Simply the best new dance tracks of the week.
The Dare
Anne Zina
This week in dance music: An experiential performance opening next month in Los Angeles will feature original music by Tokimonsta and Justin Boreta of The Glitch Mob, along with a soundtrack featuring music by Air, Jean-Michel Jarre and Andrew Bird.
Alison Wonderland called out the “loser behavior” of online trolls then spoke some serious truth when adding a “Shout out all the women in the edm scene who have to deal with f–king creeps. I see you. Its gross. I’ll kick all their a–es for u.” Calvin Harris clarified that his previously teased track with Miley Cyrus will not ever be released, with the Scottish DJ previewing a new version of the song that now has vocals from Jessie Reyez.
Spotify launched its “Mix With Spotify” DJ feature that makes it possible for users to users to make and edit transitions between songs within the app and use tools like volume automation, echo, EQ and more. Rüfüs Du Sol made a statement following a fan assault that happened in the crowd at the band’s Saturday (Aug. 16) show at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., a show that was also subject to a lot of feedback from fans who experienced overcrowding and other crowd control issues.
Meanwhile, Insomniac Events filed a lawsuit against the operators for Club Space over a dispute over use of the Miami venue Factory Town, with the operators now preparing a counter-lawsuit against Insomniac. Dom Dolla was announced as a headliner for Australia’s Beyond the Valley and Wildlands Festival. And the DJ Awards announced its 2025 nominees, with the date and location of the ceremony to be revealed in the coming week.
And these, dear friends, are the best new dance tracks of the week.
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The Dare, Freakquencies: Volume 1
We’ve long known that The Dare has a fully formed raver inside him, as his credits include contributed largely to Charli xcx’s Brat and making out with model Sophia Ziskin on national television during Charli’s warehouse party fever dream of a Grammy performance. Today he lets that freak flag fly higher with the aptly titled four-track Freakquencies: Volume 1 EP. Drawing from the coolest realms of dance world influence (think DFA, French touch and acid), the project wastes no time getting to peaktime with its call to arms opening “Kick,” which samples MC5 and packages squelchy acid synths and bright piano stabs into a raucous, almost rock-ish four minutes. The release follows the artist’s recent remix of Justice’s “Mannequin Love” and comes amid his global Freakquencies parties, the next of which happens next month at Portola in San Francisco.
Freakquencies: Volume 1 is out via The Dare Is a Business/Republic Records. Listen to it here.
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Skepta & Fred again.., “Back 2 Back”
Yes, it’s (DJ Khaled voice) another one from Fred again.. and Skepta. Following their June release “Victory Lap” (and its litany of remixes, which stacked up features from Denzel Curry and others) the pair return with the aptly titled “Back 2 Back.” The song is the spiritual followup to “Victory Lap,” maintaining the same ominous vibe but cranking the BPM way down, with Fred’s waves of dark synth do a lot of the production’s heavy lifting and making space for Skepta’s usual machine gun delivery.
“Back 2 Back” is out Epic Records. Listen to it here.
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Sammy Virji, Chris Lake & RoRo, “925”
The two power producers unite for the latest single from Virji’s forthcomign debut album, Same Day Cleaning, coming Sept. 19. “925” pulls off being simultaneously bumping and breezy, with the swaggy UKG production balanced with the sing-song confection of a melody from Barbadian vocalist RoRo.
“925” is out via Astralwerks. Listen to it here.
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SG Lewis & London Grammar, “Feelings Gone”
The new collab from this gaggle of Brits is the definition of lush, with Lewis’ deep, dreamy and percussion forward production laying the groundwork for the instantly recognizable ribbon of a voice from London Grammar’s Hannah Reid. The third single from Lewis’ forthcoming Anemoia, “Feelings Gone” extends the richness and warmth that’s defined the album’s output thus far, effectively (but certainly not accidentally) evoking a feeling of nostalgia for a time you’ve never known, a wistful longing for an era only experienced through stories, music, or images — indeed the very definition of “anemoia.”
Anemoia is coming Sept. 5. via Jasmine Music Limited. Listen to “Feelings Gone” here.
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Mochakk & Kwengface “Legumes”
Just as Fred again.. is currently finding that his considerable powers are squared when he pairs with a rapper via his work with Skepta, Mochakk dials up his already flamboyant style by linking with British drill artist Kwengface on “Legumes.” The track has a certain unhinged quality, with the beats assembled in a way where they seem to almost not match but also comes together in a way that creates the sort of loose and groovy, this whole-thing-is-barely-under-control-in-the-best-way quality that’s one of Mochakk’s signatures.
“Legumes” is out on Disorder. Listen to it here.
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Hugel & Randoree, “Work That Body”
The lyrics from the latest collab from French phenom Hugel and fellow DJ/producer Randoree are concise and straightforward (“Move that/ Work that body”), a command that’s essentially reiterated in the windy, slinky, Latin-forward production that is Hugel’s signature. The track comes amid Hugel’s ongoing residency at Hï Ibiza and a Stateside performance at the Shrine in Los Angeles next month.
“Work That Body” is out on Make the Girls Dance. Listen to it here.
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Zulan & Kidwild, “Match My Speed”
Argentinian-American producer Zulan continues her ascent with “Match My Speed,” which pairs hypnotic Middle Eastern influences with a skittering production and quickfire rhymes from British rapper “Kidwild.” Altogether, the track accomplishes a lot in less than two minutes, while also leaving us wanting more from the artist.
“Match My Speed” is out now. Listen to it here.
