In Strict Tempo, vol. 98: Wrapped Up
I didn’t see much in the way of Spotify Wrapped this year - at least from the people I follow. A few shared it (and no shame to anyone who did - whatever you feel about Spotify or Wrapped or streaming in general it’s still very interesting to see your data presented in an easy-to-digest format). Personally I didn’t share mine because they put their price up by a pound this year, and I’m a petty type of person. The service hasn’t got any better (you could argue it’s got worse, as artists and labels I like have left the platform), so I don’t feel particularly enthused about it at the moment. I think 2026 is going to be an interesting year for Spotify as they decide how best to deal with the gradual shift away from the platform (personally, I don’t think they’ll care too much), and I’m sure they’ll continue to report a billion new subscribers in every quarterly release to shareholders or whatever, but it will only take one or two (brave) major artists to desert the platform to see that shift get more groundswell. I don’t think it’s panic stations yet, but one things for sure, the DISCOURSE we all love so much won’t be going anywhere.
Those year-end lists keep coming, with World of Echo (in typically esoteric zine form) RA and The Quietus amongst those adding to the noise this past week. Obviously the one we’re all waiting for is the Boomkat end-of-year behemoth, which is a highlight of the year for me. The most interesting thing I’ve seen this list season though, was The Quietus’ list of the 25 Best Dancefloor Bangers of the 21st Century so far. I’m surprised this didn’t generate much debate online (or if it did, I didn’t see it). I mostly agree with the list - obviously Transition should be much, much higher, and Easy Lee is shite and should have been replaced by Dexter, but the only glaring omissions I can think of are Two Months Off (of course), Marionette and maybe Rival Dealer. You could probably make an argument for some more commercial stuff too (DFA mix of Deceptacon, Bodyrox, Inspector Norse) but on the whole it’s a pretty bang-on list.
This is almost it for In Strict Tempo this year. There won’t be a newsletter next week, but I’ll be back with some my own End of Year list on the 19th, before winding down for the year.
New Music
Voices from The Lake - II [Spazio Disonibile]
A pre-Christmas treat from Donato Dozzy & Neel, returning for a full-length album together for the first time in over a decade. The original was a classic and one of the most influential albums of the decade, I’d put a large wager on this one being just the same.
Blind Pigs - Even A Blind Pig Finds An Acorn Every Once In A While [BRUK]
Downtempo machine-funk at it’s very finest here, on the Sneaker affiliated BRUK label. Think Dam-Funk doing the Blade Runner soundtrack and you’re not a million miles off.
In Transit - In Transit [FELT]
I think this is the first thing I’ve reviewed that has been on Apple Music but not on Spotify, something the artist/label is well within their rights to do, of course. Anyway. It’s been a fruitful year for Dave Huismans aka A Made Up Sound, firstly returning as ex_libris, and now dropping into the ether as In Transit, exploring a more ambient side to things. A great album and one I’d encourage you to seek out.
Bok Bok - Blood Moon EP [Einhundert]
Oooooh remembers Night Slugs, eh? They were pretty much the label du jour in London’s mid-10’s clubbbb musickkk scene, but seemed to go a bit quiet a few years back. Label head Bok Bok has continued to release music, and his latest is this nice and heads-y EP on Berlin’s Einhundert
The Durutti Column - The Return of The Durutti Column [London]
Okay it doesn’t feature their best song (Otis, since you ask), but The Return of… is by far the best Durutti Column album, and perhaps the best album to come out of Manchester period. Now reissued (thankfully in a normal sleeve) it’s true that no home should be without a copy.
Jeff Mills - Live At The Liquid Room [Axis]
Did you know none of my colleagues know who Jeff Mills is? Unbelievable. Listening to Live At The Liquid Room (now re-released in a 30 year special edition CD) should be part of the interview process if you want to work in dance music. Anyway, listen again, and snap it up if yr CD is fucked/stuck in a car.
