Selections: Elkka
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. This week, as she releases her ‘Euphoric Melodies’ EP on Technicolour, Elkka spotlights warm club sounds made for special dancefloor moments
In this series, Selections, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their Bandcamp collections. While hearing new music played out by your favourite selectors has been put on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s never been easier, or more important, to support the artists and imprints releasing tracks, albums, EPs and comps in the midst of all the madness. In lieu of opportunities to discover new records on the dancefloor, Selections will give you the chance to nab sounds from the crates of tastemakers, and support the people behind them while you’re at it. Win-win, right?
This week, Elkka spotlights warm club sounds made for special dancefloor moments, featuring the likes of Sofia Kourtesis, Ehua, Mr.Mitch, Nabihah Iqbal and more. Co-founder of the Best Of British award-winning label femme culture, the London-based DJ and producer has spent the past few years building her name on the scene. Her sparkling modern house sound bristles with the excitable energy of a night out, and comes packed with playful rhythms and wiggly synth-work designed to keep dancefloors moving. Even when clubbing stopped in 2020, her ‘I. Miss. Raving.’ release for Local Action perfectly summed up the collective frustration of the scene in wistful atmospherics, snatched samples and a heartbeat-like pulse.
This month she’s back with another EP, this time for Ninja Tune offshoot Technicolour. Dubbed ‘Euphoric Melodies’, across five tracks we’re once again transported back to the dancefloors we sorely miss. Among the bubbling arpeggios and velveteen pads there’s a reassuring warmth and more than a glimmer of hope — a fitting vibe as the return to raving begins to become a reality. You can check it out here.
Dig into Elkka’s Selections below.
“This is the evolution from spring to summer in a song for me. Love the recent EP and this track just oozes hope and sunshine, which we all need a bit of right now! Great as a set opener (I imagine...).”
“This moody, hypnotic number is such a builder, the kind of song you can lose yourself in totally on the dancefloor. She is a percussive Queen for me! Big fan of Celine’s and loved seeing her success following on from her debut with femme culture.”
“This track is infectious and warm and instantly caught my ear. The combination of the plucky and waning guitars really appeal to me and love, love the vocal stabs that come in. An all-star producer for me.”
“This previously unreleased track was put on sale to raise money to help a girl called Arusa and her family in Karachi, Pakistan. I highly recommend going to read her story on Nabihah’s Bandcamp and supporting this release. Not to mention this song is so unbelievably beautiful and haunting.”
“Building layers of percussion... four words that always turn my musical senses on! This is so, so good and I cannot wait to play it out. Again, it has such warmth and the ability to take you out of yourself. Love it.”
“As soon as I heard this my brain and body started to crave the club! This song is a moment changer for me. Something you play knowing it’s going to take the energy into a different space. It rumbles along with a gliding, propelling synth line. Superb.”
“I am a huge Overmono fan like many of us and always admire their ability to move through a track into different moments and feelings with such grace and effortlessness. I am desperate to hear this wobbling low-end bassline permeate through a club or festival. Another banger from them.”
“Loveeee Bambi! Released on his own label, ‘Cascade’ is a bouncy, mesmerising, rhythmical masterpiece. I dare you not to move when you hear this.”
“Another warm, percussive number that lets you float on the dancefloor. This track is my favourite from his new EP. Adore his organic soundscapes. This is a real gem.”
“Whispery sensual vocals — I am there. This is massive. Anunaku and AD93 have done it again. I can already tell this heady and compelling track is going to be something I turn to time and time again for those close your eyes and feel moments.”
