DJ Charts February 2016: Sleepy Tom, Jorn Van Deynhoven, Klingande, My Nu Leng and Kasra

No one can answer the “Is it a banger?” question better than a booked-up DJ on the frontlines, road-testing new releases on the regular. At the end of each month, we tap a handful of selectors to find out which records have been popping off the most in their sets. These are the hottest jams according to some of our dopest DJ friends, who are also going to throw down at this year’s Beyond Wonderland SoCal. Take it from them; they know what they’re talking about.

Sleepy Tom

If you had to scroll through his SoundCloud because the name didn’t ring a bell, you’ve been hitting that snooze button for far too long, homie. While you wipe the sleep out of your eye, just play along with the rest of us who’ve given props to this newcomer from Vancouver all along. Tom has been on a roll of late, after tacking tunes on to catalogs from the likes of Spinnin’, Fool’s Gold and Mad Decent. The latter houses his collab with Diplo, “Be Right There,” which has likely been on repeat for many of our readers. But what’s been blowing up Sleepy Tom’s spot? These next five heaters, obviously.

Kanye West “Ultralight Beam”

The kind of song that makes you believe in something greater than yourself.

Kanye West “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1”

New Kanye feels like the old Kanye, but still the new Kanye, and I love it.

Dombresky “Pass Me the Lighter”

New EP on Fool’s Gold is sick! Bringing French house into the future!

Jamie xx “Seesaw” (Four Tet Club Version)

Loved this one off of Jamie’s album; proper club take on it.

Majid Jordan “Learn From Each Other”

Great song blending my favourite parts of house and R&B in a fresh way.

Jorn Van Deynhoven

Having his production appointed by Armin van Buuren as the official anthem for ASOT 650, Jorn has been the person you’d point to when there’s an order up for a climactic level of feels. The Dutch phenom has been on a steady rise in the last few years, and trance fans are chomping at the bit to catch him next month when he lands at Beyond SoCal. He just tipped us off with a surprise he has in store for his set on the Dreamstate-curated stage, which has something to do with dropping the world exclusive of his next show-stopper, “We Can Fly.” Before you run off to spread the word on all your socials, let’s find out which tunes Deynhoven has been running through the most in Feb.

Hilight Tribe “Free Tibet” (Vini Vici Remix)

For me, it’s the best festival track right now. It says all when the kick drops in. It’s one of my favourite psytrance singles to date.

Alex M.O.R.P.H. & Liquid Soul “The Journey”

A song that will be in my box for the next upcoming months, “The Journey” has an atmosphere that gives me goosebumps whenever I listen to it. Play this song when the sun rises, and you’ll understand what I mean!

Tiësto “Lethal Industry” (Jorn van Deynhoven Rework)

I made this rework to have something exclusive for my shows. The worldwide reactions are enormous, especially after Armin van Buuren’s support. Tiësto’s melody 15 years later still sounds fresh and catchy.

Andy Moor “Resurrection” (Indecent Noise Remix)

Indecent Noise’s remix shows what’s the next level in 2016. Uplifting elements combined with some banging tech sounds built together in a perfect arrangement. A top tune for clubs and open-air events.

Sean Tyas “Reach Out” (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix)

Giuseppe nailed it with his remix. This is uplifting trance on the highest level.

Klingande

There’s nothing like a little brass action to give your house music that extra somethin’ somethin’. French export Klingande has been winning over house-heads by wailing on the saxo, a move most any of his peers don’t have in their repertoire. With a deep and soulfully subtle undercurrent, his productions pair perfectly with any occasion associated with sunshine. He just dropped a belter of a jam, “Losing U,” which is guaranteed to be in heavy rotation. Speaking of doing the rounds, these are five releases Klingande has been stuck on this month.

Kungs “This Girl”

I have been following Kungs since his very first production. He is young, French, and very talented. His first official release, “This Girl,” is made to be a summer hit. You will love the trumpets in the drops!

Fabich & Ferdinand Weber “Finale”

Nominated at the IDMA awards, my friends Fabich (who will be my guest in the next episode of the Playground Show) and Ferdinand Weber made an awesome release—with almost 1 million views in one month—on this chilled, UK house-inspired track! You can’t miss it!

Michael Calfan “Nobody Does It Better”

Michael does it better! After a succession of amazing tunes like “Treasured Soul” or “Breaking the Doors,” Michael came back with a summer song, with a real hook and his awesome piano melodies. He is definitely one of the best producers I know!

Bakermat & Goldfish “Games Continued”

My saxo brother Bakermat released a #1 HypeM hit with this little bomb, full of joy and with a great sax melody back! Love it.

Autograf “Future Soup”

I met these three guys on tour in the US on a lot of shows, and they continue to amaze me. Their new song “Future Soup” is once again a surprise for your ears, with a very recognizable sound and melodies, with something a bit darker in the production.

My Nu Leng

Tommy and Jammo are packing heat. The Brisotlian duo have been bodying crowds with full metal bits released under their My Nu Leng project. They’re the type of name you’d casually show all your friends with a smug look on your face, like, “Yeah, I know my shit.” With bass-infused bits that could be sold as bullets, they’ve shown time and again that they have the stopping power to tear right through a full suit of Kevlar. Case in point: They know a thing or two about a fire tune, and they’re putting five of the best on blast here from February.

Taiki Nulight, LO99, Cause & Effect “Dominos”

We got sent this a little while ago and love dropping it in our sets amongst the madness. It has a crazy second breakdown that really draws people in. Big vibes!

Klient “Shelter”

This is a really dark, sinister track we have included in our FabricLive mix coming in March. Shout to the Klient guys!

Joedan “Lower My Glasses”

Released on Formula sister label F2. This tune has been in our sets the last month and reminds us of some aggy jump-up drum & bass, but at 130.

Melé “Queen’s Day”

Pure Melé through and through! Cheeky, carnival vibes with a sick breakdown released on Redlight’s Lobster Boy.

Chase & Status ft. Slaves “Control”

The comeback! We have been huge Chase & Status fans since we started getting into music and have been lucky enough to release on their label, MTA Records. This track shows why they are at the top of the game. Teaming up with UK punk duo Slaves is such a different route to what anyone would expect, but the result is pure carnage!

Kasra

Don’t feel bad if you can’t quite put your finger on the Critical Music sound; it’s intended to be that way. The imprint prefers to get behind beats that are less beaten and breaks that have left the mold in a thousand pieces. That’s just how label head Kasra likes to keep things, as he champions cuts that canvas the full spectrum of drum & bass. The Londoner keeps an ear to the underground, and he’s plucked his five favorites from the month. Get your “braps” in order before jumping in.

Alix Perez x Ivy Lab “Stop It”

Taken from their Critical EP, a special collaboration showcasing the best in their combined deft touches and ability to kill the dancefloor without hyperbole. A halftime, low-slung, dirty steppa!

Mefjus “Suicide Bassline VIP”

One of the more popular tracks from his album gets the VIP treatment—a track that’s been leaving people spun-out everywhere I play it. Intense.

Shield & Ordure “Dumflad”

Like a hybrid of ideas from the two previous choices, this is an unrelenting neck snapper.

Klax “The Level”

Critical’s newest recruits with some half-stepping, neuro skanked-out hybrid. Been hurting people for months. Watch out for their next moves.

Mefjus “Expedition” (InsideInfo Remix)

InsideInfo bringing his own brand of funk to one of my favourite cuts from the Emulation album. A subtle yet highly effective twist on the original.