DJ Carl Michaels Presents: 10 Tracks On My Radar This Fall
Just as the leaves are changing on the trees outside, so does my music when fall starts to rear its fresh, crisp, pumpkin-latte-buzzed head.
When choosing tracks for the season, I tend to gravitate toward sexy, cozy and mysterious tunes—something to keep the dancefloors warm as it starts to cool down outside. With that in mind, here are some of the tracks that will be moving me—and hopefully you—over the next few months.
You can find the playlist on Spotify, or enjoy each track in the videos and playlist after the jump.
“Imagine It Was Us” by Jessie Ware
This song is pure sex and mystery. Jessie Ware has proven she can do no wrong, whether she is collaborating (see: “Aaliyah”) or leaving her mark on one of her brilliant solo tracks. This is a blast from her 2012 album Devotion, which, as a whole, is one of the most solid collections of music I have ever heard.
“Blame” by Calvin Harris featuring John Newman
Somebody cheated on somebody, felt bad about it, and then wrote a song about it. And frankly, they didn’t put in too much effort. But honestly, I am a sucker for John Newman’s voice, and this track is high drama, so I got sucked in.
“Never Say Never” by Basement Jaxx featuring ETML
The lead single from their brand new album Junto, Basement Jaxx’s “Never Say Never” carries through the album theme of togetherness and hope, something we can all use going into winter. The production on this track and the rest of the album finds the Jaxx (Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe) at their finest. Go get it if you haven’t yet.
Certainly large in persona (by all accounts of her diva behavior), Ariana Grande hits another one out of the park, this time with Zedd (“Clarity”), turning out a big, cathartic, breakup song of epic proportions. I feel both shameful and shameless for blaring it in my car and at the end of a DJ set, but like the late, great Miss Rivers said, never apologize.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHMUKPD2gj4
Little did many of you know that La Roux was back with a pretty strange pop album with a bit of a Polynesian theme. This one talks about a girl who wants to chill, and her guy who wants to go bang everything walking. We all know a couple like that, no?
“Lost In My Bedroom” by Sky Ferreira
I would love this song even if it weren’t perfectly executed. It describes me just about every morning. A blast from a few years back, I am re-kindling this one, now that Miss Ferreira is no longer relegated to hair-salon elevator music.
“My Love” by Route 94 featuring Jess Glynne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivQSaSNHtoQ
The British songstress now famous for lending her voice to Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be” brings another underground house tune that won’t be for long. This one is warm and fuzzy and ready to lead you into the cold months.
For anyone who’s ever had a rough patch, here’s a feel good tune to get you moving. Another one that sounds straight out of a teen drama. Love her.
“Monument” by Robyn featuring Röyksopp
Always good for theatrics, Robyn (with Röyksopp) bring us a slow-burning dramatic number that will take you places. Float off into space with this electronic opus.
Bey always creeps in, and the Country Club Martini remix of “Flawless” is rocking my dancefloors. This is for the scene in the cluuuuub.
Carl Michaels can be found at Voyeur Nightclub in Philadelphia, and Paradise in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Check him out at carlmichaels.com.
