Adam Beyer

It doesn’t get much bigger than this: Adam Beyer links up with Green Velvet and Drumcode’s outstanding rising star Layton Giordani for a debut collaboration.

Some musical partnerships feel fated. Both fans of one another’s work, for years Adam Beyer and Green Velvet had discussed writing music together. In turn, Beyer’s protégé Layton Giordani had admired the Chicagoan’s work for as long as he could remember. When the 25-year-old found himself playing alongside the green mohawked legend at Belfast’s Shine, the spark and subsequent friendship was immediate. With the links now set in place, it was only a matter of time before the trio’s creative chemistry would manifest musically.

‘Space Date’ was conceived organically and birthed quickly. Propelled by Green Velvet’s trademark vocal hypnotism, the triumvirate combine to craft a pumping intergalactic slice of techno laced in melody that’s highlighted sets by Beyer at Awakenings, Ushuaia and also EDC Vegas when Green Velvet dropped it to a raucous response. The track is complimented by ‘Rome Future’, the product of a year-long series of productions between Beyer and Giordani. Deftly combining crisp drum work, catchy vocal effects and a powerful bassline melody that gives the track an almighty kick, it will be familiar to many who’ve followed their sets over recent months.

Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani & Green Velvet - Space Date - Drumcode - DC193

Drumcode Radio Live this week is Adam Beyer live from Tomorrowland, Boom.

No track list available.

DCR417 - Drumcode Radio Live - Adam Beyer live from Tomorrowland, Boom

The seventh volume of Drumcode’s annual A-Sides compilation hits with no less than 10 debuts for the label, with Charlotte de Witte, ANNA, B.Traits and Scuba’s SCB project, among the collection of topline artists to release their maiden productions on the imprint. 

Over two decades into its lifespan, Drumcode keeps evolving and excelling, pushing techno forward while remaining wholly respectful of its roots. This reputation for progression was further fueled this summer with its inaugural festival at the NDSM Docklands in Amsterdam, featuring a long list of heavyweights including Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati, Amelie Lens and Ida Engberg, among others. 

As ever, the A-Sides compilation provides a timely opportunity to showcase the full range of its sonic repertoire, with Adam Beyer scrupulously selecting 22 unreleased tracks that have taken prime position in his sets over recent months. 

Outstanding all-round talent ANNA kicks off the compilation with ‘Portable Paradise’, a pulsating cut that sets the tone for the top-shelf club cuts to follow. Also entering the debut field with their first ever Drumcode dalliances are B.Traits and Charlotte de Witte. The esteemed Canadian selector offers up ‘I Feel The Music’, a euphonic track that’s been sought after since spring, and the Belgian ballista unlocks a thick-edged club bomb in ‘Remember.’

Leaders of Drumcode’s new brigade, exciting Brazilian Wehbba and British techno alchemist Boxia set out to impress. Wehbba’s straight-talking ‘Just’ hits with an immediate sense of urgency before neck-snap claps strike with force, and Boxia’s ‘Final Call’ elicits physical engagement with mellifluous vocals and soaring pads. 

Continuously looking to bolster the profiles of emerging talent, Berlin-based producers Weska and Juliet Fox are brought into the fold with equally engaging razor-sharp tracks that are primed to do lasting damage. 

Other notable highlights include an exhilarating workout from Reset Robot - the most released artist on Beyer’s imprint Truesoul – as he lands on Drumcode for the first time. And tastemaker’s favourite Jel Ford makes a welcome return as he ushers in techno rhythms with bustling breaks in ‘Nightshade.’

Elsewhere, support from label mainstays comes in from Bart Skils, who offers a work of consummate skill in ‘West Of The Moon.’ Alan Fitzpatrick, who’s been heavily featured across the A-Side series, joins forces with Scuba as he operates as his uncompromising alias SCB. The result is a propulsive floor-gripper that testifies to their masterful deftness as co-producers. Formidable duos Dense & Pika and Pig&Dan also contribute with powerful compositions.

Secret Cinema & Reinier Zonneveld - Pain Thing - Drumcode - DC195

Amelie Lens turns in a sizzling techno mix of Adam Beyer's 'Teach Me'. It's a big-room anthem in the making *head exploding emoji*

There's also an Acid Mix from Amelie included in the release. Grab it via Drumcode on January 28: bit.ly/DC200BP

More exclusive music

Premiere: Adam Beyer 'Teach Me' (Amelie Lens Main Mix)

Pig&Dan signal their first solo outing on Drumcode since 2016, with a stirring four-track work.

The duo stands as one of electronic music’s most prolific artists, shapeshifting between different shades of house and techno over a 15+ year period, all the while displaying a startling breadth that’s ensured their enduring demand. Their relationship with Adam Beyer has solidified over the years, first impressing with a debut EP ‘Mexico’ in 2016, before collaborating with the Swede himself in 2017 for the fantastic four-tracker ‘Capsule’, a notable highlight. With their contribution to last year’s A-Sides compilation ‘La Bruja’ one of the strongest of the bunch, their return for a full-length EP is timely. 

Title track ‘Infinity’ is rave-infused stadium techno crafted to perfection, driven by an undulating melodic lead that builds to a tension-packed break, before the chords re-appear and propel the track toward a trippy finale. Vocal cut ‘Losing Part of Me’ is momentous, with punchy bass and pin-sharp percussion juxtaposing superbly with the emotive vocal and laser-kissed melodic touches. ‘Terrax’ is propelled by woozy synth leads that escalate in intensity, before unexpectedly dropping into a series of soothing synth interludes, before slamming back in with purpose. The EP concludes with ‘Plex’, as a brooding melody line is paired with pumping percussion for an atmosphere-heavy finale. 

Tracklist: 

1. Pig&Dan – Infinity 
2. Pig&Dan – Losing Part of Me
3. Pig&Dan – Terrax
4. Pig&Dan – Plex

Buy all

Pig&Dan - Terrax - Drumcode - DC201

Love music.  That's all there is to it, really.

Adam Beyer

Maria Lewis