San Francisco’s Avalon Emerson sent over her new track “Warm Up Love” and I am obsessed. It’s a pretty minimal house-y track, with just enough to keep me pressing repeat. I don’t usually go for this stuff outside of the club, but on this gloomy DC afternoon the claps are hitting just right. She’s only got three tracks on her soundcloud, so I am definitely looking forward to hearing more.

Computer-based production can make it difficult to create music that sounds truly alive. While a producer gains impeccable precision and the ability to compose with a multitude of sounds at the whim of a keystroke, he or she can easily lose the warmth and organic architecture that often comes naturally through live instrumentation. On his new EP release, When You’re Gone (which is available now through Brainfeeder), Lapalux unwinds this inevitable tension through a magnificent set of emotive, beat-driven, sonic environments. With a banner reading “THE ELECTRO/ORGANIC SOUND CONTINUUM” across his website’s homepage, Lapalux seems to land at various points on that continuum at once and to great effect. His fluid transition between each of the 7 pristine, down tempo atmospheres on the EP showcases some of electronic music’s finest living, breathing work. Get it here.

Today I have a THROWBACK for you circa 1995. I heard this song on the radio late last Thursday night and the melody hasn’t left my head since. This very well may have been Monica’s first hit single “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)”. Everything about this song and the video secrete 90′s swag which make it quite the nostalgic gem; hairstyles, poofy jackets, HUGE mobile phone, and a payphone cameo. The beat is timeless and simple, and Monica’s vocals work effortlessly over the track. While this song is undoubtedly a ladies’ anthem, it doesn’t man bash. The message is quite clear: I’m going through some shit today and I need some space. Quite frankly who hasn’t been there?  Check out this blast from the past.

This was one of the first submissions I came across today, and I’m definitely feeling it – I love when that happens. Dalai Lama Renaissance offered up a preview of their forthcoming EP, “I Know You Will”. The tracks are smooth, simple and unassuming, which I find totally refreshing. The three track EP is accompanied by a slew of remixes, including one by D.I.D. fave Stephen Farris. You can pre-order the vinyl (released on February 25th) here.

Ninja Tune is letting us stream this Lapalux remix of Speech Debelle‘s “I’m With It”. The 2009 Mercury Prize winner’s lead single is immediately slowed down, and Lapalux establishes a keen environment of transposed vocals that seem to ricochet off of the Kwes-produced original. It’s an ideal example of what a remix should be, and you can purchase it along with other reworks by Leo Zero, Louis La Roche, and Cooly G when it drops on the 20th.

After just a few seconds I was in love with this video from TOKiMONSTA. A dark robotic side to the track is contrasted with a warm organic one (beatmaking at its best anyone?), and lets not forget rabbits. Oh, rabbits. I am writing this in the middle of the night which is, in my opinion, the best time to listen to this. Visuals were directed by Doug Chang.

January was one of the greatest months for new music that I can remember, and these were some of our favorite songs and artists to come our way.

Lapalux – Gutter Glitter
Grimes – Genesis
Ghost Mutt – Sweat Mode
Parallel Dance Ensemble – Occupied
813 – Pumbleous Bubbles
Hermitude – Hyperparadise
Gang Colours – On Compton Bay
123MRK – Weird
Obey City – Fuck Dat Wobble
heRobust – Facebook Lift
NZCA/LINES – Compass Points
George FitzGerald – Silhouette
Machinedrum – GBYE
S. Maharba – For Someone (Abandonment)
Beat Culture – Before You Go

Oh gosh, it’s Monday again. Start your week off right with this track from Miro Belle. “Matching Saris” is light glitchy pop that’s bound to make winter a little bit more bearable. If you like what you hear, you can grab the whole album for free.

It’s a little more than an honor to have Gavin Handley from Jus Like Music contribute to our Substitute Teachers mix series. The label started out as a blog, and eventually blossomed into a roster of forward thinking artists who are currently pushing the boundaries of what electronic music can be. He also co-hosts a fantastic radio show on NTS that showcases his phenomenal taste in music. This mix consists entirely of Jus Like Music releases, and all of these artists have material that you must check out.

kidkanevil – Zo0o0o0p!!! feat. Oddisee
Paper Tiger – Worldwide Takeover feat. Dudley Perkins (BUG Remix)
Jimmy Flamante – Hey Girl
DZA – Miami Cocktail feat. Nando Pro
Slugabed – Power Of The Mind
B.Lewis – Moon Dancers
Lunice – Perpetual Leisure
BUG – Cosmic Lab
Suzi Analogue + Stalley – Gate 28 (Analogue Radiowave Edit)
Shuanise – Africa (Jet Letts & 10Sumo Remix)
Elroy 4.0 – Nemo’s New Shimmery Coat
Om Unit – Neptune
Mr Beatnick – Plastic Memory
Aaliyah – One In A Million (Klaar remix)
Shankles – Gully Foil
Jesse Futerman – Black Is The Color
S.Maharba – M/L/M/H