has released on some of underground’s most respected labels, including Undersound Recordings, RFR Records, Mind Controlled Rectifier and more. His latest release LBR-003 features a remix from Steffi and makes and breaks all the rules. The opening track “Pumpkins Are Always Sad” is a five-minute tsunami of analog synths, convulsing drums and twisted vocals. “Rhythms Are High” is an off-kilter production full of low frequencies and sweeping pads to create a frenzy of breakbeats that acts as a neural explosion. This forward-thinking producer, DJ and live performer isn’t just expanding the sound of Georgia – he’s pushing the boundaries of the global underground.