Summer is officially here in 4 days, and we’re super thrilled to announce two things that are sure to make the season that much sweeter. We partenered with LA-based clothing label ROOK to produce this limited edition tank which is ready to be worn at all those rooftop/pool parties we know and love. Spoiler alert: it looks a lot like the album artwork above. But it gets better! Toronto-duo (signed to the illustrious Cascine) Southern Shores stepped in to make a shimmering summer mix to accompany the release. Let the chilled out vibes sweep you away.

Tracklist

Deuter – Govindas – Renu – Nivedano – Rupesh – Satsang 4
Mala – Cuba Electronica
Fort Romeau – Nights Bridge
Blind Musical Flames – Big Berin
Masters at Work – Flying High
The Braxtons – The Boss (Masters at Work)
Ill Blu – Overdose
Old Money – Swahili and Dough
RxGibbs – Contact
Classixx – A Fax From The Beach
Four Tet – Peace For Earth
Rex the Dog – Do You Feel What I Feel (Jacques Renault Vocal Remix)
Bonobo – Cirrus
Neneh Cherry + Afrika Baby Bam + Four Tet – Nina
Rokia Traore – Lalla
Toro Y Moi – Rose Quartz
Wildarms – Full Hearts
DJ Koze – Homesick (feat. Ada)
Beanie Sigel – Feel It In The Air
Flako – Mating Dance
Geoffrey Oryema – Makambo

+ More

Jon Hopkins has been in the game for years now, but unfortunately he’s only recently come to our attention. I was initially drawn in to his work through the incredible album preview video for Immunity (see below). It features sublimely beautiful enlarged time-lapse images of food dyes crystallizing, and much like the album they represent, grow and evolve over time while remaining ever-mysterious. It is a truly perfect collaboration, and the behind the scenes video is equally fascinating, check that out here.

Standing alone Immunity is still a breathtaking piece of work. It is designed to be absorbed as a whole and only truly unfolds in a dedicated listening session. Hopkins describes seeing intense colors associated with each track, but I (as I am wont to do) see shifts in weather and moods as well. It is dramatically atmospheric and captivating and almost demands stillness from the listener. Immunity develops over an arc beginning with the title track, reaching its apex with “Collider” – arguably the most straightforward dance track on the album – before working its way down to the much gentler “We Disappear”. Though there are moments of softness here, overwhelmingly the mood is cool and the edges are sharp. The album is rife with drama and tension and given Hopkins’ history of scoring films, it only seems appropriate. In this hectic internet-age it can be challenging to dedicate a solid chunk of time to a listening experience, but if you tried to approach Immunity track by track, it would be nearly impossible to grasp the subtle beauty within it. It certainly doesn’t beg for one’s attention, rather sits patiently waiting for the appropriate listener to wander by. Given the very positive reception at his recent release party in New York, it seems that many are ready and waiting to pay attention. Immunity is out now on Domino, and Hopkins is currently touring worldwide.

Here at D.I.D., we’re a little bit obsessed with Joe Goddard. We had “Gabriel” on repeat for months, and are thrilled to learn of his upcoming Taking Over EP. The first single “She Burns” has recently received this (slightly unsettling) video treatment, but we’re still basking in its gentle grooves. We were given a chance to preview the rest of the EP, and happen to think it’s his best work yet. Be sure to pick it up when it’s out on June 25th.

Brighton-based producer El. Train has been on a roll, releasing an EP a month since December. I first fell for his Emotions EP, but his latest release, the For No One EP is settling very nicely into my headphones. I certainly hope his streak of excellent releases continues throughout the rest of 2013. Check out my favorite tracks from the EP below, plus the added bonus of his track “Dance Tonight (I Wanna)” that slipped through the blog cracks even though I’ve been jamming to it for months. Did I mention that he’s releasing all of these jams for free? It would be well worth your time to dig through his soundcloud.

European festivals always seem to be putting the ones in the States to shame, but this lineup from Unknown Croatia really takes the cake. The powerful forces that are Hideout Festival, The Warehouse Project, and Field Day have joined together to produce this year’s inaugural event. The lineup is pretty unbelievable, featuring many of our favorite artists like Jessie Ware, SBTRKT, Disclosure, Four Tet, Lindstrom, Jagwar Ma and Jamie XX. Oh, did we mention that this is all happening on a beach in Croatia?? The festival takes place September 10th to the 14th, with tickets starting at £109 (kind of a steal for a week worth of music if you ask me). Grab those and learn more about accomadations here. Hopefully we’ll see you there!

We were introduced to Tireme a few weeks ago, with little knowledge of their origins, other than that they recently “emerged from the sea”. We got the chance to ask the duo a couple questions in advance of the release of their Virgin Island EP, and fittingly, their answers have left us with only more questions. They were gracious enough to provide us with this mini-mix, leaving the music to speak largely for itself. Mystery is truly a rarity in this over-informed internet age, and we are loving this enigmatic duo. After all, all you need to know is that pressing play will not disappoint. The EP is out today on Feel So Real.

Where are you from originally?

The Old World.

Is Earth the virgin island?

The earth is young but no longer pure.

Is it hard to breathe?

The air is sweeter here.

Is the vessel in your album art an accurate depiction?

The vessel is hard to reproduce with your colors.

Do you ever get homesick?

We can never return home, we must only look forward.

What’s the last great dream you had?

No human dream can match the feeling of our discovery.

What’s next after Virgin Island?

The future is uncertain…

I will admit that I haven’t checked in with TOKiMONSTA in a while, but her new stuff is sounding way too fresh. Her most recent release The Force EP, features Kool Keith on the title track, and a variety of remixes including this stellar one from A. Chal. His rework dramatically slows down the verse and adds some deep bass, taking it a long way from the pretty straightforward hip-hop original. Stream it along with the original track below, and snag the EP here.

Our friends at Ceremony recently let us know about their latest release from Braxton/Palmer, “Creeper, Pt. 1″ (yes, there is a Part 2) which is accompanied by this appropriately creepy artwork. This dark meditative dance track is laced with a touch of R&B due to a subtle TLC sample (from “Creep” – get it??). It is way too easy to have this on repeat, and soon you will realize you’ve been in a trance for hours, neglecting food water and sleep all for the beat. This is a good thing. The single is officially out today, so get on it.

The beauties at Cascine have wowed us again (surprise) with their latest release from Airbird & Napolian, In The Zone, featuring guest vocals from Erika Spring. There are sun-drenched half-whispered vocals, as is to be expected, but they are met halfway with some deeply funky bass lines, leaving them almost unintelligible. Just as I find myself fully immersed in the tracks hazy beauty, it abruptly ends, leaving me yearning for more. I am left pressing play over and over while daydreaming of white sand beaches and rooftop parties. Summer is around the corner my friends.

Pictures Music can do no wrong. This time they’re bringing us OLUGBENGA – previously known for playing bass in Metronomy – who is now striking out into electronic production on his own. Hafiza [Innocence] is a dense and instantly arresting track. It gains momentum with the addition of vocals, and manages to allow for moments of calm without ever losing the groove. It’s set for release, both digital and vinyl, on May 20th, more information can be found here.