Playlist of the Week: Wata Igarashi
Wata Igarashi
I’m happy to share some of the music that has been on my mind over the last few months. These are tracks that inspire me to imagine a journey and to build a story and a flow when I’m playing. Some of these records have already found their way into my sets, while others I’m still waiting for the right moment to drop, but they’ve stayed with me for their sound design, atmosphere, and sense of movement.
There’s so much music out there, so the question for me is always: what am I really looking for when I dig for records for my DJ sets? I’m often thinking in terms of scenes. A single track can set a scene, a specific space, mood, or state of energy. A few of these scenes come together to form a chapter, and different chapters create the development and flow of a bigger story. That larger story is the journey I want to take the dance floor on.
Those scenes can take many shapes. Sometimes it’s a deep, steady groove that allows me to sink in without feeling overwhelmed. Other times it feels like moving into an unknown space, or like a signal to release something more intense and raw. Just as important are the tracks that connect these scenes and chapters, music that helps the flow move forward, sometimes in a very natural way and sometimes by opening an unexpected door into the next moment.
What draws me to a track is its character. If I can surrender to the sound, lose my sense of time, and stay curious about how it will unfold, that’s usually a strong sign. When a record can pull me out of reality and into its own world, it becomes something I want to use to shape that journey.
Super classy techno from Amotik. I like to play this early in a set as it sets the mood perfectly without being overwhelming. It has a strong groove and a subtle, catchy riff that really feels like a takeoff.
This track has a very trippy, gliding synth on top while the low end stays tight and groovy. It hits both the brain and the body at the same time, slightly on the headier side, but in a very effective way.
Another track that works on two levels, but this one leans more toward the physical side. The synth pattern comes and goes in a hypnotic way, gradually lifting the intensity and pushing the energy higher.
The voice-like pad on top, combined with the percussive groove, is beautiful. It washes away reality and pulls the floor into a deeper space without becoming dark or cold. A very special atmosphere builder.
There isn’t a clear melody, bassline, or riff, but it still pulls you into a strong psychedelic state. Stripped-back, minimal, and very trippy. Played in the right context, this one really hits. I’ve heard plenty of screams on the floor with this track.
There’s a slightly psy-trance feeling in both the sound and the groove that works extremely well. I like to bring this in after going deep, when it’s the right time to introduce an unstoppable forward force.
It starts with a strong, driving groove, but when the noisy pad enters, it pushes everything into a more chaotic and intense zone. A great moment for controlled madness on the floor.
This is a straight banger. Simple, effective, and built for movement. Just let go and move your body.
I absolutely love the break in this track. The way it drops back into that insane groove hits hard and never fails to create a strong reaction.
A deeper, more emotional moment. It works well in the club, but outdoors, this track can really melt the floor. A beautiful way to shift the energy.
