Instead of featuring just the Men’s Folio team’s weekly playlists (you can catch up here), however, we’ve opened up the column to friends, industry mates, and people who we think have the right groove.
As one of South East Asia’s pioneers of bass driven music, Singapore based Kiat has been championing the adventurous side of electronica with quality breaks, rolling bass-lines and left field influences over many years. With tunes sought after by the top DJs such as Goldie, Doc Scott, and Marky, Kiat has been featured as the “Leader of the Nu-Skool” in international music magazines. Kiat’s music productions have also aired on BBC Radio 1, 1XTRA and various national radio stations in Australia, Germany and the UK. He is = the co-founder of Syndicate (@syndicatesg), an artist collective and independent music label. Read here for a short introduction to his playlist:
“I’m generally more interested in the new ideas that the future could hold as opposed to a past that we cannot change. This playlist looks at the ways music could unfold, shifting us away from the focus on genres .”
Birdcalls (feat. Kid Koala) — Paul Chin
My favourite track to play out for this season comes from none other than Paul Chin and Kid Koala from Canada! Taken from his amazing album And Under Heaven that just, it’s all about exploring the ideas of Afrofuturism, equity, and renewal — a must to check out!
‘From Nout’ — Nah Eeto x Black Josh
Produced by drum and bass producer Hyroglifics, this slow burner brings across the perfect blend of Kenyan rapper and videographer, Nah Eeto and Black Josh who hails from Manchester. This is definitely one of those riddims where you wished it went on forever.
섹시느낌 SEXY NUKIM (feat. RM of BTS) — Balming Tiger
One of my favourite tracks from last year is this smasher from Korean collective Balming Tiger. The beats are on point and sounds amazing in the club. A creamy bassline topped with an effortlessy slick flows from Omega Sapien, Mudd the student, bj wnjn, and RM just tops it off with class.
Balaclava — Ivy Lab
It’s hard to put in words how much I love Ivy Lab not just for their sound by the way their music has evolved since 2013. Their music has pulled me through the pandemic with its cinematic quality, always allowing me to escape when times are challenging. I’ve always been into the idea of visual music and they definitely top my personal charts.
Butter and Gold — OAKK
You know that feeling when your heart aches in a good way? Oakk’s tunes hits like them every time no matter what genre he creates. This track pulls you into it’s smoky dungeon with it’s warm whispers which is his actual voice. Perfect for the post-club session when you can’t feel your legs but your heart is content.
Pop It (feat. KOONTA) — Blase (블라세)
One of the first Drill artists to come through in South Korea, Blase leads the K-drill charge with his unique flow but is mindful to not be a copy of the popular UK style but instead respond to the existing framework of the music with his own references within his culture. His album Mutlrillverse seamlessly combines Jungle, Bass and even dancehall to give it his own flavour. Check it.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our April 2023 issue.
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