Summer reaching its zenith means one thing in dance music: a ton of new music for DJs to throw at us. Whilst the electronic charts have been positively sizzling over the past few months, during the peak of the sunny season, music labels pull out the big ones.
From Ibiza holiday anthems to banging underground cuts, producers have been weighing in to achieve critical and popular acclaim in 2019. On the island, we dance and play to these tunes with a cold drink in one hand whilst the other reaches for the lasers.
Here are our staff tune selections which we think you can properly sink your feet into.
James Shinra | Signs | Feel My Bicep | 12 July
Feel My Bicep is arguably one of the most forward-thinking established UK labels. Their newest signing, James Shinra is a relatively fresh face to the underground scene, yet his productions show maturity and real producing character.
Complex in structure with those overlaying melodies, this release encompasses an '80s tonal feel, a perfect fit for the nostalgia-themed label. You can catch a Feel My Bicep showcase at Pikes on Sunday 18 August with Hammer and some very special guests on deck duties.
Laurent Garnier & Chambray | Feelin' Good | Rekids | 12 July
French rave legend Laurent Garnier makes a return on Rekids with his first full release since 2017. Joining forces with Berlin dwelling producing prodigy Chambray, Feelin' Good is an uplifting club cut which has dance floors erupt in adulterated joy.
Battle cry vocals kick off this thumping tune, then soaring piano riffs send it into overdrive. Expect to hear this stomper played across big rooms across Ibiza for the rest of the season. Who knows it might be a contender for tune of the summer.
Nic Fanciulli | Miracle (Body Rock) | Crosstown Rebels | 12 July
Nothing can stop Nic Fanciulli in 2019. Whilst holding down his very own residency in the open-air paradise of Ushuaïa, he still finds time to release electronic groovers. Debuting on cutting edge underground label Crosstown Rebels, Fanciulli brings his pure house stylings to the underground brand.
Utilising '90s house diva Jomanda vocals from Make My Body Rock adds a familiar aural note, whilst guitar strings and emotive pads bring this track into its own. For tunes like this, check out Nic Fanciulli at DANCE OR DIE alongside Gerd Janson and Chloé Caillat on Wednesday 14 August.
Roberto Surace | Joys | Defected | 19 July
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you've probably heard this Ibiza season smasher plenty of times. First championed by Marco Carola back in May, it has danced across the sound systems of Balearic sanctuaries ever since.
Hotly tipped to be the track of the summer, Defected signed this bouncy bassline number and added Roberto Surace to their roster. Fancy watching the praised producer in action? He plays Defected on Friday 30 August at Eden.
Apir & Justin Marchacos | Holocene | Cocoon Recordings | 19 July
Whilst Sven Väth and the Cocoon cohorts celebrate 20 years on Ibiza in 2019, back in Frankfurt the label platform is still firing out top-notch techno. Justin Marchacos and Apir bring a melancholic and melody-driven offering to the release table.
It comes as little surprise that Apir is the alter ego project of Tim Green, a long-time Cocoon collaborator. Marchacos is a New Yorker with a whole lot of potential. When you combine the two for the release, the result is a masterclass in haunting rolling beats.
Cristoph feat Jem Cooke | Slowly Burning | Pryda Presents | 19 July
When Cristoph was starting to break through back in 2015, Slow Burning quickly became a popular dub house jam when first released. Four years on, the Newcastle-born DJ and producer has moved away from a classic house structure and toward more progressive territory.
Reworked for 2019, this seven-minute euphoric banger features futuristic synths crossed with punchy percussion. This release appears on Pryda Presents - imprint label of progressive icon Eric Prydz - where Cristoph has been honing his sonic craft for the past couple of years.
You can catch the UK club star at BODYWORKS at Hï Ibiza on Tuesday 10 September.
Maceo Plex | Lonely Tribe | Afterlife | 22 July
It was only a matter of time before Maceo Plex joined Afterlife. Having already smashed out a set at the event's opening, he now presents his debut release, a festival-ready roller which is beautifully heavy.
The American techno star and Ellum label boss has already been making waves this season with the hugely popular club anthem When The Lights Go Out. In comparison, Lonely Tribe utilises the same signature crisp production elements combined to result in an ultimately powerful techno slammer.
We highly recommend heading down to Solomun +1 on to watch Maceo and Mladen smash out a back to back set on Sunday 18 August.
Hot Since 82 feat Jem Cooke | Street Lights | Knee Deep In Sound | 26 July
The long-awaited release of Hot Since 82's newest album elated Knee Deep In Sound fans when it dropped last month. Every single one of the eight tracks shows that HS82 has really grown as an artist, offering a release that satisfies any discerning audiophiles.
Street Lights is just a fine example of the impressive compositions made for 8-track. Deep beat grooves are flanked by dreamy pads and echoing synths. Add in the ghostly vocals of dance music's songstress, Jem Cooke and you have a track that is perfect for early mornings in dark raves.
You can catch HS82 play as Terrace (Vista Club) resident at RESISTANCE on Tuesday 20 August and 17 September.
Petit Beurre | Varun | Motech Records | 26 July
When you think about Detroit underground you don't immediately think Austrian experimental sounds. Well, this is what happened when Frank Juncaj aka DJ 3000 invited producer duo Petit Beurre to join his label.
The entire Vishva EP is a rich and soulful sonic mix of tracks with an old-school vibe. Varun in particular branches out as an atmospheric number, with enough tempo and pace to ignite any techno party via its arpeggiated grooves.
Oscar L | Unique | Truesoul | 29 July
Whilst Adam Beyer's Drumcode tends to steal the limelight when it comes to top releases, this time sister imprint Truesoul steals the show. Oscar L releases his third EP on the label and it is an unequivocal club banger.
Diverse punchy drum sequencing and precise vocal and build-up structure bring this track into a whole new dimension. It is one of those tracks that make your ears prick up following a mighty drop and lock you into a serious rave.
That's your lot for this month. Check back for more new releases in September or head on over to our Spotify channel for all the hottest tunes from all the clubs, updated regularly.
