We won't fault you for not realizing that there's more to this week's dance music releases than Daft Punk's return, Random Access Memories. Hell, we imagine some of you were expecting one thing from the androids, and got something different. If you're in that boat, maybe you'll find solace in some of these releases. We tried to space it out, giving you everything from new drum & bass to the abstract. And a Zedd remix. Just don't fret. There is currently more to dance music life than Daft Punk (but not much).
Alix Perez - "Chroma Chords" LP
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: Shogun Audio
Alix Perez' sophomore album, Chroma Chords, isn't the drum & bass fest that some sites might make you believe it is. He explores whatever genre he loves, and has crafted a welcome return in LP form to his style. Contender for album of the year (yeah, we said it).
Royal-T - "I Know You Want Me" EP
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: Rinse
Royal-T's album-length for Rinse last year was a thing of UK garage/grime/bassline beauty, and now he's back with a new EP, picking up right where he left off. The iTunes edition includes the VIP of "Inside the Ride," which is very necessary.
David Boomah - "One World Many Cultures"
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: V Records
David Boomah has been around since 1995 with Shy FX's "Who Run Tings," and now drops his debut LP on V, living up to its title by taking us on a trek through drum & bass, dancehall, dubstep, and so much more. Beats from Serum and Benny Page (among others) don't hurt this at all.
Calibre - "Spill" LP
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: Signature
Calibre's one of the "liquid" drum & bass scene's finest, and this Irish producer is back with his eighth album, still making us recognize the beauty in the world of drum & bass.
Danny Byrd - "4th Dimension" EP
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: Hospital Records
Before the release of his forthcoming Golden Ticket LP, Danny Byrd drops this EP, featuring two original tracks ("4th Dimension" and "Bad Boy (Back Again)"), which includes Flux Pavilion's interesting take on "Bad Boy."
mu-Ziq - XTEP
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: Planet Mu
The androids aren't the only ones back from hiatus; µ-Ziq's XTEP release is his first solo release since 2007, but finds him immediately returning to form. Expertly interesting tracks throughout.
Sinistarr - "I Am Not Invincible"
Release Date: May 20, 2013
Label: None60
The first non-Silent Dust release on None60 comes from one of our own resident beatsmiths. These two cuts are an interesting, jungle-ish take on the juke sound that's making a comeback.
Datsik - "Release Me" Remixes
Empire of the Sun - "Alive (Zedd Remix)"
Release Date: May 21, 2013
Label: EMI
Zedd's release schedule has slowed a bit, but when he comes, he comes correct. This remix of "Alive" had us at hello, and we don't want to see it go.